Mozambique Railways and Zimbabwe’s National Railways have signed agreements enabling CFM to run locomotives in Zimbabwe, enhancing freight efficiency between the nations. Key rail corridors have been established, and both parties committed to supporting railway operations and cargo volumes, following CFM’s earlier cross-border agreements with South Africa.
Maputo recently witnessed the signing of significant agreements between Mozambique Railways (CFM) and the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) aimed at facilitating smoother freight transport between the two nations. The partnership enables CFM to operate its locomotives within Zimbabwe, enhancing service reliability and cost-effectiveness for businesses engaged in freight rail.
Prominent officials, including CFM Chairman Agostinho Langa Júnior and NRZ Chairman Michael Madiro, attended the signing ceremony. The agreements specifically cover key rail corridors: the Southern Corridor, which spans 148 kilometers from Chicualacuala to Rutenga, and the Central Corridor, which stretches 84 kilometers between Machipanda and Nyazura.
Under the terms of the agreements, CFM is responsible for providing operational locomotives, staff, fuel, and other necessary resources to facilitate at least two daily round-trips. In exchange, NRZ will ensure sufficient cargo volumes for transport while maintaining railway infrastructure to guarantee safe operation of CFM’s locomotives.
This framework follows CFM’s earlier arrangement with South Africa’s Transnet Freight Rail, which simplifies cross-border operations by allowing trains to traverse from Mpumalanga to the Port of Maputo without requiring locomotive changes. Such arrangements have significantly reduced transit times, optimizing freight operations.
The initial phase of this collaboration has already seen a 23% increase in magnetite export volumes and has not only been expanded to include chrome and ferrochrome exports but also the operation of three daily trains.
The recent agreements between CFM and NRZ mark a pivotal advancement in enhancing rail freight operations between Mozambique and Zimbabwe. By allowing CFM to operate its locomotives in Zimbabwe and ensuring the necessary logistical support, the partnership aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs for businesses. This initiative builds on CFM’s previous agreements with Transnet Freight Rail, indicating a positive trajectory for regional transportation initiatives.
Original Source: www.freightnews.co.za
