The Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) is a joint venture, operating trains along the Benguela railway corridor from the coast of Angola into the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Route
The railway runs from Lobito, on Angola's Atlantic coast, 1700km eastwards to Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with a proposed link to Zambia.Lobito Atlantic Railway concession launched Railway Gazette. Access date: 2024-08-23
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 DR Congo.
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.Seven signatories for Lobito corridor extension MoU Rail Journal. Access date: 2024-08-23 In alliance, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), in February 2024, approvedDFC announces new financing for Lobito Corridor Access date: 2024-08-23 a $250 million investment, increased, in June 2024, with a $553 million loan for development of the LAR.Washington poised to lend $553 million to Lobito Atlantic Railway Africa Intelligence. Access date: 2024-08-23
Operations The joint venture was awarded the concession to manage the Lobito rail corridor for 30 years in 2022. A ceremony was held in Lobito on 4 July 2023 to mark the transfer, attended by the presidents of Angola, DR Congo, and Zambia.https://twitter.com/Presidence_RDC/status/1676249624389070850
The LAR will provide "a faster and safer route" for passenger trains in Angola, including the "Ombaka Express". There are also plans to improve connectivity for copper and cobalt mines in DR Congo, especially Kamoa-Kakula.
The railway anticipates operating at least 1555 wagons and 30 locomotives in Angola; more if DR Congo is included, with the initial 275 wagons ordered from the South African company Galison Manufacturing in June 2024.A South African manufacturer will supply 275 new container wagons for the Lobito railway project Access date: 2024-08-23
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.Consortium receives maiden vessel at Port of Lobito as concession takes shape Mining Weekly. Access date: 2024-08-23
References