Transport in Namibia

Road

The B2 between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. Windy conditions and the proximity of sand dunes lead to reduced visibility, and sand covering the tarmac

Namibia's road network is regarded as one of the best on the continent; road construction and maintenance adheres to international standards. It consists of 25,000 km of gravel roads and 9,000 km of earth-graded roads. Due to low traffic volume only about 6,000 km are tarred.

The major highways in Namibia are:

• B1 from Noordoewer (South African border) to Oshikango (Angolan border), 1694 km
• B2 from Walvis Bay to Okahandja, 285 km
• B3 from Nakop (South African border) to Grünau, 324 km
• B4 from Lüderitz to Keetmanshoop, 351 km
• B6 from Windhoek to Buitepos (Botswana border), 335 km
• B8 from Otavi to Katima Mulilo (Zambian border), 837 km

There are more than 237,000 cars registered in Namibia, about half of them in the capital Windhoek.

Railway

Main article: Rail transport in Namibia

• In 2005, a line to Ondangwa near the Angolan border was under construction.

Railways in Namibia are operated by TransNamib.

Total track: 2,382 km Total narrow gauge track: 2,382 km 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge; single track (2002, 1995)

Railway links to adjacent countries

• Angola - There is currently no rail connection to Angola, although an agreement has been signed for link. Angola uses the same 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) as Namibia. gauge (Rail transport in Angola)
• Botswana- There is currently no rail-link with Botswana, though the two countries use the same gauge. As of February 2011, construction on a Trans-Kalahari rail link between Botswanan coal fields and Walvis Bay was expected to begin in a year and a half. (Rail transport in Botswana)
• South Africa- There is a rail connection to South Africa; the two countries use the same 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) gauge. (Rail transport in South Africa)
• Zambia- There is currently no rail-link with Zambia, though the two countries use the same gauge. As of February 2011, there has been some talk of extending rail to the Zambian border. (Rail transport in Zambia)

Infrastructure

• New design of Tubular Modular Track

• Gobabis - proposed dry port 227 east of Windhoek

Maps

• [3]
• UN Map

Towns served by rail

Main article: Railway stations in Namibia

• Oshikango - (Angola-Namibia border)
• Ondangwa
• Tsumeb - railhead
• Otavi - junction for Grootfontein
• Grootfontein - branch terminus.
• Outjo - railhead
• Otjiwarongo - junction for Outjo
• Omaruru, Namibia
• Kalkfeld
• Seeheim - junction
• Gobabis - railhead
• Karibib -
• Usakos - junction Tsumeb v Windhoek.
• Arandis, Namibia - crossing loop
• Swakopmund - port
• Walvis Bay - the most efficient port on the African continent.
• Karasburg - near South Africa border
• Okahandja
• Windhoek - capital - junction
• Rehoboth

Timeline

1899

• Otavi Mining and Railway Company

2002

• Namibia to become regional hub

2007

• December - Progress
• 26 October - Talks between Namibia and Angola regarding a link between Namibia and Chamutete in Angola.

• 18 October - According to an Engineering News report, a 700 km extension of the Grootfontein branch is planned, to Katima Mulilo on the Zambian border. A feasibility study by March 2008. Walvis Bay Corridor Group says "Our focus is on trade facilitation through a cheaper and faster route. We are targeting the copper mines in Zambia. Katima Mulilo is about 130 km from the nearest railway in Zambia as the crow flies, once the Zambesi has been bridged. The lightly laid Mulobezi branch from Livingstone ( 80 km or so ) would need upgrading, although a shorter and straighter route might be considered.

2008

• Proposed electrified line through Kalahari Desert to Palapye in Botswana.

Ports and harbours

Atlantic Ocean

• Walvis Bay - railhead
• Lüderitz - railhead

Merchant marine

none (2002, 1999 est.)

Airports

135 (2002, 1999 est.)

Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport is the main international airport in the country.

Airports - with paved runways

total: 21 (2002), 22 (1999 est.)
over 3,047 m: 2 (2002, 1999 est.)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002, 1999 est.)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 (2002), 15 (1999 est.)
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2002, 3 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 114 (2002) 113 (1999 est.)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002, 1999 est.)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 22 (2002 est.), 21 (1999 est.)
914 to 1,523 m: 71 (2002), 69 (1999 est.)
under 914 m: 19 (2002), 21 (1999 est.)

See also

• Namibia
• TransNamib
• Namibian Airports - History, data, airlines, parking, car rental, photos, planespotting,...