According to Angolan press reports, the inaugural train on the Bengula Railroad arrived in Luau, eastern Moxico province on Thursday, 12 February.

The railroad which links the Angolan coast to the country’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, was completely rebuilt by the China Railway Construction Corporation, as part of a public works project of Chinese design costing an estimated $1.83 billion.

The final section of the railroad, between Luena and Luau, 334 km and seven stations, was completed in 2014 and has been in testing so far, with the departure of the ‘inaugural train’ linking the two extremes of country, and carrying dozens of guests.

Departing from the city of Lobito, the train set off on Tuesday 10 February and took about 30 hours to travel 1 344 km to get to Luau, a town close to the border of the neighbouring country;.

This line is expected to transport 20 million tonnes of cargo per year. (macauhub/AO/CN)