Namibia’s state-owned rail operator, TransNamib, has approved a six-month pilot of a hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel locomotive, signalling early-stage efforts to integrate hydrogen into the country’s transport and logistics system.
The trial, to be conducted in partnership with CMB.TECH, will run for approximately 50 return trips along the Walvis Bay–Windhoek corridor, a key freight route linking the country’s main port to its inland economic hub.
Chief Executive Officer Desmond van Jaarsveld said the pilot is designed to test the operational viability of hydrogen technology under real-world conditions.
The locomotive will be evaluated across a range of performance indicators, including fuel consumption, reliability, efficiency, maintenance requirements and cost-effectiveness. A decision on potential scale-up will follow the six-month trial period.
The project places Namibia among a growing number of markets exploring hydrogen applications in heavy transport, as countries look to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as rail freight.
During the trial, CMB.TECH will provide and manage hydrogen-related infrastructure and technical systems, while TransNamib will focus on operational integration, safety compliance and workforce readiness. The operator will also assess procedures related to hydrogen storage, handling and refuelling.
TransNamib’s fleet is currently dominated by conventional diesel locomotives. A successful trial could support a gradual transition towards hybrid or alternative fuel systems, depending on economic and operational outcomes.
Van Jaarsveld said long-term viability will hinge on hydrogen availability, pricing and performance in Namibia’s operating environment, which includes long distances, high temperatures and variable infrastructure conditions.
The pilot aligns with Namibia’s broader ambitions to position itself as a global green hydrogen producer, with several large-scale projects under development targeting export markets in Europe and Asia.
If successful, the trial could provide a domestic use case for hydrogen within Namibia’s transport sector, linking upstream production with downstream demand in logistics.
The Walvis Bay–Windhoek corridor, which handles a significant share of Namibia’s cargo flows, offers a strategic test bed for hydrogen-powered freight solutions in Southern Africa.
