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Mozambique Railway Network

Mozambique's Railway Network: Infrastructure, Routes, and Economic Impact

Overview of Mozambique's Railway Network

Mozambique's railway network serves as a crucial component of the nation's transportation infrastructure, facilitating the connection between major ports and inland regions, and providing vital links to neighboring countries. This interconnected system plays a key role in the movement of goods—particularly minerals and agricultural products—as well as passenger transport. Spanning approximately 3,100 kilometers across the three economic corridors of Maputo in the south, Beira in the center, and Nacala in the north, the railway network significantly supports trade and economic integration within Southern Africa.

Historical Background

The origins of Mozambique's railway network date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries during the Portuguese colonial era. Today, it is managed by Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), the state-owned authority responsible for the ports and railways. The network comprises three semi-independent regional systems: CFM-South, CFM-Central, and CFM-North, each aligned with one of the country's major ports. These systems, however, remain unconnected due to their historical focus on serving specific colonial trade routes rather than forming a unified national railway. The railways throughout Mozambique operate on a 1,067 mm (Cape gauge) track—a standard gauge in Southern Africa, which ensures compatibility with rail systems in neighboring countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.

Current Infrastructure and Operations

In terms of infrastructure, Mozambique's railway network includes approximately 3,100 kilometers of operational and partially operational lines. Some sections remain under rehabilitation or have been abandoned, stemming from the devastation caused by the Mozambican Civil War from 1977 to 1992. The rolling stock currently in operation is limited and aging. As of 2023, CFM-South operates 20 locomotives, CFM-Central operates 15, and CFM-North operates 25. Although there have been recent acquisitions, including 10 new diesel locomotives for CFM-South in 2020, the entire rail network relies solely on diesel power, which increases overall operational costs. Maintenance of the network varies significantly by region, with CFM-South benefiting from public-private partnerships that facilitate upgrades. Conversely, CFM-Central and CFM-North face delays largely due to ongoing funding constraints. Notably, freight capacity dominates the services offered, as freight trains primarily transport coal, minerals, agricultural products, and containers, while passenger services are limited mainly to suburban routes like Maputo to Matola and Beira to Dondo.

Impact of the Civil War

The destruction caused by the civil war led to a drastic reduction in operational capacity—down to about 20% by 1992. However, post-war reconstruction efforts have gradually restored critical rail lines with support from international donors, such as the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), along with private investors. Despite these efforts, certain lines, including the Gaza and Zambezia railways, remain either non-operational or underutilized.

Economic Corridors of Mozambique's Railway Network

Mozambique's railway network is categorized into three major economic corridors, each anchored by a significant port and extending regions inland or connecting to neighboring countries.

  • The CFM-South Corridor: Known as the Maputo Corridor, it connects the Port of Maputo to South Africa's Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces, as well as to Eswatini. Major routes include the Ressano Garcia line, which runs from Maputo to Ressano Garcia on the South African border, extending further into Pretoria and Johannesburg. The Limpopo Line facilitates trade with Zimbabwe by linking Maputo to Chicualacuala, while the Goba Line connects Maputo with Eswatini.
  • The Beira Corridor: Also known as CFM-Central, this corridor links the Port of Beira to Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Key routes here include the Beira-Bulawayo line, which connects Beira to Mutare in Zimbabwe, and the Sena Line, which serves the coalfields in Moatize.
  • The Nacala Corridor: Referred to as CFM-North, it connects the Port of Nacala to Mozambique's Tete Province and extends to Malawi and Zambia. The Nacala Railway serves as the main route, connecting Moatize to Nacala via a network that includes several regional towns.

Operational Status of the Corridors

  • Maputo Corridor: The Maputo Corridor is fully operational, having been rehabilitated post-1992 with investments from both South African and Mozambican sources. The corridor handles approximately 10 million tons of freight annually, transporting commodities such as chrome, sugar, and containers. Passenger services on the corridor are limited, primarily serving suburban routes, but they significantly contribute to the overall functionality of the network. This corridor plays an essential economic role by serving South Africa's industrial hub and supporting southern Mozambique's agricultural exports. However, it faces challenges such as delays at the Ressano Garcia border and competition from South African ports like Durban.
  • Beira Corridor: The Beira-Bulawayo line is operational and benefited from rehabilitation in 2005, while the Sena Line underwent significant rebuilding by 2017, increasing its capacity to 6.5 million tons of coal annually with plans to further expand. This corridor plays a critical economic role, facilitating coal exports and allowing agricultural goods to flow from Malawi and trade with Zimbabwe. Challenges associated with the Beira Corridor include the damages inflicted by Cyclone Idai in 2019, which disrupted rail operations, and the need for infrastructure upgrades on Malawi's rail link. Some coal traffic has begun to shift toward the Nacala Corridor, further complicating logistics in the region.
  • Nacala Corridor: The Nacala Railway has undergone significant updates and enhancements through investments from Vale Moçambique, amounting to $1.7 billion. With its current focus on coal exports, the Nacala Railway handles 2 million tons of cargo annually, including freight such as cotton and tobacco, although passenger services remain nonexistent. However, similar to the other corridors, the Nacala Corridor faces challenges, particularly related to security issues due to insurgency activities in Cabo Delgado, which have disrupted operations. High maintenance costs and a limited focus on non-coal freight activities also pose barriers to diversifying the corridor's economic contributions.
Summary

In summary, Mozambique's railway network plays an integral role in its economic landscape, supporting trade, resource extraction, and enhancing connectivity both within the country and with neighboring regions. The rail systems transport approximately 15 million tons of freight annually, with each corridor contributing significantly to overall trade volumes. However, challenges persist in the form of infrastructure gaps, climate vulnerabilities, and financing constraints, which necessitate strategic investments and cooperative efforts. Recent developments, such as modernization initiatives in Nacala and proposed expansions to the Sena line, reflect a commitment to improving railway efficiency and addressing these challenges. With continued focus on logistical improvements, security enhancements, and infrastructure upgrades, Mozambique can enhance the performance of its railway network, fostering economic growth and regional integration in Southern Africa.

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