A hand-over ceremony was held in Walvis Bay, Namibia, to signify the commissioning of four new locomotives and 30 tank wagons manufactured for TransNamib in China on September 4. Hon. Moses Amweelo, Minister of Works, Transport and Communication of the Republic of Namibia, Mr. Klaus Dierks, TransNamib Chairperson, Mr. John Shaetonhodi, CEO of TransNamib, H.E. Yao Mingyu, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy, Mr. Zhao Xiaogang, President of China South Locomotives & Rolling Stocks Industry Corporation, etc. attended the ceremony.
In his keynote address, Minister Amweelo expressed gratitude to the People's Republic of China for the indispensable financial and technical support, cordial cooperation and fruitful negotiations that led to the achievement of this milestone. He added that the newly acquired Chinese locomotives and oil tank wagons will improve the accessibility and mobility needs of Namibian nationals and landlocked neighbouring countries in the SADC region.
On the occasion, Mr. Yao said that the locomotives and tank wagons will make due contributions to the development and modernization of Namibian railway transportation, and to the development of the national economy of Namibia as a whole. He added that the potentials and prospects of cooperation between China and Namibia are very great, and "the hand-over of these locomotives and tank wagons serves as a typical example of the rapid development of the economic cooperation between our two countries, which will further enhance our excellent traditional friendship".
H.E. Mr. Alasdain MacDermott, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom was also present at the ceremony and spoke highly of the successful cooperation between China, Namibia and British Cummins Company.
This is the first time China exports locomotives to Namibia. With total value of 6 million US dollars, the locomotives and tank wagons are fitted with the latest technology and have been designed specially in compliance with the high temperature and environment of desert in Namibia. These products left Shanghai on July 25, and H.E. President Sam Nujoma cut the ribbon for the shipment ceremony during his working visit to China.
