Tanzania revives plans for 1 000 km Southern Railway

TANZANIA: Tanzania Railways Corp has signed a memorandum of understanding with Egyptian construction group Arab Contractors to reassess proposals for a 1 000 km standard gauge Southern Railway which would link the Indian Ocean port of Mtwara with Mbamba Bay on Lake Malawi (Nyasa). The line would run via Songea and have branches serving the Mchuchuma coalfield and Liganga iron ore deposits. It is envisaged that these could support domestic steel production. It is also hoped that the railway could carry agricultural traffic and provide a regional trade corridor towards Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia via the lake and onward road transport.

The MoU was signed in Dar es Salaam on October 16, in the presence of Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa who said the work must establish transport demand, project costs, economic benefits and potential financing arrangements.

Arab Contractors will finance the preliminary work and feasibility studies, with an initial report expected within three months. TRC will provide technical information and co-ordinate the participation of relevant authorities.

Subject to approval of the report, a detailed feasibility study is to be completed within nine months, with a further nine months to be used to prepare a project proposal meeting financing requirements.

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