Lobito Atlantic Railway
The Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) is a joint venture, operating trains along the Benguela railway corridor.
Route[edit]
The railway runs from Lobito, on Angola's Atlantic coast, 1300km eastwards to Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a connection to Zambia.
Joint venture[edit]
The Lobito Atlantic Railway is a joint venture between Trafigura, Mota-Engil, and Vecturis, an independent rail operator. Trafigura plans to invest $455 million in Angola and up to $100 million in Congo.[1][2]
We see the Lobito rail corridor as a partnership between the private and public sectors. A partnership of three countries – Angola, the DRC and Zambia and of three companies – Trafigura, Vecturis and Mota-Engil
— Jeremy Weir, Trafigura executive chairman and CEO[3]
The United States International Development Finance Corporation is considering a $250m investment.[4]
Operations[edit]
The company was awarded the concession to manage the Lobito rail corridor for 30 years in 2022.[1] A ceremony was held in Lobito on 4 July 2023 to mark the transfer, attended by the Presidents of Angola, Congo, and Zambia.[1][5][6]
The LAR will provide "a faster and safer route" for passenger trains in Angola, including the "Ombaka Express".[7] There are also plans to improve connectivity for copper and cobalt mines in Congo,[8] especially Kamoa-Kakula.[9]
The railway will use at least 1555 wagons and 30 locomotives in Angola; more, if Congo is included.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Boechat, Geraldine. "Presidents of Angola, Zambia and DRC get together to launch Lobito corridor". Medafrica Times. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ "Transfer Commences Of The Concession Of Railway Services And Support Logistics Of The Lobito Corridor In Angola To The Lobito Atlantic Railway". Railways Africa. 10 July 2023.
- ^ "Angola's Lobito corridor transferred to private freight concessionaire". International Railway Journal. Retrieved Feb 23, 2024.
- ^ "United States looks to invest in Lobito Atlantic Railway Corridor". Mining Review. 24 May 2023.
- ^ "Concession for railway services transferred to Lobito Atlantic Railway in Angola".
- ^ https://twitter.com/Presidence_RDC/status/1676249624389070850
- ^ "Lobito Atlantic Railway concession launched". Railway Gazette International. 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ "Angola's Lobito Corridor Railway Handed Over To International Operator | ConstructAfrica". constructafrica.com. Retrieved Feb 23, 2024.
- ^ "Ivanhoe Mines: United States Announces Support for Development of Lobito Atlantic Railway Corridor at the 2023 G7 Summit". Junior Mining Network. May 24, 2023. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
- ^ Ndebele, Lenin. "Trafigura-led consortium pledges R10.5bn for key rail project to link Angola, DRC and Zambia". News24. Retrieved Feb 23, 2024.