Rail transport between Walvis Bay and Grootfontein set for major boost

TransNamib and Ascon Energy (Pty) Ltd signed a Rail Transport Agreement (RTA) on 20 March 2019 for the transport of coal, containers and various commodities between Walvis Bay and the inland terminals of Grootfontein and Gobabis.

The agreement, signed by TransNamib CEO, Mr Johny Smith and Mr Nate MacMillan, Ascon Energy’s Managing Director, will cater for the transportation of more than 600,000 tonnes of various commodities per annum. The initial focus will be the imports and exports on the Walvis Bay to Grootfontein route, followed by the Gobabis to Walvis Bay route, utilizing the Trans Kalahari Corridor.
According to Corporate Communications Officer, Ms Ailly Hangula-Paulino, the contract will start next quarter. “This agreement will stimulate the train service between Grootfontein and Walvis Bay for Congolese and Zambian traffic”. She also stated that TransNamib is in discussion with other logistics service providers within the region to develop the intermodal facilities at Grootfontein to support the growth of volumes in the short to medium term.
Ascon Energy Pty is a subsidiary of the Ascon Group, an international oil and commodities trading organisation that has been serving the global physical markets for more than three decades. Their key focus areas are Eastern Europe, West- and Southern Africa, the Middle East as well as the Asian outlets. They are particularly concentrating on niche markets where they operate and cooperate with local companies.