First Batch of Chinese-Built Rail Wagons Arrive at Lobito Port
Enhanced Corridor Capacity to Boost Regional Cooperation in Africa
Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) recently announced the arrival of the first 100 container rail wagons at Angola’s Port of Lobito on July 11. Manufactured by CRRC and shipped by COSCO, the wagons mark the beginning of deliveries under a 275-wagon order. This delivery will significantly strengthen regional logistics efficiency along the Lobito Corridor.
Upgrading a Strategic Artery to Safeguard Mineral Supply Chains
As a vital transport artery linking the Atlantic coast to Africa Copperbelt, the 1,300-kilometer Lobito Corridor plays a critical role in the global energy transition by facilitating the flow of key minerals. These newly delivered wagons, designed for high-efficiency container transport, will boost the turnover of bulk cargo and gradually take on the cross-border movement of copper, cobalt, and other metals critical to the energy transition.
The Angolan government awarded LAR a 30-year concession to operate the Lobito railway, with a core mandate to modernise infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency, and promote regional trade integration. The deployment of new rail wagons represents a key milestone in fulfilling that strategic vision.
Capacity Expansion to Unlock Economic Potential
The new wagons were put into service immediately upon arrival, significantly reducing the logistics cycle and costs for mineral transport. Their deployment further consolidates Angola’s position as a strategic logistics hub in Southern Africa and injects fresh momentum into regional economic development.
Fleet Modernisation Drives Corridor Transformation
Nicholas Fournier, CEO of Lobito Atlantic Railway, commented: “The smooth delivery of the first batch of China-built rail wagons marks an important milestone. As more modern railcars enter service, we will greatly enhance the capacity and reliability of the Lobito Corridor, offering more competitive logistics solutions to mineral exporters, regional trade partners, and international clients. These wagons represent another major step forward in LAR’s journey to becoming a leading regional rail operator.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Lobito Atlantic Railway’s press office:
Dina Cortinhas | | dcortinhas@jlma.co.ao | +244 912 888 150
Jorge Salvador | jsalvador@jlma.co.ao | +244 927 323 722
About the Lobito Atlantic Railway
A 30-year concession has been awarded to the Lobito Atlantic Railway consortium joint-venture comprising Trafigura, a market leader in the global commodities industry, Mota-Engil, an international construction and infrastructure management company and Vecturis SA, an independent rail operator.
Since January 2024, the Lobito Atlantic Railway has been operating, managing and maintaining the railway line that extends across Angola for almost 1,300km 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 (SNCC) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Kolwezi, the heart of the Copperbelt.
The Lobito Atlantic Railway also operates the mineral terminal at the Port of Lobito that connects to the railway line. The port facilitates a faster and efficient service in a decongested port on the Atlantic coast.
LAR currently employs more than 650 members of staff who are divided between company management and railway and port operations. They have mainly transferred from CFB - Caminhos de Ferro de Benguela and the Port of Lobito - and are expected to grow in number significantly due to the increase in the concessionaire's activity.
After investment, the railway will provide a quicker western route to market for minerals and metals produced in the Congolese Copperbelt. The upgraded railway line will also help bring vital goods and resources into the region and support business development and commercial activity along the route.
The LAR consortium is the concession holder for the operation, management and maintenance of the Lobito corridor railway linking Angola to the Democratic Republic of Congo. A separate US-EU supported pre-feasibility study is underway into extending the Lobito railway from northern Zambia to eastern Angola.
Visit: Lobito Atlantic Railway LinkedIn profile