The Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG) has opened its port site in Morebaya, Forécariah prefecture, to journalists, partners, and invitees. The site showcases the transguinean corridor's infrastructure, linking Simandou mines to international markets. The corridor features a 650km double-track railway, 206 bridges, five tunnels, and a port with two mineral berths and one commercial berth. CTG, a public-private partnership, aims to develop and operate the corridor.
CTG's port has an optimal annual capacity of 120 million tons, expandable to 160 million tons. The company conducted a train experience for visitors, who traveled from Morebaya to Moussaya in Kindia. Journalist Ougna Camara praised the railway experience, describing it as stable and comfortable. The train used was a prototype, and CTG plans to introduce more comfortable trains with amenities like TV screens for longer trips.
CTG announced a daily operational capacity of 50 trains in both directions, with two locomotives and 100 wagons per convoy. The company showcased its mineral reception, storage, and loading circuit, featuring seven wagon tipplers, seven ship loaders, and ten stockpile and reclaim equipment. The tipplers can unload wagons in 54 seconds, taking nearly an hour for a full train.
The storage area has a capacity of six million tons in the first phase, expandable to nine million tons. CTG's Ansoumane Kadiatou Keita compared the storage area to the human stomach, receiving and conserving before continuing the circuit. The area allows for mineral storage while awaiting barge loading and maintains supply in case of upstream disruptions.
Morebaya's commercial berth is designed for diverse goods, containers, equipment, and supplies. CTG's Laurent Masoma stated that the project was conceived for Guinea and its people, with the commercial terminal having a 2.5 million tons per annum capacity. The terminal features 40 and 25-ton cranes for cargo handling and is undergoing certification, with technical visits to verify international health and safety standards.
The CTG aims to complement Conakry's port, not replace it. Masoma emphasized that the commercial terminal's operations will begin with published tariffs. Equipment for Simandou, including those from Simfer and Winning, is already being received at the port. The CTG envisions the corridor as a driver of economic transformation, industrialization, job creation, and human capital development.
The CTG's objectives include promoting local content through three priorities: local enterprise supply, technology and competency transfer, and national employment. The company's vision is to leverage the corridor for Guinea's economic growth and sovereignty. With its infrastructure and operations, CTG is poised to play a significant role in the country's mining and economic development.
Key points
- CTG unveils 650km railway and port facilities in Morebaya for Simandou mines and international markets.
- The transguinean corridor aims to drive economic transformation, industrialization, and job creation in Guinea.
- CTG's port has an optimal annual capacity of 120 million tons, expandable to 160 million tons.
