Name and Location
Sena railway line project, Mozambique.

Client
Mozambique government.

Project Description
The project entails the rehabilitation and expansion of the existing 673-km-long Sena railway line, which connects the Moatize coalfields, in the western Tete province, to the Port of Beira, in the central Sofala province.

The project is a component of the planned improvements to the Beira transport corridor, aimed at linking the port to neighbouring Zimbabwe and Malawi, and the Moatize coal reserves by rebuilding and managing the railway system comprising the Machipanda and Sena lines.

After the upgrade has been completed, the line will carry 6.5-million tons of coal a year, up from two-million tons, before being expanded further.

Value
About $85-million will be used to rehabilitate the Sena line to carry 6.5-million tons of coal a year, with an additional $285-million earmarked to increase the railway’s capacity to 20-million tons.

Duration
The line was initially scheduled for completion in September 2009. It was later expected to be completed in March 2011; however, the project has fallen behind schedule is now expected to be completed by November 2012.

Latest Developments
CFM expects to complete the much-delayed refurbishment of the Sena rail line by the final quarter of this year.

The ports and railway company reports that all the work is on track.

CFM was asked to complete the upgrade of the rail line after the government cancelled a contract it had with India’s Rites and Ircon, when the consortium failed to deliver the project despite many delays.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique, or CFM (construction and rehabilitation of the railway line).

On Budget and on Time?
The project is reportedly behind schedule by 18 months.

Contact Details for Project Information
CFM, tel +258 213 24 239 or email joneca@tdm.com.mz.