This past week, African Rail Company (ARC), in partnership with Mozambique Railways (CFM), operated the first fuel train to Malawi. The train departed from the Port of Beira, carrying 48 tanktainers, (24 wagons), with its final destination being Marka, in the Malawian district of Nsanje, which borders Vila Nova da Fronteira on the Mozambican side. Members of the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) and ARC were at Marka to receive the inaugural fuel train.
On Wednesday, 11 September 2024, the President of Malawi, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, along with various dignitaries, members of the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) and ARC, celebrated the arrival of a 24-tank wagon train carrying 1.2 million litres of fuel from Beira to Marka Train Station. This marked the first time in 41 years that the railway line and Marka Station had been used.
The successful delivery of fuel to the end customer, NOCMA, was made possible through a unique intermodal solution involving both rail and trucking, facilitated by ARC. Since the railway line to Blantyre is not yet fully constructed, ARC transported loaded rail wagons across the border into Malawi and established a transshipment site.
Leveraging its significant investments and expertise, ARC successfully delivered the train using its own locomotive, in partnership with Traxtion.
At the transshipment site, the fuel was transferred from rail to trucks, which then completed the journey to the NOCMA facility in Blantyre for offloading. ARC partnered with Rashy Motors for the trucking component of this operation.
With over a decade of experience, ARC has successfully delivered nearly half a billion litres of fuel across Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, the DRC and now Malawi. With the existing infrastructure and a strong commitment from NOCMA, more trains are expected to arrive consistently to support the country’s fuel supply.
Once the proof of concept (POC) is fully completed and evaluated, ARC and NOCMA aim to deliver around 10 million litres of fuel per month, which will contribute significantly to reviving the Malawian economy. In addition to fuel, ARC is also capable of transporting dry bulk and containers, which will further open the corridor to various other commodities.
Railway Rehabilitation
Recently rebuilt and financed by CFM’s own funds at an estimated cost of 30 million US dollars, the line that ARC used had previously been used solely for trains carrying construction materials for the reconstruction of the track extension on the Malawian side, a project that CFM supported at the request of the neighbouring country.
While CFM has completed its section of the railway rehabilitation project, covering roughly 44km, Malawi is still working on completing its section. The entire Marka–Bangula railway project in Nsanje District is being upgraded and rehabilitated as a single-line track with a gauge of 1,067mm, capable of operating at a design speed of 70km/h over the entire 72km section. The railway at Marka further connects with Mozambique at Vila Nova da Fronteira railway station and then to the Port of Beira through Mutarara, a railway junction on the Sena line from Moatize to Beira Port. All bridges, culverts, and the entire embankment and cuttings are being constructed to support a 20.5-tonne axle load.
While the project on the Malawian side, originally scheduled for completion in November 2023, has been delayed due to various factors, including costs and weather, some progress has been made. This progress includes the completion and approval of updated detailed designs for the track and railway infrastructure by the Ministry, along with the final scope of the project. As of August 2024, railway track installation had been completed up to 3km from the border, including the mainline and loop line at Marka station, which is now capable of receiving trains. Additionally, earthworks and bridge construction have advanced to 17km from the border at Marka. Once completed, hopefully by the end of this year, the line will provide uninterrupted access to both the Nacala and Beira trade routes via rail.
For now, this means that Malawi can receive goods from Beira via railway while construction of the 72-kilometre Marka–Bangula project is still in progress.
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