Resumption of cross-border freight traffic marks a key milestone in restoring operations along the Lobito Corridor following flood-related disruptions
Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) has received its first international copper train from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following the reopening of the railway section between Lobito and Huambo, marking the resumption of freight traffic along the strategic Lobito Corridor.
Rail operations along the corridor were disrupted for the past two months after severe flooding struck Angola’s Benguela Province in April 2026, damaging critical rail infrastructure and interrupting cargo movements.
“The arrival of this first international train from the DRC demonstrates the resilience of our operations and the extraordinary commitment of our teams. In just a few weeks, we recovered critical infrastructure and restored the railway connection, reaffirming the strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor for Angola and the wider region,” said Nicholas Fournier, CEO of Lobito Atlantic Railway.
To minimise disruptions during the restoration period, LAR maintained freight and passenger services between Huambo and Luau through a multimodal contingency solution operated from the Dango Multimodal Platform. The alternative logistics arrangement ensured the continued movement of domestic and international cargo while repair work was underway.
The successful restoration of rail connectivity and the return of international freight services show the Lobito Corridor’s growing role as a vital trade and transport route linking Angola to regional markets, including the DRC’s copper-producing regions.