Lafarge helps boost rail freight for Zambia Railways

Zambia Railways Ltd (ZRL) has recorded an increase in freight in the first half of the year by 70,379t due to signing of service level agreements with local companies.  Part of the increase was due to ZRL arranging a new contract with Lafarge Cement.

ZRL Public Relations Officer, Sombe Ngonga, attributed the increase in freight to the acquisition of more business from its customers in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the importation of coal from Zimbabwe for the booming cement production in Zambia.

“ZRL participated more in the movement of imported fuel for oil marketing companies in Zambia. The signing of service level agreements with local companies, such as Puma Zambia [petroleum products] and Lafarge [cement] for the movement of their cargo saw us moving their products within Zambia,” Ms Ngonga said.

During the period under review, a total of 317,625t was hauled compared to 247,246t last year in the same period, representing an increase of 28 per cent.

Lafarge Zambia operates the 1Mta Chilanga integrated cement plant in Lusaka as well as a 0.5Mta grinding plant in Ndola.