Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Organization

TransNamib

Also known as: the national rail liner · Namibia's national rail operator

State-owned rail operator managing Namibia's railway network; currently piloting hydrogen-diesel locomotives and investigating recent derailments.

Mining & Energy

TransNamib pilots hydrogen-diesel locomotive in emissions trial

The News

State-owned rail operator TransNamib has secured board approval for a six-month trial of a dual-fuel hydrogen-diesel locomotive on the Walvis Bay-Windhoek corridor in partnership with local maritime hydrogen specialist CMB.Tech. The pilot will assess fuel consumption, reliability, operational efficiency, maintenance and cost-effectiveness, with potential fleet transition contingent on trial outcomes.

2 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 April

  1. TransNamib pilots hydrogen-diesel locomotive in emissions trial

    State-owned rail operator TransNamib has secured board approval for a six-month trial of a dual-fuel hydrogen-diesel locomotive on the Walvis Bay-Windhoek corridor in partnership with local maritime hydrogen specialist CMB.Tech. The pilot will assess fuel consumption, reliability, operational efficiency, maintenance and cost-effectiveness, with potential fleet transition contingent on trial outcomes.

    2 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 1 April

  1. TransNamib train fatally strikes pedestrian near Okahandja

    A pedestrian was killed after being struck by a TransNamib train near Okahandja on 31 March 2026, the third train incident recorded in March. The train was travelling at 52 km/h within the speed limit when the pedestrian attempted to cross the railway line in a non-residential area.

    1 April 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Male pedestrian killed after being struck by train near Okahandja

    A male pedestrian died on Tuesday afternoon near Okahandja after attempting to cross railway tracks and being struck by a train travelling at 52 kilometres per hour, within regulated speed limits. TransNamib said it maintains strict safety measures and is expanding community outreach programmes to educate the public about railway safety.

    1 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 26 March

  1. Train accident causes amputation of child in Oshivelo area

    A TransNamib train accident in the Oshivelo area on 24 March resulted in the amputation of a one-year-old's leg. An LPM parliamentarian attributed the incident to a contractor's failure to clear bushes in the area, prompting questions about compensation avenues for TransNamib-related injuries.

    26 March 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. TransNamib investigates suspected tampering in Swakopmund train derailment

    A TransNamib train derailed near Swakopmund on Monday night at 28 km/h, with preliminary indications suggesting possible tampering with rail equipment; no injuries were reported and damage was minimal, with re-railing expected to be completed shortly.

    25 March 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Minister to investigate alleged conflicts in N$175m rail contract

    Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi has pledged to investigate allegations that TransNamib executive engineers who are board members of a joint venture improperly awarded a N$175 million railway maintenance contract without proper procurement processes. TransNamib denies the allegations, stating it adheres to all procurement procedures and holds 51% of the joint venture.

    25 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 March

  1. Namibia's railway network needs urgent maintenance and public-private collaboration

    A railway maintenance company argues that Namibia's ageing rail infrastructure, managed by TransNamib, requires proactive maintenance, clearer accountability, and closer partnership between government and private contractors to improve safety, reduce costs, and create skilled employment for young Namibians.

    18 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 March

  1. TransNamib launches inquiry into Rovos Rail derailment that killed two

    TransNamib is investigating a derailment of a luxury Rovos Rail train about 100km from Keetmanshoop that killed two people. A nine-member panel will conduct a departmental inquiry next week in Keetmanshoop, examining the circumstances of the incident, safety procedures, and potential maintenance lapses.

    13 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia tests first green hydrogen-powered freight locomotive

    Namibia is preparing to launch its first heavy-duty freight locomotive powered by locally produced green hydrogen later this year, a partnership between CMB.Tech Namibia, TransNamib and Africa Global Logistics. The hydrogen-powered locomotive will operate between Walvis Bay and Windhoek for a trial period of 50 round trips, with hydrogen produced off-grid at CMB.Tech's plant in Walvis Bay.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 6 March

  1. Namibia tests first green hydrogen-powered freight locomotive

    Namibia is launching its first heavy-duty freight locomotive powered by locally produced green hydrogen later this year, a partnership between CMB.Tech Namibia, TransNamib and Africa Global Logistics. The dual-fuel locomotive will conduct 50 round trips between Walvis Bay and Windhoek, with hydrogen produced off-grid at CMB.Tech's plant in Walvis Bay.

    6 March 2026 · The Namibian →

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