Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) has initiated a strategic fleet rehabilitation programme aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and increasing locomotive availability.

At the heart of this initiative is a US$20 million vendor-financed agreement signed with Worldwide Rail and Mining Solutions (WWRMS) to rehabilitate, rebuild, and upgrade six GT 3600HP mainline locomotives.

This project forms a crucial part of ZRL’s broader fleet revitalization strategy, which aims to restore operational performance, minimize downtime, and improve fuel efficiency across its rail services. By prioritizing the modernization of existing assets over the procurement of new units, the railway operator expects to optimize costs while significantly extending the operational lifespan of its fleet.

The rehabilitation works will be conducted at the Zambia Railways Main Workshop, where the locomotives will undergo a comprehensive overhaul and technical upgrade. This programme directly addresses the locomotive availability constraints that have previously hampered service efficiency and forced a reliance on hired locomotives, a challenge that has become more pressing as freight demand rises across domestic and regional corridors.

Implementation is scheduled to be rolled out in phases throughout 2026 to ensure a steady improvement in operational capacity. The first two locomotives are anticipated to return to service between May and June, followed by two more in August, with the final pair expected to be operational between November and December.

Structured under a vendor-financed deferred payment model, the project allows the rehabilitation to proceed without requiring an immediate full capital outlay. Instead, the US$20 million investment will be repaid over time through revenues generated by the refurbished locomotives, effectively aligning the financing mechanism with improved operational performance.

As each unit is completed and reintroduced into the fleet, ZRL anticipates a progressive increase in hauling capacity and service reliability. Beyond enhancing fleet efficiency, the programme also incorporates a technical capacity building component, ensuring that local engineering teams benefit from skills transfer during the rebuilding process.