TransNamib, Kaleido Logistics launch Walvis Bay rail corridor to shift 25,000 tonnes monthly

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Kaleido Logistics and TransNamib have launched the Walvis Bay to Karibib rail corridor, creating a new freight connection aimed at improving cargo movements between Namibia’s main seaport and inland production areas. The service entered operation in July 2026 alongside the opening of Kaleido’s new logistics hub in Karibib, strengthening the country’s rail freight network and providing an alternative to long distance road transport.

The initiative reflects a broader effort to increase the role of rail in Namibia’s logistics sector while supporting industries that depend on reliable inland transport. The corridor is expected to serve mining, construction materials and containerized cargo, with the partners positioning rail as a complementary mode rather than a replacement for trucking.

Located adjacent to the railway and directly connected to TransNamib’s infrastructure, the Karibib facility expands Kaleido’s logistics footprint beyond its existing operations in Walvis Bay. The hub has been designed to handle storage, cargo consolidation, loading, unloading and transshipment activities, allowing freight to move more efficiently between inland customers and export gateways.

Karibib sits in one of Namibia’s key mining regions, making it a logical location for consolidating heavy commodities before they are transported to the coast.

The facility is equipped with specialized cargo handling equipment and supported by personnel experienced in rail logistics and terminal operations. Initially, the operation will focus on marble and granite blocks, while remaining capable of handling a wider range of bulk cargo and containers depending on customer requirements.

For mining companies, the model offers an opportunity to consolidate shipments closer to production sites before transferring cargo onto rail. That approach can reduce trucking distances, lower inland transport costs and improve scheduling between mine, terminal and port.

The corridor also benefits exporters moving cargo through Walvis Bay, which continues to strengthen its role as a regional gateway serving southern Africa.

The partners expect the corridor to handle as much as 25,000 tonnes of freight each month. Based on average truck payloads of 34 tonnes, that volume could eliminate approximately 735 truck movements from Namibia’s roads every month.

Beyond transport efficiency, both companies highlighted the wider impact on infrastructure and sustainability. Fewer heavy vehicles on the highway network could improve road safety, reduce wear on public infrastructure and lower logistics related emissions.

According to project estimates, the modal shift from road to rail could reduce carbon emissions by around 900 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Those figures underline a growing trend across southern Africa where governments and logistics providers are seeking to restore rail’s role in long distance freight movements as road networks face increasing congestion and maintenance costs.

For Kaleido, the new service extends an African rail network that already includes operations in Angola, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Xoán Martínez, Chief Executive Officer of Kaleido Logistics, described the launch as a strategic step that strengthens the company’s presence in Namibia while expanding integrated logistics services across African transport corridors.

He said the partnership with TransNamib builds on experience gained in neighboring markets and positions the new corridor as a competitiveness driver for Namibia. Martínez added that the company’s ambition is for the service to become the foundation for further logistics development rather than a standalone project.

From TransNamib’s perspective, the agreement supports the railway operator’s strategy to reposition rail as the preferred option for bulk and containerized freight.

Desmond van Jaarsveld, Chief Executive Officer of TransNamib, said the partnership demonstrates the company’s commitment to revitalizing rail as the backbone of Namibia’s freight network.

He said collaboration with logistics partners allows TransNamib to deliver more reliable and sustainable transport solutions while strengthening Namibia’s position as a regional logistics hub. He added that the corridor improves supply chain efficiency for customers while helping reduce road congestion, lower emissions and support the country’s broader economic development objectives.

Rather than competing directly with road transport, the corridor has been developed around a cargo consolidation model that combines the strengths of both transport modes.

Could rail and trucking become stronger together instead of competing for the same freight? That is the approach Kaleido is pursuing across several African markets.

The company manages both bulk commodities and containerized cargo, selecting the most efficient transport combination according to cargo characteristics and available maritime services. Its global ocean freight operations also allow inland rail transport to be integrated with international shipping under a single logistics provider, simplifying cargo movements from origin to destination.

The partners will formally introduce the Walvis Bay to Karibib rail service during the Namibia Mining Expo and Conference in Windhoek from August 4 to 6, where both companies will exhibit and present the new logistics solution to mining and industrial stakeholders.