Rail transport in Malawi
Encyclopedia
Malawi Railways is the national rail network in Malawi
, run by a government corporation until privatisation in 1999. As of 1 December 1999 the Central East African Railways, a consortium led by Railroad Development Corporation, won the right to operate the network.
The rail network totalled 797 kilometres in 2001. It is a narrow gauge
line with a gauge track.
as there is a / break of gauge. A rail link to Chipata
in Zambia
was opened in 2010. The Nacala Corridor line to Mozambique via Nayuchi to the port of Nacala
, and Nsanje
to the Dona Ana Bridge
and Beira
, has not been operational since the war in Mozambique and is in need of reconstruction.
In April 2011, the Malawi government and the Brazilian mining company Vale signed an agreement to construct a 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) railway line from coal mines in Moatize
to Blantyre
, where it would connect with tracks to the port of Nacala
.
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
, run by a government corporation until privatisation in 1999. As of 1 December 1999 the Central East African Railways, a consortium led by Railroad Development Corporation, won the right to operate the network.
The rail network totalled 797 kilometres in 2001. It is a narrow gauge
Narrow gauge
A narrow gauge railway is a railway that has a track gauge narrower than the of standard gauge railways. Most existing narrow gauge railways have gauges of between and .- Overview :...
line with a gauge track.
Railway links with adjacent countries
There is no direct link with neighbouring TanzaniaRail transport in Tanzania
Rail transport in Tanzania is conducted by two companies:* Tanzania Railways Corporation* TAZARA- Railway links with adjacent countries : Burundi - no - proposed DR Congo - decades ago there was a train ferry between Kigoma and Kalemie, in 2007 there are no ferry links and the DR Congo line to...
as there is a / break of gauge. A rail link to Chipata
Chipata
Chipata, population 98,416, is the capital of the Eastern Province of Zambia. The two languages spoken are Nyanja and English, though you might find some Indian languages, as there is a large number of Zambian Indians located in the town...
in Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
was opened in 2010. The Nacala Corridor line to Mozambique via Nayuchi to the port of Nacala
Nacala
Nacala, also known as Cidade de Nacala or Nacala-Porto is on the northern coast of Mozambique is the deepest natural port on the east coast of Africa. It serves as the terminal for the Nacala Railway, a rail link to the landlocked Malawi...
, and Nsanje
Nsanje
Nsanje is the main town in Nsanje District within the Southern Region of Malawi.- Transport :The town is the headquarters of Malawi Railways. The railway at Nsanje is however closed needing major investment...
to the Dona Ana Bridge
Dona Ana Bridge
The Dona Ana Bridge spans the lower Zambezi River between the towns of Vila de Sena and Mutarara in Mozambique, effectively linking the two halves of the country...
and Beira
Beira, Mozambique
Beira is the second largest city in Mozambique. It lies in the central region of the country in Sofala Province, where the Pungue River meets the Indian Ocean. Beira had a population of 412,588 in 1997, which grew to an estimated 546,000 in 2006...
, has not been operational since the war in Mozambique and is in need of reconstruction.
In April 2011, the Malawi government and the Brazilian mining company Vale signed an agreement to construct a 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) railway line from coal mines in Moatize
Moatize
Moatize is a town and district located in Tete Province in Mozambique. It is located near the town of Tete and near the Zambezi River.- Economy :...
to Blantyre
Blantyre, Malawi
Blantyre or Mandala is Malawi's centre of finance and commerce, the largest city with an estimated 732,518 inhabitants . It is sometimes referred to as the commercial capital of Malawi as opposed to the political capital, Lilongwe...
, where it would connect with tracks to the port of Nacala
Nacala
Nacala, also known as Cidade de Nacala or Nacala-Porto is on the northern coast of Mozambique is the deepest natural port on the east coast of Africa. It serves as the terminal for the Nacala Railway, a rail link to the landlocked Malawi...
.
See also
- Railway stations in MalawiRailway stations in Malawi- Maps :* * – does not show rail past Salima!* - List of towns served by rail :* Lanzu* Lirangwe* Moatize – proposed coal mine----* Makhanga – near Mozambique border.* Nayuchi – on Mozambique border on line to Nacala...
- Transport in Malawi