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Lobito Atlantic Railway

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The Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) is a joint venture, operating trains along the Benguela railway corridor.

Route

Main article: Benguela railway

The railway runs from Lobito, on Angola's Atlantic coast, 1300km eastwards to Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with a proposed link to Zambia.[1]

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.[2][3]

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[4]

The G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) prioritizes infrastructure projects in developing countries, including through a series of investments in the Lobito Corridor to connect the African continent from sea to sea. In October 2023, PGI signed an MOU between the U.S., Angola, the DRC, the EU, Zambia, the African Development Bank, and Africa Finance Corporation to develop the Corridor, initiating a new rail line expansion to Zambia.[5] In alliance, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), in February 2024, approved[6] a $250 million investment,[7] increased, in June 2024, with a $553 million loan for development of the LAR.[8]

Operations

The company was awarded the concession to manage the Lobito rail corridor for 30 years in 2022.[2] A ceremony was held in Lobito on 4 July 2023 to mark the transfer, attended by the Presidents of Angola, Congo, and Zambia.[2][9][10]

The LAR will provide "a faster and safer route" for passenger trains in Angola, including the "Ombaka Express".[11] There are also plans to improve connectivity for copper and cobalt mines in Congo,[12] especially Kamoa-Kakula.[13]

The railway anticipates operating at least 1555 wagons and 30 locomotives in Angola; more, if Congo is included,[14] with the initial 275 wagons ordered from a South African manufacturer in June 2024.[15]

MV Lindsaylou, a bulk cargo vessel, was the first ship to dock at the LAR mineral terminal at the Port of Lobito, launching the venture's port operation in Angola on July 12, 2024. The cargo ship held sulphur to be transferred to LAR cargo trains for shipment to the DRC and used in refined copper production in the Katanga region.[16]

References

  1. ^ Lobito Atlantic Railway concession launched Railway Gazette. Access date: 2024-08-23
  2. ^ a b c Boechat, Geraldine. "Presidents of Angola, Zambia and DRC get together to launch Lobito corridor". Medafrica Times. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "Angola's Lobito corridor transferred to private freight concessionaire". International Railway Journal. Retrieved Feb 23, 2024.
  5. ^ Seven signatories for Lobito corridor extension MoU Rail Journal. Access date: 2024-08-23
  6. ^ DFC announces new financing for Lobito Corridor Access date: 2024-08-23
  7. ^ "United States looks to invest in Lobito Atlantic Railway Corridor". Mining Review. 24 May 2023.
  8. ^ Washington poised to lend $553 million to Lobito Atlantic Railway Africa Intelligence. Access date: 2024-08-23
  9. ^ "Concession for railway services transferred to Lobito Atlantic Railway in Angola".
  10. ^ https://twitter.com/Presidence_RDC/status/1676249624389070850
  11. ^ "Lobito Atlantic Railway concession launched". Railway Gazette International. 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  12. ^ "Angola's Lobito Corridor Railway Handed Over To International Operator | ConstructAfrica". constructafrica.com. Retrieved Feb 23, 2024.
  13. ^ "Ivanhoe Mines: United States Announces Support for Development of Lobito Atlantic Railway Corridor at the 2023 G7 Summit". Junior Mining Network. May 24, 2023. Retrieved 2024-02-23.
  14. ^ Ndebele, Lenin. "Trafigura-led consortium pledges R10.5bn for key rail project to link Angola, DRC and Zambia". News24. Retrieved Feb 23, 2024.
  15. ^ A South African manufacturer will supply 275 new container wagons for the Lobito railway project Access date: 2024-08-23
  16. ^ Consortium receives maiden vessel at Port of Lobito as concession takes shape Mining Weekly. Access date: 2024-08-23
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