Company:Lobito Atlantic Railway
The Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) is a joint venture, operating trains along the Benguela railway corridor.
Route
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]
We see the Lobito rail corridor as a partnership between the private and public sectors. A partnership of three countries – Angola, the DRC and Zambia and of three companies – Trafigura, Vecturis and Mota-Engil
– Jeremy Weir, Trafigura executive chairman and CEO[3]
The United States International Development Finance Corporation is considering a $250m investment.[4]
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][5][6]
The LAR will provide "a faster and safer route" for passenger trains in Angola, including the "Ombaka Express".[7] There are also plans to improve connectivity for copper and cobalt mines in Congo,[8] especially Kamoa-Kakula.[9]
The railway will use at least 1555 wagons and 30 locomotives in Angola; more, if Congo is included.[10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Presidents of Angola, Zambia and DRC get together to launch Lobito corridor by Geraldine Boecha, MedaFrica Times. 4 July 2023
- ↑ 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
- ↑ Angola's Lobito corridor transferred to private freight concessionaire, International Railway Journal. 10 June 2023
- ↑ https://www.miningreview.com/central-africa/united-states-looks-to-invest-in-lobito-atlantic-railway-corridor/
- ↑ https://www.trafigura.com/press-releases/transfer-commences-of-the-concession-of-railway-services-and-support-logistics-of-the-lobito-corridor-in-angola-to-the-lobito-atlantic-railway/
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Presidence_RDC/status/1676249624389070850
- ↑ https://www.railwaygazette.com/freight/lobito-atlantic-railway-concession-launched/64446.article
- ↑ http://constructafrica.com/index.php/news/angolas-lobito-corridor-railway-handed-over-international-operator
- ↑ https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/397-tsx/ivn/141979-ivanhoe-mines-united-states-announces-support-for-development-of-lobito-atlantic-railway-corridor-at-the-2023-g7-summit.html
- ↑ https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/trafigura-led-consortium-pledges-r105bn-for-key-rail-project-to-link-angola-drc-and-zambia-20230705
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