By Christopher Makaza
A contact within the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development has revealed that there is a proposal by Zimbabwe and Mozambique to construct a rail link from Harare to Moatize, a coal mining town in Tete Province of Mozambique.
An agreement on the issue is being made between Zimbabwe`s National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and Mozambique`s Mozambique Ports and Railways (CFM)
According to the contact, the proposed 394km railway line will link Harare to Nakala Port in North Eastern Coastline of the Indian Ocean through Nakaya in Malawi.
The contact revealed that a meeting between CFM representatives, NRZ, Zimbabwe`s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development and Mozambique`s Transport and Communication ministry, was held on 7 November this year, to consider possibility of the project. The meeting proposed a pre-feasibility study to be carried out during the 2nd and 3rd quarter of 2020 which is expected to be funded by the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) and the outcome will determine the way forward.
The meeting reportedly resolved that a formal application to DBSA be made to source funds for the feasibility study. Terms of reference are expected to be finalised by tomorrow, 29 November.
According to the contact, during the first quarter of 2020, a tender flight and its adjudication should be done for hiring a consultant to undertake the feasibility study.
Contact further revealed that the proposed rail link will avail Zimbabwe an alternative to access the Indian Ocean Coastal Port.
The Harare – Nakala Port in Moatize will be reduced by 200km when finished and currently the route is 1557km. If completed it will be the 3rd shortest route after Beira and Maputo which are 585km and 1238km respectively.
The contact highlighted that the Harare-Nakala route through Moatize will be shorter by 300km compared to Harare- Durban route. The route is also an alternative linking Durban, Maputo and Beira Ports to countries such as Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Currently the only route available linking Zimbabwe to aforementioned countries is through Victoria Falls.
Nakala Port is the deepest Port in the Indian Ocean and has four General Cargo Berth and one Container Berth.
At the Port, the contact also revealed that plans are underway to build 40 000 metric tonnes storage facility mainly for grain and a similar facility to store fertiliser.
