TransNamib hosts AGM and Stakeholder Engagement
Windhoek, 29 April 2021: TransNamib successfully held its second consecutive AGM, for the 2019/2020 financial year on the 30th March 2021, which was attended by the TransNamib executive team, the board of directors, the Minister of Public Enterprises Honourable Leon Jooste as well as the Deputy Minister of Works and Transport Honourable Veikko Nekundi.
After the AGM, customers, the media and other stakeholders gathered for TransNamib’s first stakeholder engagement for 2021. During his presentation during the engagement to the various stakeholders the CEO of TransNamib, Johny Smith said that the company is strategically positioned to carry bulk cargo as one full train is the equivalent to 30 trucks on the road.
He also further described TransNamib strategy in terms of focusing on station-to-station service as well as active and continuous engagement with clients. Smith also gave customers an overview of the company’s block trains strategy. “This essentially means there is a total of two locomotives and at least 20 wagons carrying a certain product. The current block trains focus on fuel, copper concentrate, coal, manganese and acid. The benefits of block trains are that there is only one stop to refuel and it increases the efficiency of the operations, “he added.
The TransNamib head said that in terms of the number of locos TransNamib currently has is 43 and the company will need at least 86 locos by 2023 to meet its ISBP and move 3.1 million metric tonnes per annum.
The CEO noted that TransNamib has in the past three years celebrated many milestones which included the unveiling of a new brand which was well received by the public. The company’s focus on improving corporate governance and hosting its first AGM in six years in 2020 has gone a long way in improving the company’s public perception. One of the major milestones was that TransNamib received an unqualified audit in the 2018/2019 financial year, which is the first time receiving that in almost a decade. The growth in TransNamib’s revenue, freight volumes and property portfolio are evidence that the company is indeed progressing forward.
Amongst the customers who attended was representatives from the various oil companies and TransNamib other top customers. Amongst the presentations were two presentations from customers who gave glowing testimonies in terms of the improvement of the relationship between TransNamib and their business. Both customers expressed keen interest to move more volumes through as they want to move more through rail than through road.
During the session the Managing Director from Ohorongo Cement, one of TransNamib’s key customers, Mr. Hans-Wilhelm Shutte noted the achievements of TransNamib and Ohorongo Cement’s partnership namely the 100 % movement of cement on rail from Otavi to Ondangwa as well as the 100% movement of coal on rail from Walvis Bay to Otavi. He noted that TransNamib made available 45 wagons for the standard train between Tsumeb & Ondangwa and commended TransNamib for its increased service levels noting that the company was pro-active and result orientated. In terms of TransNamib and Ohorongo’s partnership the focus is on volume and bulk business.
TransNamib’s key customers expressed keen interest to move its bulk volumes through rail citing the benefits of moving the majority of freight through rail which would include long-term financial sustainability for TransNamib and the industry, generating income to fund new projects and to reviving other routes as well as boosting TransNamib infrastructure and win local and international investors’ confidence. 3
Media Contact:
Abigail Raubenheimer
Manager: Corporate Communications
Email: Abigail. Raubenheimer@transnamib.com.na
Phone: 081 127 8137
