Lobito_Atlantic_Railway

Lobito Atlantic Railway

Lobito Atlantic Railway

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The Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) is a joint venture, operating trains along the Benguela railway corridor.

Route

Main article: Benguela railway

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

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

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

  1. [1]
    Boechat, Geraldine. "Presidents of Angola, Zambia and DRC get together to launch Lobito corridor". Medafrica Times. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  2. [2]
    "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.
  3. [3]
    "Angola's Lobito corridor transferred to private freight concessionaire". International Railway Journal. Retrieved Feb 23, 2024.
  4. [4]
    "United States looks to invest in Lobito Atlantic Railway Corridor". Mining Review. 24 May 2023.
  5. [5]
    "Concession for railway services transferred to Lobito Atlantic Railway in Angola".
  6. [6]
    https://twitter.com/Presidence_RDC/status/1676249624389070850
  7. [7]
    "Lobito Atlantic Railway concession launched". Railway Gazette International. 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  8. [8]
    "Angola's Lobito Corridor Railway Handed Over To International Operator | ConstructAfrica". constructafrica.com. Retrieved Feb 23, 2024.
  9. [9]
    "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.
  10. [10]
    Ndebele, Lenin. "Trafigura-led consortium pledges R10.5bn for key rail project to link Angola, DRC and Zambia". News24. Retrieved Feb 23, 2024.
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