Vale Logistics is set to launch its US$1billion (K750billion) trans-Malawi railway project that connects two pivotal points of its operations in Western and Eastern Mozambique through Malawi.

Created and built by multidisciplinary construction company Mota Engil Africa, the railway line is part of the Nacala Development Corridor that seeks to benefit several SADC countries Malawi inclusive.

Amongst the main features along the project are the virgin rail works that sprout across the most difficult terrain on the hills of Mwanza district stretching towards the all important Liwonde Township which will turn to a beehive of transnational economic boom.

“We are excited that the facility was built and delivered in time to benefit the two countries, Malawi and Mozambique,” government officials told Nyasatimes ahead of the launch on Friday August 18 in Zalewa

During the pick period of the construction works, Mota Engil the contractor employed over 5000 direct employees and hundreds more indirect labour and service providers.

This project, a private sector led initiative seeks to allow Vale Logistics of Brazil to move over 18millon tons of coal from its sister Moatize Coal Mines in Mozambique and pass through Mwanza, Chikhwawa, Neno, Balaka and Machinga districts in Malawi on the way to the Indian Ocean Port of Nacala on the Mozambican Eastern side.

Malawi is set to benefit from accessing the cheaper mode of transport by locking scores of carriages on the outbound and inbound trains.

Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango will officially launch the facility.