Siemens to supply signaling and control equipment for a freight line in Mozambique for the first time

The longest freight line in East Africa is being equipped with signaling and control systems.

Siemens is to equip the around 900-kilometer line with signaling and control systems. The project is part of the Nacala Corridor, which extends from the coast of Mozambique across country via Malawi into the mountains of Mozambique to Moatize. Both terminal stations are in Mozambique. The railroad line will carry coal from a mine in Moatize to a loading station on the coast for shipment. The order, worth a total of around 70 million euros, was placed by joint venture Corredor Logístico Integrado de Nacala (CLN), formed by Brazilian largest mining company Vale and Mozambique’s state-run railway company Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique. "Our solutions for the mining industry increase the safety, capacity and reliability of our customers' coal transports and provide economic and sustainable benefits for CLN. We are proud that our technology has been so successful in Mozambique," said Kevin Riddett, Head of the Siemens Freight and Products Business Segment. Commissioning is scheduled for 2015.

The control equipment enhances safety, capacity, and reliability of coal transportation.

For the 912-kilometer line, Siemens will provide the Train Sentinel PTC (Positive Train Control) system, the train integrity monitoring, Westrace type solid-state interlockings, and a telecommunication system based on a microwave network and a Tetra system for track to train data transmission. The contract also includes equipping the operations control center in Nacala and maintaining and servicing of the signaling equipment for one year.

Installation of the new signaling and telecommunications equipment will enhance safety, capacity, and reliability of coal transportation. It will also enable more frequent trains. The automated system calculates the optimum speed and headway between trains based on the line data. This enables the railway operators to increase their network capacities by minimizing headway, improve the punctuality of their trains, and ensure energy-efficient operation.

Siemens Low and Medium Voltage Division is to supply and install the power distribution solutions for the new deepwater port in Nacala-a-Velha, Mozambique. The medium and low-voltage switchgear, including motor control centers, will be installed by Siemens in prefabricated electrical equipment houses, which will be delivered to Africa as turnkey units. The order value is in the middle double-digit million euro range.