Infrastructure Planning at MRTCPL

Condition Assessment Study- Minim Martap Bauxite Project, Cameroon

superadmin — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 12:18:22 +0000

In the light of previous assessment to determine the capacity of the Cameroon railway network to handle increased bauxite traffic from IRF to the port, the following describes the phasing and scope required for the study. The minimum target capacity is 6.5Mtpa, with the potential to reach 10Mtpa

Scope of Services include :

1. Network Assessment

2. Transportation Capacity Optimization

3.Recommend Way Forward

4. Project Development

5.Detailed Design

The post Condition Assessment Study- Minim Martap Bauxite Project, Cameroon first appeared on Infrastructure Planning at MRTCPL.

Final Feasibility Study Report prepared by M R Technofin Consultants has been approved by Nambian Government

superadmin — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 13:07:30 +0000

The proposed Trans-Zambezi Railway in Namibia that will extend from the northern town of Grootfontein to the border town of Katima Mulilo will primarily serve as a freight transportation system. Katima Mulilo borders Zambia and Botswana

This is indicated in a final feasibility study prepared by MR Technofin Consultants Ltd of Canada and recently approved by the Namibian government

Link to the news article : https://www.railwaysafrica.com/news/trans-zambezi-railway-to-be-freight-system

The report highlighted that the main source of potential traffic is between the two endpoints of the Trans-Zambezi Railway, namely Grootfontein and Katima Mulilo.

These two stations are located at the extreme ends of the railway line.

Additionally, the report anticipates some minor traffic originating from the towns of Rundu and Divundu.

The report indicated that the railway operation will be conducted on a single line using diesel traction.

At present, the Namibian Railway system utilises diesel traction with 2000 HP locomotives and is planning to introduce 2250 HP diesel locomotives.

The maximum trailing load is restricted to 40 wagons for vacuum-braked wagons, with these wagons having an axle load of 16.5 tonnes.

Both vacuum brake and air brake rolling stock are in use.

The report added that the wagon payload and train load will adhere to the 16.5-tonne axle load limit until all railway infrastructure between loading and unloading points is upgraded to support an 18.5-tonne axle load.

The report’s key conclusion is that the proposed 772 km greenfield line is viable from various perspectives, including technical, environmental, legal, financial, and economic considerations, and it recommended moving forward with the project.

The Zambezi Extension Railway is expected to connect to the rail networks of Zambia and Botswana, providing direct access to regional railway traffic heading to the Walvis Bay Port.

Currently, the majority of freight transportation in Namibia is conducted by road, partly due to dissatisfaction with rail services and road transport pricing.

The report mentioned that discussions on rail operations and rolling stock requirements in the feasibility report assume that the existing railway line between Walvis Bay and Grootfontein will be upgraded to meet the recommended design specifications of the Trans-Zambezi Railway, specifically the 18.5-tonne/axle load.

The commercial success of the Trans-Zambezi Railway relies on the seamless movement of trains between the proposed Grootfontein-Katima Mulilo section and Namibia’s current network between Grootfontein and Walvis Bay.

The report underscored the significance of accommodating significant freight traffic from regional transit, with connectivity to and from the Walvis Bay port playing a vital role.

The existing Grootfontein-Walvis Bay railway section has a capacity of 16.5 tonnes per axle load and variable design speeds ranging from 50 km/h to 80 km/h.

The report assumes that this section will be upgraded to an 18.5-tonne/axle load and a design speed of 80 km/h to align with the proposed Trans-Zambezi railway extension.

The consultants disclosed that Botswana and Zambia are in the final stages of tendering a feasibility study for a 367 km railway line from Mosetse (Botswana) to Kazungula (Zambia) via the Kazungula Bridge. Another project under consideration is a 56 km railway line from Mmamabula (Botswana) to Lephalale (South Africa).

Given these developments, the report suggested that connecting the proposed line from Katima Mulilo to Botswana via Ngoma (Namibia) is a potential option, in addition to direct connectivity to Zambia through Katima Mulilo-Sesheke.

From Ngoma, the railway line would extend to northwest Botswana, linking with the proposed Mosetse-Kazungula line and ultimately connecting with the Kazungula Bridge, and eventually, Livingstone, Zambia.

