Name of the Project
Lobito Corridor Railway project.

Location
The railway line extends across Angola for almost 1 300 km between the Port of Lobito to Luau, in eastern Angola, and connects with the rail network run by the National Railway Society of the Congo, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Kolwezi in the heart of the Copperbelt.

Project Owner/s
A 30-year concession has been awarded to Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) consortium comprising Trafigura, Mota-Engil and Vecturis SA.

Project Description
This project is expected to provide a critical link for the transport of copper, cobalt and other essential goods from the mineral-rich areas of the DRC to international markets through the Lobito port.

The Lobito rail corridor has great potential to boost the development of sectors along the line, including heavy industry, agriculture and mining, creating new jobs and new opportunities. 

The project entails the finance, build, operate and transfer of a 1 289 km brownfield railway main line from Lobito to Negrao and the Luau border, as well as a 28 km railway branch line from Negrao to Bimbas.

The investment will include 1 555 wagons and 35 locomotives for the Angolan side of the corridor and the investment in training and skills, with dedicated training centres already in place at Huambo and Lobito.

There is the potential to extend the line into Zambia, extending its benefits across the region.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The project is valued at about $786.4-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The first batch of 275 new container wagons  – bought from Galison Manufacturing, in South Africa – has arrived in Lobito to reinforce the transport capacity of the LAR.

The strategic investment in new wagons is part of the LAR's expansion and modernisation plan over the next three years.

The wagons include a modern pneumatic braking system and light steel structure, contributing to safer and more efficient transport operations.

The new wagons each weigh 13.5 t, with a load capacity of up to 60.5 t. They were designed to each carry one 40 ft container or two 20 ft containers to provide logistical flexibility for the LAR and its customers' operations.

The wagons will support the LAR's ability to increase the volume and capacity of the railway for commercial cargoes in the coming years.

The arrival of the wagons is the first of a series of weekly deliveries expected until 2026, progressively expanding the LAR’s fleet.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Galison Manufacturing (container wagons).

Contact Details for Project Information
Mota-Engil Press Office, Pedro Arrais, tel +351 214 158 576 or email pedro.arrais@mota-engil.pt.
Trafigura Press Office, tel +41 22 592 4528 or email media@trafigura.com.
Vecturis Press Office, Eric Pfeiffer, tel +32 2 626 26 87 or email epe@vecturis.com.