The Port of Morébaya welcomed the first two Wabtec locomotives, a historic moment for the Simandou venture, when four ES43ACmi units are to transport iron ore through the 670 km Trans-Guinean railroad.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Wabtec locomotives arrive in Guinea for the Simandou project
Photo: SimFer

Wabtec locomotives open a new era of rail transport in Guinea

The joint venture SimFer, comprising the Government of Guinea, Rio Tinto, and Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH), secured the transportation for the first locomotives. This is a significant milestone for the nation’s program for the modernization of the nation’s infrastructure.

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The locomotives are built for tropical weather and hilly terrain to operate with ease through challenging routes. The first locomotive, that of the ES43ACmi, was introduced in May 2025 and served to be the lead unit for the whole purchase. The plant is located at the facility at Marhaura, India.

The Trans-Guinean railway will run from the Port of Morébaya to the Simandou mine and form the principal export corridor for the nation. Construction started in 2024 and has already created jobs for thousands of people and encouraged the maturity of domestic business.

Wabtec locomotives strengthen Simandou’s transport infrastructure

The transportation system will be operated through Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG), consisting of Rio Tinto SimFer, Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS), and the Republic of Guinea government. Upon 35 years of existence, the rail and port will change to state ownership.

In January 2025, Wabtec also penned a $248 million agreement with WCS to deliver and support an other 65 Evolution-series locomotives. The agreement reaffirmed the position of Wabtec in Africa and underlined the technological supremacy.

These train deliveries increase freight efficiency and expedite ore exports. Thus, the Simandou project is an example of how joint ventures can revamp regional transport systems and build investor confidence.

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What are Wabtec locomotives of the ES43ACmi series?

They are advanced Evolution-series locomotives designed for heavy-haul operations and high energy efficiency in demanding environments.

When will the Simandou railway be completed?

Main construction is expected to finish by 2026, after which full-scale operations will begin along the 670 km line.

Can Wabtec locomotives operate on other routes?

Yes, they are versatile and suitable for long-distance freight transport under diverse terrain and climatic conditions.

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