THE African Development Bank (ADB) approved a $US 40m loan to state-owned operator Mozambique Ports & Railways (CFM) for the acquisition of new locomotives and rolling stock on January 31.
CFM plans to purchase 10 2.4MW diesel-electric locomotives, 300 covered wagons and 120 tank wagons. The loan includes a three-year maintenance and staff training contract for the locomotives.
The new fleets will run on CFM’s main line, the 88km Maputo Corridor that links the port of Maputo with the South African border, and are expected to lead to a significant modal shift from road to rail.
The Maputo Corridor, also known as the Ressano Garcia line, is used mainly for the transport of bulk minerals, including magnetite, ferrochrome, chromium ore and coal, from the mining belt of northeast South Africa to the port of Maputo.
CFM expects to purchase the new fleets this year.
ADB believes that the additional freight capacity they will provide will significantly increase national export income to $US 360m by 2036, up from $US 225m in 2002, and will generate $US 1bn in tax revenue for Mozambique.
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