The Limpopo line of Caminhos de ferro do Moçambique (CFM – the state railway & harbours) is expected to carry some 700,000 tonnes of coal and other goods in 2012. This projection is based on signs of improvement in the economic situation in Zimbabwe, and growing regional interest in the port of Maputo for international trade. The 522km railway, running from the Indian Ocean to the Zimbabwe border at Chicualacuala, was rebuilt in 2004 following extensive flood damage but there has been little demand for goods traffic to and from Zimbabwe since then. The line was leased to Rail India Technical and Economic Services Ltd (Rites) together with the Sena Line but CFM – disappointed with the company’s performance, especially with regard to infrastructure maintenance – has taken back the operation. CFM Board Chairman Rosario Mualeia says maintenance is to be stepped up to optimise capacity, which should be close to 2 mta. He told Radio Mozambique: “We already have customers who want to move 500,000 tonnes of ferrochrome along the line.”
Original article [Railways Africa]
