TransNamib buys new locomotives
TransNamib now owns 97 locomotives, of which only 52 are operational.
State-owned railway enterprise TransNamib has bought six new General Electric locomotives from Brazil that were offloaded at the port of Walvis Bay on Friday.
They are expected to be operational in about two weeks, TransNamib acting CEO Mbahupu Hippy Tjivikua said.
He received the trains at the harbour and said they cost about N$300 million, which was sourced from the government.
TransNamib now owns 97 trains, of which only 52 are in working order.
The old locomotives have been in use for over 50 years - double the normal lifespan of between 20 and 25 years.
“These are the best locomotives TransNamib ever bought. They have modern technology and are fuel efficient. I have no doubt that they will serve their purpose,” Tjivikua said.
He said the procurement process started two years ago.
He said it was necessary to buy new trains to replace ageing stock, adding that TransNamib expected the new trains to increase its profit because more goods could now be transported.
“We need to acquire 80 extra trains in the next four years for us to be able to say we are at a good standard,” Tjivikua said.
Ageing railways are another challenge for the company but Tjivikua said it was receiving attention.
“We cannot bring new trains to use on old railway lines, so what we are going to do in the meantime is to repair the railways.
“The existing infrastructure is very old and to overhaul the entire system would require funding of approximately N$15 billion.
“We are starting 2017 on a very positive note not only for TransNamib but for the whole of the country. This is definitely one of the best procurements done by the company in the last 50 years. General Electric is a very efficient manufacturer and supplied us with one of the most reliable locomotives (including service plans) on the market.”
According to a reliable source some of the 17 locomotives purchased from China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Corporation in 2014, in addition to the four purchased ten years ago for N$44 million, are being refurbished.
OTIS FINCK
They are expected to be operational in about two weeks, TransNamib acting CEO Mbahupu Hippy Tjivikua said.
He received the trains at the harbour and said they cost about N$300 million, which was sourced from the government.
TransNamib now owns 97 trains, of which only 52 are in working order.
The old locomotives have been in use for over 50 years - double the normal lifespan of between 20 and 25 years.
“These are the best locomotives TransNamib ever bought. They have modern technology and are fuel efficient. I have no doubt that they will serve their purpose,” Tjivikua said.
He said the procurement process started two years ago.
He said it was necessary to buy new trains to replace ageing stock, adding that TransNamib expected the new trains to increase its profit because more goods could now be transported.
“We need to acquire 80 extra trains in the next four years for us to be able to say we are at a good standard,” Tjivikua said.
Ageing railways are another challenge for the company but Tjivikua said it was receiving attention.
“We cannot bring new trains to use on old railway lines, so what we are going to do in the meantime is to repair the railways.
“The existing infrastructure is very old and to overhaul the entire system would require funding of approximately N$15 billion.
“We are starting 2017 on a very positive note not only for TransNamib but for the whole of the country. This is definitely one of the best procurements done by the company in the last 50 years. General Electric is a very efficient manufacturer and supplied us with one of the most reliable locomotives (including service plans) on the market.”
According to a reliable source some of the 17 locomotives purchased from China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Corporation in 2014, in addition to the four purchased ten years ago for N$44 million, are being refurbished.
OTIS FINCK
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