The transport sector gaining momentum

PHILLEPUS UUSIKUDuring the second quarter of 2021, activity in the transport sector increased broadly as observed in road, rail and sea cargo volumes.According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), the sector registered a positive growth of 1.1% in real value added, compared to a negative growth of 28.9% recorded in the same quarter of 2020.The performance of the sector is mainly attributed to all subsectors of that posted positive growth rates with exception to freight transport by road and post and courier activities subsectors that registered declines in real value added of 8.3% and 13.7% during the second quarter of 2021.Increases for subsectors were recorded during the period under review for railway transport (3.5%), air transport (425.7%), passenger transport by road (6.7%), port services (5.3%), other supporting and auxiliary transport activities (1.9%) and airport services (134.6%), NSA pointed out.The positive performance in subsectors is owed to the Covid-19 restriction measures that were eased during the period under review, resulting in increased movement of passengers, aircraft arrivals and cargo handled, NSA said.During the month of August 2021, Namibia transported 1 052 427 tonnes of cargo through rail, road, air and sea, compared to 828 881 tonnes and 1 019 460 tonnes that were transported in July 2021 and August 2020, respectively.IndexGiven these developments, the composite cargo index that consists of rail, road, air and sea cargo recorded an increase on a monthly basis of 27.0% in August 2021 compared to a reduction of 15.0% registered in July 2021. The increase on monthly basis emanates from cargo transported via sea, road and rail. However, it is worth noting that air cargo transportation declined further, recording 34.0% downward from a decline of 18.1% registered in July 2021.The rail cargo index recorded an increase of 20.9% month-on-month compared to a reduction of 5.9% registered in July 2021.Furthermore, the rail cargo index increased by 15.5%, year-on-year compared to a decline of 13.8% recorded in August 2020.The increase recorded on monthly basis were mainly attributed to high volumes of earth, ash, gravel, maize and manganese items transported through rail cargo, NSA pointed out.RoadThe road cargo index registered a monthly growth of 13.6% in August 2021 higher than a growth of 1.6% recorded for July 2021. Further, the index increased by 21.9%, year-on-year, upward when compared to a contraction of 18.8% recorded in August 2020, NSA added.The increase recorded on monthly basis were mainly attributed to high volumes of predominantly petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals, crude and frozen fish transported via road cargo.The air cargo index registered a monthly decline of 34.0% in August 2021 compared to a reduction of 18.1% recorded in July 2021. While, on an annual basis, the index increased by 91.8% from a reduction of 71.9% in August 2020.The decline recorded on monthly basis were mainly reflected on low volumes of prepared binders, chemical products and residual products transported via air cargo.The sea cargo index that consists of sea-landed, sea-shipped and sea trans-shipped recorded an increase of 38.6% month-on-month, upward from a reduction of 26.0% registered in July 2021.The monthly increase recorded in the sea cargo index was reflected in the sea-landed, sea-shipped and sea-transhipped during the review period, NSA said.

The transport sector gaining momentum

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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The transport sector gaining momentum

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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