The report also emphasised that both the financial returns for the Trans-Zambezi Railway and the economic benefits to Namibia would be significantly higher if the railway is extended into Zambia or Botswana, rather than limiting the project within Namibia’s borders

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M.R Technofin showcased in Railways Africa newspaper for involvement in study of Feasibility Study For Grootfontein-Rundu-Katima Mulilo Extension

superadmin — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 10:00:40 +0000

Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, has revealed that the government is now actively exploring funding options for this ambitious project.

Link to the news article : https://www.railwaysafrica.com/news/namibia-approves-feasibility-study-for-grootfontein-rundu-katima-mulilo-extension

The envisioned railway will establish crucial connections between Zambia and Botswana, extending through Ngoma to Kasane, and ultimately linking Zimbabwe and Zambia, reaching as far as the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The extensive feasibility study, conducted by the Canadian-based firm MR Technofin Consultants Ltd and co-funded by Namibia and the African Development Bank, has deemed the proposed 772km railway expansion technically, environmentally, legally, financially, and economically feasible.

Mutorwa said that after thoroughly reviewing the report by MR Technofin, the Namibian government has granted its approval for the final feasibility study.

This comprehensive study also assessed various aspects of regional railway infrastructure development involving Zambia, Angola, and Botswana, while facilitating consultations between Namibia and neighbouring countries’ authorities and institutions.

The evaluation encompassed factors such as commodity demand, annual freight volumes, transportation costs, competitive routes, and alternative options for establishing regional railway connections from Namibia, with a focus on identifying the most favourable route.

Mutorwa noted that the Zambian government has proposed a joint meeting of finance ministers from Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia to explore potential funding avenues for this significant project.

The Trans-Caprivi Corridor, spanning from the Walvis Bay port to Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo via Zambia, holds immense strategic importance for all three countries.

Tsodilo Resources Limited, a Canadian diamond and metals explorer poised to benefit from the railway extension, envisions connecting new mines and mining operations to the railway network along the Walvis Bay – Ndola – Lubumbashi Development Corridor. This development will facilitate the transportation of minerals from Zambia’s Copperbelt to Walvis Bay. Tsodilo sees this corridor as strategically positioned to serve two-way trade between the Southern African Development Community region and global markets in Europe, North and South America, and emerging markets in the East.

James Bruchs, Chairman and CEO of Tsodilo, expressed the project’s approval as a significant milestone, highlighting its importance for Tsodilo’s Xaudum Iron Formation project and its proximity to Divundu in Namibia.

Tsodilo Resources is actively exploring economic diamond, metal deposits, and industrial stone at its Bosoto, Gcwihaba, and Newdico projects in Botswana.

Namibia’s current rail system is linked to Transnet rail in South Africa, extending from the southern border with South Africa to the northern border with Angola, as well as from the country’s midsection to its coastal and harbour towns.

According to TransNamib, Namibia’s rail infrastructure spans a total length of 2,687 kilometres across the country and is government-owned, with TransNamib as the sole operator. In terms of cross-border connectivity, Namibia is currently only linked to South Africa via rail. However, Namibia has developed its rail line to Oshikango, which could potentially connect to the Angolan market if Angola invests in extending its rail infrastructure up to the Namibian border.

TransNamib also noted that only approximately 48% of Namibia’s rail network meets the minimum Southern African Development Community (SADC) required standard of 18.5 tonnes/axle load, with the remaining sections accommodating loads of 16.5 tonnes or less per axle.

The post M.R Technofin showcased in Railways Africa newspaper for involvement in study of Feasibility Study For Grootfontein-Rundu-Katima Mulilo Extension first appeared on Infrastructure Planning at MRTCPL.

Greenhouse Gases Have no Borders! – Estimating Changes in Carbon Inventories for Railway Projects

superadmin — Mon, 23 May 2022 10:07:35 +0000

We recently completed a ~800km Greenfield Railway Feasibility Study in Namibia. The line connected to the country’s existing network at Grootfontein and traversed the Trans-Zambezi to Katima Mulilo, (see images below).

Connecting to Namibia’s existing rail network and ultimately, the Walvis Bay Port, the “Trans-Zambezi Railway” (TZR) Line is expected to attract transit traffic from the region, putting the country on a path to becoming a premier logistics hub.

