Traxtion has a contract with Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) to lease two G18U shunting locomotives for operations at the port of Lobito in Angola.
Although the South African rail freight company had previously leased U20C locomotives to LAR to move copper and other freight trains from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Angola, the port’s limitations specifically its inability to handle trains of up to 30 wagons necessitated an operational change. The new shunting locomotives will help improve the turnaround of the mainline locomotives, ensuring smoother operations at the port.
Besides leasing the locomotives, Traxtion will maintain them and provide training for local staff, ensuring that the equipment is well-managed and that operational expertise is built locally. According to Traxtion CEO James Holley, the first locomotive is expected to arrive in Angola “shortly,” while the second will be delivered later in the year once the necessary modifications and upgrades at Traxtion’s Rosslyn Rail Hub in Pretoria are complete.
Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR)
The Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) is a consortium comprising Trafigura, Mota-Engil, and Vecturis. The company operates the 1744km rail line from the port of Lobito in Angola to Kolwezi in the DRC and began operations under a 30-year concession in July 2023. This move by Traxtion underscores its ability to tailor solutions for challenging projects in Africa and its growing partnership with LAR in the region.