German steelmaker ThyssenKrupp's railway equipment systems provider subsidiary ThyssenKrupp GfT Gleistechnik GmbH will be one of the main contractors of a gigantic rail project between Southern Sudan and Uganda. The railway, which will have a total length of around 725 km, aims at helping to open up the regional markets for the more cost-competitive imports and for the export of commodities.
According to a ThyssenKrupp statement, the project will link Juba, the capital of the partly autonomous Southern Sudan with Gulu in Northern Uganda, and in the initial construction phase it will continue to Tororo, southern Uganda. There also exists an option to continue construction from Juba to Wau in Southern Sudan and for a link to the neighboring nations of Kenya and Ethiopia.
ThyssenKrupp GfT Gleistechnik, together with companies such as US-based Ayr Logistics Ltd and Russia-based MosMetrostroy will be largely involved in all the planning and construction contracting activities that will be ordered by the newly formed East African Railway. The plans for the routing of the phase 1 sections are to commence shortly.
ThyssenKrupp said that some US$2-3 billion will be invested in laying the rail network, with planned investments in buildings, hotels, roads, power plants, etc., to follow the project.
ThyssenKrupp GfT Gleistechnik had a consultancy and supporting role in the initiation process of the project.