CMB.TECH Namibia, a diversified maritime group, will soon commission the testing of a green hydrogen-powered locomotive on rail tracks here in Namibia.

A consortium of companies, including TransNamib, Africa Global Logistics and assembly company Traxion, is busy developing the green hydrogen-powered locomotive, bringing proven maritime dual fuel technology into the rail sector.

Earlier in May, CMB Tech Chief Technology Officer Roy Campe visited Namibia, having workshops with partners TransNamib and Africa Global Logistics (AGL) on the process of converting an idle locomotive, equipping it with a dual-fuel green hydrogen engine.

"We are now using a similar type of combustion engine, but now with technology so that the engine can run with a combination of diesel and hydrogen, which is produced in Namibia, and diesel that starts the combustion process of that hydrogen, and that will allow us to operate low-carbon logistics in Namibia," he said.

In the partnership, Transnamib ensures track access and maintenance, among others, while AGL will supply the freight. AGL is linked with shipping company MSC, and containers will be transported from the port of Walvis Bay up to the container depot in Windhoek and back.

Campe explained that "Today we have an agreement in place that will cover 50 round trips to be able to test the technology. It is a world first that we are doing in Namibia; it is not the first time we are using that engine; it is an engine we used six years ago. Meanwhile, we have used the same technology on board a tugboat in operation for three years in the Antwerp port." 

Once all boxes are checked, the testing phase will start at the end of September.

"We have re-engineered the locomotive; we have done the needed modifications, and we would like to test it. We have come up with a 6-month testing period so we can test it into the winter period, also the summer period and the rainy period so we can test the whole technology," said Campe.

He mentioned that they have reached an agreement with their cooperation partners to evaluate the viability of the technology. Amidst the significant rise in diesel prices, there is a noticeable shift from road transport to rail transport.

"For Walvis Bay to develop as a logistical hub, the railway system must also function effectively. We believe that the ability to utilise a fuel produced domestically addresses all these concerns."

Currently, about 25 to 30 locomotives are accumulating dust and rust at the TransNamib yards; the same technology can be applied to these locomotives, and the conversions can be completed in Namibia.