Lobito Atlantic Railway Explained

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

Route

See 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]

The United States International Development Finance Corporation is considering a $250m investment.[3]

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] [4] [5]

The LAR will provide "a faster and safer route" for passenger trains in Angola, including the "Ombaka Express".[6] There are also plans to improve connectivity for copper and cobalt mines in Congo,[7] especially Kamoa-Kakula.[8]

The railway will use at least 1555 wagons and 30 locomotives in Angola; more, if Congo is included.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Presidents of Angola, Zambia and DRC get together to launch Lobito corridor . Medafrica Times. Geraldine. Boechat. 2024-02-23.
  2. News: 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. United States looks to invest in Lobito Atlantic Railway Corridor . Mining Review . 24 May 2023 .
  4. Web site: Concession for railway services transferred to Lobito Atlantic Railway in Angola .
  5. https://twitter.com/Presidence_RDC/status/1676249624389070850
  6. News: Lobito Atlantic Railway concession launched. 2023-07-05 . Railway Gazette International. 2024-02-23 .
  7. Web site: Angola's Lobito Corridor Railway Handed Over To International Operator | ConstructAfrica. constructafrica.com. Feb 23, 2024.
  8. Web site: Ivanhoe Mines: United States Announces Support for Development of Lobito Atlantic Railway Corridor at the 2023 G7 Summit. May 24, 2023. Junior Mining Network. 2024-02-23.
  9. Web site: Trafigura-led consortium pledges R10.5bn for key rail project to link Angola, DRC and Zambia. Lenin. Ndebele. News24. Feb 23, 2024.

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