Lobito: Lobito Atlantic Railway, the entity responsible for the operation, management, and maintenance of the Lobito Corridor, has announced an intensification in the specialized training of its workforce since October 2024. This initiative aims to align the workforce with the operational expansion of the railway infrastructure.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the company disclosed in a press release that it is implementing an extensive recruitment and professional training program. This program is designed to significantly enhance efficiency and safety within Angola’s railway sector. Train drivers and conductors are currently undergoing a structured training program at the Huambo Training Center. This program consists of three phases: the first began in October 2024 with 36 employees, the second commenced this year with 34 employees, and the final phase is slated for July, adding another 36 technicians, bringing the total to 106 trained personnel.
This strategic development is intended to accommodate the growing demand and fortify transportation infrastructure, ensuring readiness to handle future increases in goods flow.
The Lobito Atlantic Railway consortium, a 30-year joint venture involving Trafigura, Mota-Engil, and Vecturis SA, has been managing the 1,300-kilometer railway line since January 2024. This line stretches from the Port of Lobito to the municipality of Luau in Moxico-East province, connecting with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s railway network to Kolwezi in the Copper Belt.
Additionally, Lobito Atlantic Railway manages the mineral terminal at the Port of Lobito, providing expedited service in one of the least congested ports on the Atlantic coast. Currently, the company employs over 650 personnel spread across administration, railway, and port operations. Most employees have transitioned from the Benguela Railway and the Port of Lobito, and the workforce is expected to grow in tandem with increasing activities, facilitating a faster western route for transporting minerals and metals from the Congolese Copper Belt.
Furthermore, a separate pre-feasibility study, backed by the United States and the European Union, is underway to potentially extend the railway from Lobito to northern Zambia.