The Lobito Atlantic Railway operator has ordered 275 flatbed railcars for containers
24.06.2024
The Lobito Atlantic Railway operator has signed a contract with the South African company Galison Manufacturing to supply 275 flatbed railcars for transporting containers of various sizes — 10, 20, and 40 feet long, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
The railcars will be delivered in three phases over 30 months and are intended for use in freight transport from the Angolan port of Lobito to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
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Return trips will be loaded with products from copper-cobalt and copper mines in Zambia and the DRC.
The new flatbed railcars are designed with a lightweight construction and made of high-strength steel, reducing their weight to 13.5 tons.
This solution aims to improve transport efficiency by reducing fuel and operating costs.
The Lobito Atlantic Railway consortium, consisting of Trafigura, Mota-Engil, and Vecturis, has taken over the management and maintenance of the Lobito corridor, which is about 1,300 kilometers long, since January 2024.
This railway line connects the port of Lobito in Angola with the Luau station on the border with the DRC.
In the DRC, the line continues to Kolwezi — a key center of the Central African Copperbelt, making this route strategically important for transporting the region’s mineral resources.
Under the contract terms, the concession for Lobito Atlantic Railway is valid for 30 years, with an option to extend for an additional 20 years.
As part of its commitments, the operator intends to invest over 500 million USD in modernizing the railway infrastructure in Angola.
Plans include upgrading the tracks and acquiring new locomotives and freight cars, which should significantly improve the quality and reliability of transportation.
This project is part of a large-scale strategy to develop the region’s transport infrastructure and enhance logistical connectivity between Southern and Central African countries.
The modern flatbed railcars will optimize the container transport process, increasing volume and delivery speed.
Moreover, the use of high-strength steel in the railcar construction contributes to durability and reduced maintenance costs.
The signing of the contract with Galison Manufacturing underscores the importance of international cooperation in rail transport and strengthens Lobito Atlantic Railway’s position as a key operator on the African continent.
The implementation of this project is expected to lead to economic growth in the region, improve trade links, and create new jobs, contributing to the socio-economic development of Angola, the DRC, and Zambia.
Photo: Trafigura
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