Transport in Namibia

This article deals with the system of transport in Namibia, both public and private.

General

History

The beginnings of organised travel and transport routes in the territory of South West Africa, today Namibia, have not yet been established. This is due to the lack of any written records relating to roads prior to the twilight of the 19th century.^[1] Archaeological work has dated one stretch of road in the south-western Brandberg Massif to c. 1250 AD. Although no other such early examples have been found, it is certain that this road was not the only one of its kind.^[2]

The first permanent road, established for ox wagons, was built at the initiative of Heinrich Schmelen, Rhenish missionary in Bethanie in the early 19th century. It led from Bethanie to Angra Pequeña, today the town of Lüderitz, and was intended to serve the natural harbour there in order to become independent of the Cape Colony.^[2]

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

B4 highway near Luderitz

Namibia's road network is regarded as one of the best on the continent; road construction and maintenance adheres to international standards.^[3] The country's more than 44,500 kilometres (27,700 mi) roads are administered by the Roads Authority, a state-owned enterprise established by Act #17 of 1999. Due to low traffic volumes the majority of roads are not tarred. The distribution of road surfaces is:^[4]

• 6,664 kilometres (4,141 mi) standard bitumen road
• 412 kilometres (256 mi) low-volume bitumen road. These roads have the same base layer as gravel roads but are covered with a thin layer of bitumen to reduce maintenance cost and dust formation.
• 25,710 kilometres (15,980 mi) standard gravel road, covered with imported gravel.
• 11,460 kilometres (7,120 mi) earth-graded road. These roads are built by clearing the vegetation and blading the surface. Compaction is achieved by the traffic using the road. Some of these roads are not graded at all but just consist of earth or sand tracks separated by vegetation. These tracks are in use where a daily usage of less than five vehicles is expected.
• 288 kilometres (179 mi) salt road. These roads consist of concentrated salt water and gypsum-rich material. They are only built near the Atlantic coast inside the mist belt.

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

As of December 2011 there are about 270,000 cars registered in Namibia, almost half of them in the capital Windhoek.^[5]

Road accidents

Namibia has a relatively high prevalence of road accidents, compared to its sparse population. In 2011, 491 people died in 2,846 crashes.^[6] Causes are often speeding and reckless driving, as well as general non-observance of traffic rules.^[7] Stray animals are also a major cause of accidents, particularly in the Kavango Region.^[8]

Railway

• 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 gauge,1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in), as Namibia.^[9] (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.^[10] (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.^[11] (Rail transport in Zambia)

Maps

• UN Map

Timeline

1899

• Otavi Mining and Railway Company

2002

• Namibia to become regional hub ^[12]

2007

• December - Progress ^[13]
• 26 October - Talks between Namibia and Angola regarding a link between Namibia and Chamutete in Angola.

^{[14] [15]}

• 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, though there is only one other: the Walvis Bay Airport.

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,...

References

Notes

Literature

• Dierks, Klaus (2001). Namibian Roads in History from the 13th Century till Today. Institut für Wirtschafts- und Sozialgeographie, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt/Main.