Staff Writer
CMB.TECH Namibia say they are at an advanced stage of the development of a green hydrogen–powered locomotive.
A statement released by the company this week said the locomotive is currently being assembled at the facilities of Traxtion, a South African rail engineering and refurbishment specialist.
According to CMB.TECH Namibia’s large idle fleet of locomotives can be repowered with cost-effective and future-proof technology which will be launched later this year.
The project is the result of a strategic partnership between three companies firmly rooted in Namibia: TransNamib Holdings Limited, Africa Global Logistics and CMB.TECH Namibia.
“As Namibia’s rail operator, TransNamib is responsible for managing and operating the national rail network and freight services. As a central player in the country’s transport infrastructure, TransNamib is actively exploring modernisation pathways, including the repowering of its existing locomotive fleet through innovative technologies such as dual fuel hydrogen systems,” the company said in a statement.
Africa Global Logistics (AGL) is an established logistics operator active in Namibia, playing a key role in freight, transport and logistics operations across the country, with a strong focus on strengthening strategic transport corridors.
AGL also manages operations at the Walvis Bay Multipurpose Bulk Terminal and operates one of Africa’s largest integrated logistics networks, with a presence in over 50 countries connecting ports, corridors and multimodal supply chains.
“These partners will operate Namibia’s first heavy‑duty freight service running on locally produced green hydrogen. Initially, 50 round trips will be covered between the Port of Walvis Bay and the Container Depot near Windhoek during the trial period, with the option to extend operations. Green hydrogen for the project will be produced off‑grid at CMB.TECH Namibia’s hydrogen plant in Walvis Bay. A perfect example of how green hydrogen can be integrated into an existing logistics corridor,” the statement said.
The locomotive is equipped with a BeHydro dual fuel hydrogen combustion engine. BeHydro, a joint venture between CMB.TECH and Anglo Belgian Corporation, markets hydrogen engines for marine, railway, and power applications, offering both dual fuel and 100% hydrogen configurations.
CMB.TECH said BeHydro’s engine range is also suited for tractive power, making it applicable for repowered locomotives on non‑electrified rail lines.
“The locomotive retains full functionality at all times. Even if the hydrogen system is unexpectedly unavailable, the locomotive automatically continues running on traditional fuel alone. This ensures maximum reliability and gives operators the confidence to integrate hydrogen into their operations without compromising service continuity,” the statement said.
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