Railways Africa NewsXpress: Week 03:2024
Enhancing Safety and Sustainability in Public Transport:
Espresso
Bite-size takeaways
Transnet Freight Rail Tran Collision Near Elubana
Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has reported that in the early hours of Sunday, 14 January 2024, two of its trains collided near Elubana, just outside Richards Bay on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. Teams from TFR were immediately dispatched to the site, and recovery operations are underway. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. Environmental experts are also present at the site to ensure that the recovery and clean-up operations adhere to environmental standards. An inquiry has been initiated to ascertain the cause of the incident.
In an updated statement, TFR says it expects rail service to resume before midnight on Thursday, 18 January on Line 2, and on Saturday, 20 January, on Line 1, subject to the weather conditions.
Mauritania: SNIM Surpasses 14 Million Tonnes In Annual Sales
On 30 December 2023, SNIM announced that it had achieved a historic milestone by surpassing 14 million tonnes in annual sales. The success can be attributed to SNIM’s strategic program and the dedication of its workforce.
SNIM’s strategy aims to bring operational transformation and contribute significantly to the national economy. Historically, SNIM has played a vital role, contributing 22% to state budget revenues, 9% to the gross national product, and accounting for 32% of export volume in 2022.
LAMATA And Police Join Forces To Secure Upcoming Red Line Rail Project
The Lagos State Police Command and the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) are collaborating to ensure the security of lives and property, particularly in relation to the upcoming LRMT – Red Line Rail project.
This partnership comes in response to recent protest actions that caused significant damage to transport infrastructure. By strengthening their security ties, they aim to provide a robust security presence along the rail corridor. This effort is crucial for protecting passengers and infrastructure, thereby ensuring that Lagos State can offer a safe and efficient transportation alternative for commuters. The Red Line Rail project is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2024.
CRRC’s Qishuyan Company successfully ships four CDA5A1 locomotives to Guinea
In December 2023, CRRC’s Qishuyan Company noted that they had successfully shipped four CDA5A1 locomotives to Guinea. The locomotives are for the Guinea-Dasheng Railway.
The locomotive purchase deal was signed between CRRC Qishuyan Company and Win Alliance Guinea Railway Company on 30 June 2023.
Uganda – Kawolo Concrete Sleeper Factory Temporarily Closes
United Manganese of Kalahari
International: ATAC S.p.A. has awarded CAF the framework contract for the supply of the new tram fleet
trams, train maintenance for 5 years and the associated fleet spares. There is also an option
to increase the number of units in the project by a further 81, taking the total to 121. The base
contract is worth in excess of €130m, which could grow to in excess of €400m should the
customer make use of all the options provided for in the contract.
ATAC S.p.A., the public transport concessionaire for the metropolitan area of Rome, which is wholly owned by the City Council of Rome, is the largest urban transport company in Italy and one of the leading European players. In addition to the tram network, it also controls Rome’s three metro lines, the suburban train, as well as the urban bus and trolleybus lines that provide the backbone of the city’s transport network.
Ethio-Djibouti Railway
30 December 2023, the Ethio-Djibouti Railway noted a significant milestone in its operations by transporting over 81,000 containers, indicating a robust increase in its cargo handling capacity since the start of services in 2018.
Egypt Project Update: Robeiky – 10th of Ramadan – Belbeis Railway Line Project
Mauritius Metro Express incident at St Louis Station
On Thursday, 11 January 2024, an incident occurred at the Metro Express St Louis Station wherein a glass pane from the roof canopy cracked and fell onto the platform area below. The precise cause of the glass pane’s fall onto the platform is currently under investigation.
Fortunately, no passengers were on the platform at that time, and nobody was harmed.
Necessary actions have been initiated to temporarily cover the broken part of the canopy using polycarbonate sheets. The permanent replacement with a new glass pane will be undertaken once the materials reach Mauritius in February 2024.
As a precautionary measure, technical teams have conducted surveys at all stations to inspect the glass infrastructure and take necessary actions if required.
Photo Credit China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) – website
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) – Nigeria
In December 2023, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) completed the track laying from Port Harcourt to Aba on the Nigeria Railway Corporation’s (NRC) Eastern Narrow-Gauge Railway project.
The Nigeria Eastern Narrow-Gauge Railway, extending over 2,044.1 kilometres, connects Harcourt Port, the nation’s second-largest port, with the northern city of Maiduguri. This line passes through 12 states and numerous principal cities in the eastern region. As a key element of Nigeria’s railway network, it is poised to considerably enhance the connectivity between local railways, ports, and cities.
Nigerian Railway Corporation Confirms Imminent Resumption Of Aba-Port-Harcourt Train Services
Advancing Africa’s Rail Network: Insights From The Africa Integrated High Speed Railway Network Workshop
Join us for a special edition of “Coffee with the Editor” as we sit down with Eric Ntagengerwa from the African Union during the recently held railway technical experts workshop on the Africa Integrated High Speed Railway Network, a flagship project of the AU Agenda 2063, held in Addis Ababa from 12-14th December 2023.
Eric provides an in-depth look at the workshop’s objectives, including assessing the progress of pilot railway projects, discussing challenges in funding and regulation, and the importance of the Luxembourg Rail Protocol. He also highlights the need for a robust information exchange platform and capacity building in the railway sector. Discover the key takeaways and renewed commitments from railway agencies and member states to collaboratively advance this monumental project.
Stay tuned for more updates and progress reports on this transformative project, as we continue to bring you the latest from the heart of African rail transport developments.
Unveiling Africa’s Railway Future: Exclusive Interview with Ibrah Wahabou, AUDA-NEPAD
In a recent enlightening Coffee with the Editor, Ibrah Wahabou, the Senior Programme Officer at the African Union Development Agency (AUDA) – NEPAD, we delved into the intricacies of Africa’s rail infrastructure development. Held in the vibrant city of Addis Ababa, this conversation was not just an exchange of ideas but a deep dive into the future of African connectivity.
Transforming Railways In Tanzania: An Exclusive Interview With TRC’s Director General, Mr. Kadogosa
Join us in this exclusive Coffee with the Editor session, where our Editor sits down with Mr. Masanja K. Kadogosa, the Director General of Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC). Discover the groundbreaking developments in Tanzania’s railway network.
From the near completion of the Dar es Salaam-Morogoro and Morogoro-Dodoma sections to future projects linking Tanzania with neighbouring countries, delve into the ambitious plans that are set to revolutionise railway transportation in East Africa.
Hear more about TRC’s approach to open access and partnerships with the private sector, as well as their strategic focus on integrated freight services. Mr. Kadogosa also provides insights into the significant investments, greenfield railway projects, maintenance strategies and skill development programmes shaping the future of Tanzania’s railways.
Subscribe for more insightful interviews and stay tuned as we bring you more updates on Africa’s evolving rail transport landscape.
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