[2019-02-26] Mozambique’s state ports and railway company buys locomotives and wagons

Source: Macauhub

Mozambique’s state-owned ports and railways company CFM recently invested US$37.5 million in own funds to increase rolling stock with the acquisition of five new locomotives and 300 platform wagons, a source at the company told Mozambican news agency AIM.

The source said that the locomotives, which are already in Maputo, have the capacity to tow wagons carrying 2,700 tonnes of cargo, compared with 1,800 tonnes carried by the equipment currently in use.

The new engines were bought in the United States, while the wagons come from neighbouring South Africa, and are expected to arrive in Mozambique soon.

The company had not bought wagons for more than two decades, and in the last few years had survived by refurbishing its rolling stock, which is considered to be very expensive.

To minimise the deficit in rolling stock, CFM has also been renting equipment from neighbouring countries, especially Zimbabwe, which, according to the source, will also come to an end.

“With this acquisition, CFM can respond to customer needs, both on the Ressano Garcia Line and on the Limpopo Line, respectively, from South Africa and Zimbabwe,” he said.