WINDHOEK – A high level Chinese delegation is in Namibia to hold discussions with TransNamib over possible solutions to its locomotive fleet.
The delegation led by the Vice President of China South Locomotive and Rolling Stock Corporation Ltd, Wang Jun made a courtesy call to Works and Transport Minister, Erkki Nghimtina at his office yesterday to introduce themselves.
The party was accompanied by TransNamib CEO, Sara Naanda who briefed the media afterwards.
According to Naanda the delegation is in Namibia for discussions on ways to solve the mechanical problems the parastatal has experienced with the locomotives it sourced from the state-owned rail infrastructure manufacturer.
She hinted some TransNamib technicians may be sent to China to receive much-needed training on the maintenance of its fleet of locomotives as well as the procurement of essential spare parts.
She was, however, reluctant to shed information on whether the parastatal plans to buy new locomotives. TransNamib recently bought 17 SDD-6 locomotives from the Chinese company in addition to the four purchased 10 years ago.
It was also revealed that the company recently won a tender to supply TransNet in South Africa with new locomotives and coaches inter alia.
The delegation will be in the country for a while engaging TransNamib to foster a possible long term relationship between the two companies.
The Chinese company is rated among the top three railway manufacturers in the world and their products are used in over 50 countries in the world including the SADC region, it was revealed.