The upgrading of the Sandverhaar-Buchholzbrunn railway line in southern Namibia will boost the operations of Lüderitz, Namibia’s second biggest port. The project, which covers about 40km, is expected to cost N$175 million.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy and Industry, Public Administration and Planning has warned stakeholders, including rail operator TransNamib, and the Ministry of Works and Transport, that further delays in upgrading the railway line will make Namibia lose out on possible commodity exports from South Africa’s Northern Cape.
The project, which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport and Works, has faced implementation delays over the years.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee and Namibia’s former finance minister, Ipumbu Shiimi, said given the strategic nature of the railway line, the committee saw significant progress during its recent visit, observing that the speed of implementation has picked up and the committee was promised that the project will be implemented within the timeline, which is scheduled for the 2027/2028 financial year.
Shiimi said the railway line is important to TransNamib because there is money that can be made on this railway line through exports and imports via Lüderitz.
The project is going to help Namibia to unlock opportunities through the transshipping of goods to and from South Africa, and increase economic activities in the south of Namibia, according to Shiimi.
The committee warned that should the project lose momentum, opportunities may slip away and slow economic opportunities in the south of Namibia. During its visit to the south of Namibia, the committee noted that most government-funded projects are behind schedule, with the rate of execution not fast enough, according to Shiimi.
According to Namport’s 2025 annual integrity report, exports through the port of Lüderitz predominantly comprised manganese ore, and while the exports of the ore declined during the year, increases were recorded in zinc exports.
Manganese ore remained the leading export commodity through the port, accounting for 80% of the total export volumes. After increasing by16% in 2024, volumes fell by 9% in 2025, with exports for the year standing at 798 430 tons.
The volumes for the year were also 26% below forecast and constrained by South African port scheduling, which forced vessels to load below capacity. Volumes are expected to stabilise and gradually improve from mid- 2025 as the second warehouse under construction by a private operator in Lüderitz becomes operational.
Zinc recovered strongly after a 15% contraction in 2024, expanding by 43% in 2025 and increasing its share from 7% to 11%. Lüderitz is earmarked as a key logistics base for offshore oil operations.
Written by Chamwe Kaira for Railways Africa
