A train derailment on Angola’s Lobito Corridor has affected the transportation of commodities, including copper concentrates. The incident occurred between the Cavimbe and Cangumbe stations on Thursday, involving a train carrying sulfur, according to Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR).
The Lobito Corridor serves as a crucial trade route linking the resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo to Angola’s Lobito port on the Atlantic Ocean. This route is strategically important for the United States and European Union, which are seeking increased access to minerals essential for the transition to cleaner energy technologies.
No casualties were reported from the derailment, but approximately 400 meters of track were damaged. LAR stated that repairs would take about four days. During this time, the company will prioritize the resumption of passenger and fuel trains before returning to international sulfur and copper shipments.
LAR is a joint venture that includes global commodities trader Trafigura, Portuguese construction group Mota-Engil, and railway operator Vecturis. In 2022, LAR was granted a 30-year concession to operate the 1,300-kilometer rail network.