On January 31, the Ethiopian government initiated the construction of a railway project contracted by the China Civil Engineering Group, which is expected to improve the oil freight services of the East African country. Ethiopia is a landlocked country that is highly dependent on imported petroleum products, laying the foundation for the railway project connecting the market towns of Awash and Djibouti in central Ethiopia.

At present, the country has established the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway in the central and eastern part, and the Awash-Combolcia-Valdia railway in the north to facilitate oil freight services. The new project is part of Ethiopia’s desire to connect to the strategic railway line.

The Ethiopian Minister of State for Transport, Avo Vogas, praised this long-awaited project, which is a necessary supplement to the East African country's transportation system.

At the groundbreaking ceremony in Awash, Vargas said that the train journey from the port of Djibouti to central Ethiopia usually takes three to four days due to the existing long and difficult route. “This has resulted in a shortage of petroleum products in certain areas of the country. "However, he said: "Unlike previous projects, the just-initiated construction project is expected to create a vibrant and inclusive trading center, where the required petroleum products will reach their preferred locations and without any obstacles. location."

The railway is planned to be completed within one year, and it can transport two tankers a day, and will reach an annual delivery capacity of 1.3 million tons in the near future. In the long run, its transportation capacity will be increased to 6 trains per day.

Guo Chongfeng, executive director and general manager of China Civil Engineering Group Ethiopia, emphasized that the project will bring the country's socio-economic advantages. After completion, it will greatly improve the efficiency of oil transportation, enhance the operational capacity of oil depots, and reduce the pressure on Ethiopia's oil supply. "

The project also includes the construction of Awash Station, which will become an important transportation hub, and will strengthen the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway and the Awash-Kombolca-Voldia Railway the relationship between.

Tadesse Hailemariam, CEO of Ethiopian Petroleum Supply Company, responded to Wagais’ remarks, saying: “I have a lot of expectations for this project because it connects the main railway to the Awash warehouse and the Horizon warehouse in Djibouti so that the products can reach the inland. "

Chinese companies have become the main partners in Ethiopian railway construction. The Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway is the first transnational electrified railway in East Africa, contracted by China Railway and China Kyrgyzstan. It provides various freight services for locals, including the transportation of perishable goods, vehicles, grain and fertilizers.Editor/Huang Lijun