Multinational commodities trader Trafigura has announced that Angola has received its first vessel at the minerals terminal at the Port of Lobito, a development expected to transform bimodal logistics serving the Copperbelt in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
On July 12, the MV Lindsaylou, a bulk cargo vessel loaded with 40,500 tonnes of sulfur, docked at Lobito, marking the commencement of port operations for the Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR), the concession holder responsible for the operation, management, and maintenance of the pit-to-port rail link. The vessel was loaded in Qatar and arrived in Lobito after a month-long journey.
The unloading and storage of the cargo are being executed entirely with local labor and equipment sourced from Angola.
Operations are following all required environmental and safety procedures, utilizing two automatic hoppers designed and manufactured in Angola.
The sulfur cargo will be initially stored in bags at the mineral terminal before being loaded onto LAR international cargo trains bound for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to support refined copper production by mining companies in the Katanga area.
Francisco Franca, president of LAR’s Board of Directors, stated that the arrival of the Lindsaylou signifies the final step in integrating the logistics necessary to operationalize and fully develop the railway line.
“LAR reaffirms its commitment to being the most important logistics corridor in the region and aims to increase railway and port operations to achieve the strategic objectives of the Government of Angola in this crucial corridor for regional economic development,” he added.
The LAR’s port operations follow rehabilitation work completed after the start of railway operations in January.
These improvements have facilitated the circulation of 1,800 trains, including both passenger and freight trains (national and international), with two international freight trains per week traveling from the DRC to the Port of Lobito and approximately 50 domestic freight trains each month.
Future plans include ramping up operations to six international freight trains in transit each day after additional investments are made.
The project to refurbish the railway line represents an investment exceeding $800 million over the concession’s lifetime, aimed at renovating sections of the railway line and enhancing associated infrastructure, along with investments in wagons and locomotives.
A financing package, which may involve a potential investment from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, is currently under discussion.
LAR has already begun investing in the purchase of rolling stock and initiated maintenance work on the existing line.
Currently, over 650 workers are employed by the consortium, focusing on maintenance and improvement operations along the line from Lobito to Luau at the DRC border, as well as at the mineral terminal.
