A new freight rail corridor between Walvis Bay and Karibib is expected to transport up to 25,000 tonnes of cargo per month, removing an estimated 735 trucks from Namibia’s roads every month and cutting annual carbon emissions by approximately 900 tonnes of CO₂.
The corridor, launched by Kaleido Logistics and TransNamib in July 2026, is supported by a new logistics hub in Karibib designed to improve cargo consolidation and strengthen rail connectivity between the Port of Walvis Bay and inland markets.
Located alongside the railway line with direct access to TransNamib’s network, the Karibib hub has been developed to handle cargo storage, loading, unloading and transshipment, with the aim of reducing transit times and improving supply chain efficiency.
The facility is equipped with specialised cargo-handling equipment and will consolidate marble, granite and other commodities from the Karibib region, providing exporters with an alternative to road transport.
Kaleido Logistics Chief Executive Officer Xoán Martínez said the project marks a significant expansion of the company’s logistics network in southern Africa.
“The launch of this rail corridor, together with the opening of our new logistics hub in Karibib, represents a strategic step in strengthening our presence in Namibia and continuing to develop integrated logistics solutions across African transport corridors,” Martínez said.
He said the company intends to build on its existing rail operations in Angola, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, describing the new corridor as a competitiveness driver for Namibia.
The companies said the service is based on a cargo consolidation model designed to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of rail transport while complementing existing road freight services.
The corridor will accommodate both bulk and containerised cargo, supported by Kaleido’s international ocean freight operations to provide integrated multimodal logistics solutions.
TransNamib Chief Executive Officer Desmond van Jaarsveld said the partnership supports the company’s strategy of repositioning rail as the preferred mode of transporting bulk and containerised freight.
“This partnership demonstrates TransNamib’s commitment to revitalising rail as the backbone of Namibia’s logistics network. By working with strategic partners such as Kaleido Logistics, we are creating efficient, reliable and sustainable freight solutions that strengthen the country’s position as a regional logistics hub,” he said.
Van Jaarsveld said the Walvis Bay-Karibib rail corridor will improve supply chain efficiency, reduce congestion on the route and contribute to Namibia’s broader economic development objectives through increased use of rail freight.
“The Walvis Bay-Karibib Rail Corridor not only enhances supply chain efficiency for our customers but also contributes to reducing road congestion on this specific route, lowering carbon emissions and supporting Namibia’s broader economic growth agenda. This is another important milestone in our journey to reposition rail as the preferred mode of transport for bulk and containerised cargo,” he said.
