Infrastructure Logistics

Angolan Government awards concession tender for critical Lobito Corridor railway

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The Angolan Transport Ministry has awarded the 30-year concession for rail services and logistics support over the Lobito Corridor to the consortium of Trafigura (49.5%), Mota-Engil (49.5%), and Vecturis (1%).

The Lobito Corridor is a key route that connects mines in the D.R. Congo to the Lobito Port in central Angola, from where commodities can be exported to global markets. Until now, exporting Congo’s copper, cobalt and metals required several weeks by connecting to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Beira in Mozambique, or as far as Durban in South Africa.

The concession follows a competitive tender and can be extended by another 20 years after its initial period.

“With increased dynamics in the transportation of minerals and other materials in the coming years and improved competitiveness of the rail system, it is expected that the Lobito Corridor could become the 3rd most important corridor in the SADC region by 2050,” Trafigura said in response to the award.

The private consortium will operate, manage, and maintain the rail infrastructure that links the Port of Lobito to Luau in eastern Angola, next to the DRC border. Key commodities include minerals, liquids, gas, and cargo transport. A significant investment is notably expected into improving the infrastructure and rolling stock for freight operations to increase capacity.

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