Kaleido Logistics and TransNamib have officially launched the Walvis Bay–Karibib rail corridor in July 2026, a new freight connection designed to strengthen cargo logistics between Namibia’s inland regions and the country’s main seaport. Coinciding with the start of operations, Kaleido has also inaugurated a new logistics hub in Karibib, which will provide comprehensive support for rail and logistics operations across the region. This new facility complements Kaleido’s existing logistics centre in Walvis Bay.
Strategically located alongside the railway line and with direct access to TransNamib’s rail infrastructure, the new logistics hub has been designed to optimise cargo handling, storage, loading, unloading and transshipment operations, reducing transit times and improving the overall efficiency of the supply chain.
The facility is equipped with specialised cargo-handling equipment and staffed by a highly qualified team with extensive experience in both rail and logistics operations. This capability will enable the consolidation of marble and granite blocks, as well as other commodities and cargoes, within the Karibib area of influence, optimising inland transport costs by providing a competitive alternative to road haulage.
The launch of the rail corridor marks another milestone in the collaboration between Kaleido and TransNamib to promote rail transport as a key driver of Namibia’s logistics development.
Initial freight volumes are expected to reach up to 25,000 tonnes per month (34 tons per truck), removing aprox. 735 trucks from the country’s roads every month. This will have a positive impact on road safety, help preserve road infrastructure, and could reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 900 tonnes of CO₂ per year. These benefits have been particularly valued by both companies given their positive contribution to society and the environment.
“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. Building on our rail operations in Angola, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, we see this new corridor, developed in partnership with TransNamib, as a clear competitiveness driver for Namibia. Our ambition is for this service to be just the beginning,” said Xoán Martínez, CEO of Kaleido Logistics.
Desmond van Jaarsveld, Chief Executive Officer of TransNamib, said, “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. 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.”
The corridor is based on a cargo consolidation model that enhances the competitiveness of rail transport against road haulage, positioning rail as a complement to — rather than a replacement for — trucking services. This operating model, already successfully implemented by Kaleido in other countries across the region, manages both bulk cargo and containerised freight depending on the nature of the goods and the most efficient maritime transport solution available. In this regard, Kaleido’s global presence in ocean freight enables the seamless integration of different transport modes under a single logistics operator, delivering the most competitive end-to-end solution.
Kaleido and TransNamib will officially present the new rail service during the Namibia Mining Expo & Conference, to be held in Windhoek from 4 to 6 August, where both companies will also participate as exhibitors. The event will provide the ideal platform to showcase this new logistics solution to key players in the mining industry, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to Namibia’s industrial and economic development.
Media Contacts:
Ana De Pradi Losada
Head Marketing
+34 986 447 475
anadeprado@kaleidologistics.com
Alina Garises
Manager: Corporate Communications
+264 811 22 86 73
Alina.Garises@transnamib.com.na
