Switch to rail as Tazara service gets a facelift

Unlike most other Southern African countries, there is a shift back to rail in Zambia. Many of the freight companies interviewed by FTW are now using rail, with the historic Tazara service between the Copperbelt and Dar es Salaam being upgraded. The line runs from the Tanzanian port to the town of New Kapiri Mposhi in Central Zambia, where it links with the existing Zambia Railways System. Tazara has an agreement with the Railway Systems of Zambia (RSZ) for seamless connection of cargo between Dar Es Salaam and Copperbelt/Lusaka. “Our clients can now transport their cargo between the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania on one hand and Ndola and Lusaka in Zambia without transhipment,” says the company. This has contributed to the line becoming more cost effective, while safety issues have also been addressed. All trains are escorted by armed state police officers to ensure and guarantee the safety of customers’ goods at all times, as well as strict accountability by handling crews, according to a company spokesperson. Trains are pulled by some of the most powerful diesel electric locos in the region, while the railway has over 1 500 wagons in service, ranging in capacity from 30 to 90 metric tons. “Besides seamless connection, the contract has a mutual benefit to both railways of improved availability of rolling stock. This is because the wagons and locomotives from RSZ can move on Tazara line and vice versa,” says the company. Freight forwarders interviewed by FTW said greater reliability of the train service, organised gangs targeting copper road shipments, and lack of maintenance of the roads were all contributing to putting freight rail back on the tracks in the sub-region. The upgrading of the Tazara link started in 2008 with the launch of a strategic plan designed to increase levels of freight by 60% and passengers by 40%, according to the company. Speaking in July last year at a media conference to celebrate the line’s 33rd birthday, Tazara deputy managing director Damas Ndumbaro said the company had embarked on an “ambitious programme” to target freight landed in Dar es Salaam and destined for the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and Zambia. Tazara is repairing and rehabilitating its existing equipment in its own workshops, and has purchased locomotives, container wagons, a rescue crane and other equipment worth around US$40-million from China.