On November 9, 2026, a group of around 50 journalists and content creators visited the Simandou project site in Guinea, specifically the port of Morebaya and the railway corridor. The visit was organized by Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG), the company responsible for the project's infrastructure development. The site tour allowed participants to see firsthand the progress made on the project, which is crucial to Guinea's industrial and economic development strategy.
The Simandou project is a major infrastructure development in Guinea, aimed at transporting and exporting iron ore. The project involves a 650-kilometer railway corridor and a port facility at Morebaya. CTG, a public-private partnership, is responsible for the project's development. The company comprises the Guinean state, which holds 15% of the shares, and two international partners, BWCS and Simfer, each with 42.5% ownership.
During the visit, participants had the opportunity to explore the presidential train carriage, which features 35 high-end seats. They then boarded other passenger carriages for a 50-minute train ride to Moussaya station. This journey marked a significant milestone in the development of passenger rail transport in Guinea, which has been interrupted for several decades. The railway infrastructure is designed for heavy-haul transport, with double tracks adapted for massive flows.
The railway corridor features 206 monumental bridges, including one that stands 65 meters high and stretches 800 meters, and five tunnels, one of which is the longest in West Africa at 11.8 kilometers. The planned rolling stock will comprise around 150 locomotives and over 7,000 wagons, operating at speeds of up to 100 km/h when empty and 80 km/h when loaded. The project aims to achieve an optimal traffic flow of up to 50 trains per day in both directions.
The CTG has also developed a permanent camp site, which serves as a modern and autonomous city. The camp features administrative offices, a command and control center, dining facilities, sports facilities, and well-maintained grounds. The company prioritizes HSSEC (Hygiene, Health, Safety, Environment, and Communities) requirements, ensuring a safe working environment for its employees.
The visit concluded at the Morebaya port facility, where participants witnessed the automated ore unloading process. The port is designed to accommodate various activities and users, with a commercial quay for receiving goods and two mineral quays for iron ore export. The facility features seven shiploaders and ten stackers and reclaimers, ensuring efficient loading and unloading of cargo.
With an optimal port capacity of 120 million tons per year, potentially increasing to 160 million tons per year, the Morebaya port and TransGuinéen corridor demonstrate Guinea's emergence as a major player in mining and industrial logistics. The project is expected to contribute significantly to the country's economic growth and industrial development.
Key points
- The Simandou project is a major infrastructure development in Guinea, aimed at transporting and exporting iron ore.
- The project involves a 650-kilometer railway corridor and a port facility at Morebaya.
- CTG, a public-private partnership, is responsible for the project's development.
