Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA1379
2006-08-31 05:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
DRC PORT AUTHORITY LOOKING INTO RAILWAY REHABILITATION
how-toVZCZCXRO9832 RR RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #1379 2430549 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 310549Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4710 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
UNCLAS KINSHASA 001379
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON ELTN EINV PGOV CG
SUBJECT: DRC PORT AUTHORITY LOOKING INTO RAILWAY REHABILITATION
UNCLAS KINSHASA 001379
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON ELTN EINV PGOV CG
SUBJECT: DRC PORT AUTHORITY LOOKING INTO RAILWAY REHABILITATION
1. (U) The DRC is continuing to discuss plans to rehabilitate its
Matadi-Kinshasa rail line, which currently operates at only about
ten percent of capacity. A Chinese company, China Machine Building
International Corporation (CMIC) signed a memorandum of
understanding April 6 to provide ONATRA (the DRC's port authority)
with equipment and repairs for the historic 230-mile Matadi to
Kinshasa railway. CMIC representatives visited the DRC twice
between January and April to conduct a rail survey and meet with
ONATRA officials, and the parties are now exchanging technical data.
According to an ONATRA contact, the parties have not yet signed a
final contract nor fixed the amount or means of payment. Further,
ONATRA has not launched a public tender for this project.
2. (U) In addition to restoring the actual rail line, with a
transport capacity goal of 5 million tons per year, CMIC proposes to
provide communications equipment, signs, electrical power and
railroad maintenance, and to buy new equipment and railroad support
units. CMIC proposes to replace the 33-40 inch rails with 50-inch
rails, and to replace the wooden sleepers with ones made from
concrete. The ambitious project plans to construct a telephone
switching station, a power generating unit and a transmission center
for train monitoring, as well as to supply 16 locomotives, 36
passenger carriages and 215 cargo wagons.
3. (U) The renovation proposal includes reducing the number of
railway stations from 50 to 20, keeping stations at Matadi, Lukala,
Kwilu, Kiasi-Kolo, Kisantu, Lufu, Luila, Kasangulu, Menkao,
Tadi-Mosi, Lemba, Matete, Limete, Funa, N'dolo, Kimpese, Kolo,
Tombagadio, Sona-Bata and Minkelo. The stations will be located 12
miles apart. (Note: The passenger rail-trips currently takes about
seven and a half hours, versus a six-hour trip by car. End note.)
4. (U) Comment. Regardless of who undertakes the project, which
preferably should be launched via a public tender, the
rehabilitation will take a substantial amount of time and cost many
millions of dollars. It is unclear how ONATRA can come up with the
necessary funds. End comment.
MEECE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON ELTN EINV PGOV CG
SUBJECT: DRC PORT AUTHORITY LOOKING INTO RAILWAY REHABILITATION
1. (U) The DRC is continuing to discuss plans to rehabilitate its
Matadi-Kinshasa rail line, which currently operates at only about
ten percent of capacity. A Chinese company, China Machine Building
International Corporation (CMIC) signed a memorandum of
understanding April 6 to provide ONATRA (the DRC's port authority)
with equipment and repairs for the historic 230-mile Matadi to
Kinshasa railway. CMIC representatives visited the DRC twice
between January and April to conduct a rail survey and meet with
ONATRA officials, and the parties are now exchanging technical data.
According to an ONATRA contact, the parties have not yet signed a
final contract nor fixed the amount or means of payment. Further,
ONATRA has not launched a public tender for this project.
2. (U) In addition to restoring the actual rail line, with a
transport capacity goal of 5 million tons per year, CMIC proposes to
provide communications equipment, signs, electrical power and
railroad maintenance, and to buy new equipment and railroad support
units. CMIC proposes to replace the 33-40 inch rails with 50-inch
rails, and to replace the wooden sleepers with ones made from
concrete. The ambitious project plans to construct a telephone
switching station, a power generating unit and a transmission center
for train monitoring, as well as to supply 16 locomotives, 36
passenger carriages and 215 cargo wagons.
3. (U) The renovation proposal includes reducing the number of
railway stations from 50 to 20, keeping stations at Matadi, Lukala,
Kwilu, Kiasi-Kolo, Kisantu, Lufu, Luila, Kasangulu, Menkao,
Tadi-Mosi, Lemba, Matete, Limete, Funa, N'dolo, Kimpese, Kolo,
Tombagadio, Sona-Bata and Minkelo. The stations will be located 12
miles apart. (Note: The passenger rail-trips currently takes about
seven and a half hours, versus a six-hour trip by car. End note.)
4. (U) Comment. Regardless of who undertakes the project, which
preferably should be launched via a public tender, the
rehabilitation will take a substantial amount of time and cost many
millions of dollars. It is unclear how ONATRA can come up with the
necessary funds. End comment.
MEECE