en.Wedoany.com Reported - Mozambique Ports and Railways (CFM) announced that, as part of a regional railway maintenance plan, the Goba Line connecting Maputo to the Eswatini border will be temporarily suspended from June 17 to 26, affecting both passenger and freight services during this period. Services on the country's busiest route, the Ressano Garcia Line to South Africa, will also be adjusted accordingly, but passenger trains will continue to operate with limited capacity.
The Goba Line disruption is related to preparations for Phase II of the Ressano Garcia Line double-tracking project, scheduled to start in July, aimed at expanding capacity and modernizing the Maputo Corridor. This €137.8 million investment represents the next phase in strengthening Mozambique's main logistics artery. The contractor is expected to be appointed in July, with construction commencing immediately thereafter. Phase I of the double-tracking project has already increased the railway's annual capacity from 13 million to 24 million tons.
Recent floods have exposed the vulnerability of infrastructure. The Limpopo Line to the Zimbabwe border was suspended for three months earlier this year, causing €10.3 million in losses and disrupting 130 trains, though services have now resumed. CFM stated that future projects must enhance resilience, and the modernization process needs to address climate risks posed by increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
Despite setbacks, CFM recorded growth in the first quarter of 2026. Railway passenger traffic nearly doubled to 151,400 trips; freight volume increased by 14.9% year-on-year to 3.6 million tons. However, losses from undelivered cargo and infrastructure damage amounted to €40.1 million.
To address challenges, the Mozambican government has committed to a €190 million investment plan by 2030, including completing the remaining 25 kilometers of the Ressano Garcia double track, acquiring over 30 new passenger carriages, 250 mining wagons, and at least 15 mainline locomotives. The coexistence of short-term service disruptions and long-term expansion plans reflects the dual challenge of maintaining current operations while building a stronger, more modern railway system to support regional trade and withstand environmental shocks.
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