BLW’s 10-locomotive Mozambique export order is complete

The BLW locomotive export to Mozambique is complete after the final two locomotives were delivered to Maputo. That closed a 10-unit contract executed through RITES Limited. The order covered a Banaras Locomotive Works supply of locomotives for Cape Gauge operations. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

BLW locomotive export to Mozambique

Based in Varanasi, Banaras Locomotive Works is a production unit of Indian Railways. It supplied ten 3,300 HP AC-AC diesel-electric locomotives. They were built for Cape Gauge (1067 mm) networks widely used in Africa. In the source text, the completed order is presented as part of India’s broader effort to expand its role in international railway manufacturing. It is also linked to the “Make in India” and “Make for the World” initiatives.

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As reported by The Economic Times, the deliveries were made in phases. The first two locomotives were supplied in June 2025. The third followed in September 2025, and the fourth in October 2025. The fifth locomotive was delivered on 12 December 2025. The sixth followed on 15 December 2025. The final batch was then delivered to Maputo, completing the contract.

RITES Limited and locomotive specifications

RITES Limited, a Government of India enterprise established in 1974, handled project execution. The source describes the company as playing a crucial role in international railway contracts. That role covers project execution, technology transfer, and cooperation with local partners. In this case, RITES combined India’s manufacturing strength with consultancy and project execution capability for an overseas customer.

As Railway Supply notes, the 3,300 HP AC-AC diesel-electric locomotives were built for Cape Gauge (1067 mm) networks. They were also designed for speeds of up to 100 km/h. The units were equipped with a refrigerator, hot plate, mobile holder, and ergonomic cab layout. According to the source, they are suitable for long-haul freight and mixed-traffic operations.

Repeat order and India railway exports

According to BLW’s Annual Report 2024–25, Mozambique Railways (CFM) placed the new order after the successful execution of the earlier six 3,000 HP locomotives. The source says those earlier locomotives showed high operational reliability, low maintenance requirements, and consistent performance in African conditions.

Separately, the article places the deal within BLW’s broader development as an export-oriented manufacturing centre. Since 2014, the facility has exported locomotives to Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Mozambique. The source links that progress to indigenous design capability, skilled manpower, and advanced production infrastructure.

In addition, India’s railway exports, as described in the source text, extend beyond locomotives. They include metro coaches, passenger coaches, bogies and components, and signalling and infrastructure solutions. The article lists export destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. These include the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Mozambique, South Africa, Guinea, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Australia, Canada, and Mexico.

At the same time, the source says such projects also support bilateral relations. They do so by contributing to infrastructure development in partner countries such as Mozambique. It also links these export programmes to domestic economic effects including employment, manufacturing growth, and technological development.

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