TransNamib is seeking to lease diesel-electric locomotives to address operational capacity constraints and improve service reliability while it advances a multi-billion-dollar fleet modernisation programme.
The state-owned rail operator has issued a tender for the leasing of locomotives, a move it says is intended as a temporary measure to support operations as it works towards acquiring and refurbishing its long-term fleet.
TransNamib Manager for Corporate Communications, Alina Garises, said the company is currently assessing the leasing of a limited number of locomotives, although the final number of units, lease duration and associated costs have yet to be determined.
“The leasing initiative is complementary, aimed at bridging capacity constraints while the long-term fleet modernisation programme is implemented in phases,” Garises told The Brief.
The move comes as TransNamib seeks to improve locomotive availability amid ongoing efforts to restore rail freight volumes and strengthen operational performance.
Funding for the company’s long-term locomotive acquisition programme has already been secured through the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). According to TransNamib, revenue generated from the leased locomotives will be used to cover the leasing costs.
Garises said the company’s broader fleet renewal programme remains on track, with an independent technical evaluation of locomotive manufacturers already completed and submitted to management and the board for consideration.
“The company’s long-term locomotive procurement and refurbishment programme remains firmly in place. An independent technical evaluation of locomotive manufacturers has been completed, and the report has been submitted to TransNamib’s management and board for consideration,” she said.
The procurement and remanufacturing process will proceed through the Central Procurement Board of Namibia in accordance with the Public Procurement Act.
The leasing initiative comes as TransNamib continues to pursue plans announced by Chief Executive Officer, Desmond van Jaarsveld, to remanufacture 20 locomotives at an estimated cost of N$978 million.
The programme is expected to cost about N$48.9 million per locomotive, roughly 60% of the estimated N$67.4 million required to purchase a new unit. Procuring 20 new locomotives would cost approximately N$1.34 billion.
The remanufacturing project forms part of a broader fleet renewal strategy under which TransNamib plans to invest N$1.7 billion in the acquisition of 23 new locomotives to strengthen Namibia’s rail transport capacity.
