LAR in Angola reinforces transport capacity with new wagons
(Posted on 20/11/24)
The Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) has taken an important step this week towards strengthening its transport capacity with the arrival in Lobito, Angola, of the first batch of 275 new container wagons purchased from Galison Manufacturing in South Africa.
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.
LAR also operates the Porto do Lobito Mineral Terminal, which connects to the railway line, providing faster and more efficient service in one of the most uncongested ports on the Atlantic coast.
This strategic investment into new wagons is part of LAR's expansion and modernization plan over the next three years. The wagons include a modern pneumatic braking system and light steel structure, contributing to safer and more efficient transport operations.
The new wagons, weighing 13.5 tons and with a load capacity of up to 60.5 tons, are designed to each carry one 40-foot container or two 20-foot containers, offering logistical flexibility to LAR and its customers' operations. These wagons will reinforce LAR's ability to increase the volume and capacity of the railway for commercial cargoes in the coming years.
The arrival of this batch of wagons is the first of a series of weekly deliveries expected from now until 2026, progressively expanding LAR’s fleet. This investment highlights LAR's commitment to modern and safe equipment, aligned with its growth plan and the need to respond to market demand.
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.
LAR currently employs more than 650 employees, divided between the company's management and railway and port operations. These workers have mostly transferred from CFB - Caminhos de Ferro de Benguela and the Porto of Lobito, and are expected to grow significantly in number 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.
Latest News
Euroports secures long-term future in Venice with 25-year deal
(Posted on 31/03/25)Euroports has announced the renewal of the concession for Terminal Rinfuse Venezia (TRV) at Porto Marghera... Read more
Panama Canal promotes sustainable maritime shipping with NetZero Slot
(Posted on 27/03/25)Contributing to the commitment of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the Panama Canal authority has... Read more
Saguenay Port brings electric-driven Konecranes Gottwald MHC to Canada
(Posted on 27/03/25)The Saguenay Port Authority in Quebec has ordered a Konecranes Gottwald ESP.6B Mobile Harbor Crane for... Read more
Cas König joins North Sea Port as new CEO
(Posted on 18/03/25)North Sea Port Supervisory Body has appointed Cas König as the port authority's new CEO. Kö... Read more
Inspirational leader, Trois-Rivières Port President and CEO, Bovin to retire this year
(Posted on 12/03/25)After 19 years at the helm of the Port of Trois-Rivières and a career rich in major projects,... Read more
State-of-the-art cranes for Egyptian multipurpose cargo terminal
(Posted on 06/03/25)Abu Dhabi based AD Ports Group, an enabler of integrated trade, transport and logistics solutions, has... Read more
Call for swift implementation of Europe’s Clean Industrial Deal
(Posted on 01/03/25)The Port of Rotterdam and Port of Antwerp-Bruges have welcomed the Clean Industrial Deal, through which... Read more
Canadian Government invests $87.1M in Trois-Rivières Terminals project
(Posted on 28/02/25)The Canadian Port of Trois-Rivières is delighted to have received major funding of $87.1 million... Read more
Katoen Natie invests in four all-electric Konecranes Gottwald MHCs
(Posted on 15/02/25)Belgian logistics giant Katoen Natie has ordered four all-electric Konecranes Gottwald Mobile Harbor... Read more
AD Ports reports another year of record results
(Posted on 14/02/25)AD Ports Group, Abu Dhabi based enabler of integrated trade, transport and logistics solutions, has... Read more
