The Walvis Bay Corridor says it recorded a surge in cargo volumes to 2.4 million tonnes in 2023 from the 1.6 million tonnes recorded in 2022.
Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) CEO Mbahupu Hippy Tjivikua said the growth can be attributed to a two-pronged strategy – business development and trade facilitation.
He also said the group actively targets new markets and cargo opportunities while simultaneously streamlining processes to reduce delays and minimise non-tariff barriers.
“So, basically, we want to have the fastest turnaround times from pit to port, when a truck is moving from the mine to the port. Or from the mine going to deliver cargo anywhere to have more efficient routes,” he said.
Tjivikua further explained that the WBCG anticipates continued growth despite being cautious about setting overly ambitious targets.
He acknowledged the potential for further volume increases, especially with the removal of trade barriers and the development of new infrastructure projects like the Trans-Kalahari Railway.
Meanwhile, Namibia and Botswana have reignited efforts to construct the Trans-Kalahari Rail Project, a major infrastructure initiative designed to further enhance regional connectivity.
According to the CEO, construction on the railway is expected to commence in 2026 after a successful bidding process which saw 12 contractors vie for the contract to construct the railway line.
“It is at a phase now where the expressions of interest were issued late last year, and the project office is currently busy negotiating with those that have been shortlisted to go to the next stage. I don’t want to pre-empt the process at this moment, but it is positive in a sense that we are looking for the key players to come in and lay the rail infrastructure that will connect Namibia to Botswana, all the way up to the Mmamabula area, where there is a lot of coal deposits,” he explained.
The planned rail link between Namibia and Botswana is expected to be a game-changer, particularly for Botswana’s coal industry.
Currently, road transportation dominates coal exports, but it is a costly and less efficient option. The Trans-Kalahari Railway promises to significantly reduce these costs, potentially revitalising Botswana’s coal exports and creating a more sustainable transport network for the region.