We used a non-linear optimisation model to develop a 50-year freight forecast. We also ran a number of scenarios to determine how traffic on the TZR would change if Namibia’s neighbours developed complementary or competing railway projects.

The modeling results were not all that surprising – the region can benefit from having additional port evacuation capacity for import and export cargo. And, with Walvis Bay Port connected by rail through to Katima Mulilo, the TZR is expected to attract significantly more transit traffic than it currently does.

Our modeling results were aligned with what we heard during regional stakeholder consultations with freight generators (e.g., mining companies), shippers and transport associations.

Good news for Namibia right? Well, it turns out that all this additional transit traffic will create train trips to and from Walvis Bay Port to Katima Mulilo that would otherwise not be there without the proposed TZR.

These additional trips would contribute to Namibia’s Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory (see image below).

BUT, the proposed line will also take a significant amount of trucks off the road that are currently traveling to and from other ports in the region.

So, what is the net impact? Based on a set of GHG emission and social cost assumptions retrieved from the US EPA and IPCC, the net impact at a regional level is positive with overall GHG inventories reduced by developing the TZR.

Basically, each transit freight trainload between Walvis Bay and Katima Mulilo reduces regional truck traffic by 51 trucks. While the TZR will increase Namibia’s GHG inventory, the region stands to benefit from a reduction in GHGs by having significantly fewer trucks on the road.

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Greenfield Vadhavan Port Project – Rail Handling / Haulage Tariff Study and Financial Analysis)

superadmin — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 13:17:26 +0000

Detailed Design and Detailed Engineering for Greenfield Vadhavan Port Project – Rail Handling / Haulage Tariff Study and Financial Analysis) .

The Government of India has granted in-principal approval for setting up a new Major Port at Vadhavan in Dahanu. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) has completed the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Vadhavan Port in Dahanu Taluka, Palghar District (Maharashtra State) which needs to be updated. The Port has decided to update the DPR in line with the in-principal approval of the Government of India and go for design and Detailed Engineering including Financial structuring of the project. As part of the financial structuring work, JNPT has requested that MR Technofin prepare a financial assessment of executing railway activities under both a “non-government railway (NGR)” model and “joint venture (JV)” model and to advise on the most suitable option based on the results of the financial assessment.

Conduct in-depth desk research on railway policies for operating container traffic under a hub and spoke model and the tariffs that are chargeable under this operating mode
Conduct in-depth desk research on locomotive, wagon and staffing charges by Indian Railways for hauling container, fertilizer and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) traffic
Conduct consultations with industry experts and financial advisors to determine workable financial structures under the NGR and JV models
Based on desk research and consultations, prepare a detailed definition of the NGR and JV models (along with the advantages and disadvantages of each) which will inform the operational and financial model
Prepare an operational model for railway activities within the port and between the port gate and interchange, separately including deriving locomotive engine operating hours, wagon usage hours, energy consumption, etc. based on container, fertilizer and LPG traffic forecasts
Prepare two separate 35-year pro-forma financial models for railway activities within the port and outside the port gate from the perspective of the private developer/operator
Conduct sensitivities on concession period, tariffs and costs and advise on (1) most suitable model for implementation and (2) key clauses that should be negotiated in the concession agreement between the private developer/operator and the railway Ministry.

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Reliance Industries Limited for the feasibility of ROB / RUB infrastructure in connection with their Jamnagar refinery.

superadmin — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 15:11:25 +0000

Reliance Industries Limited, for the feasibility of ROB / RUB infrastructure in connection with their Jamnagar refinery.

Recently, M.R. Technofin completed a techno-economic feasibility study in record one-month’s time to develop the Road Over Bridge (ROB) / Road Under Bridge (RUB) infrastructure for crossing the railway line in relation to the Jamnagar unit of Reliance Industries Limited.

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is a Fortune 500 company and the largest private sector corporation in India. Reliance has the sixth largest refinery in the world – in the Special Economic Zone at Jamnagar. This refinery has a capacity for processing 580,000 BPD of crude. Presently, all the solid dispatch trucks are moving from LC-8/9/10 area and crossing levelled crossing 215 to reach LC 10 parking area. Present route is cutting through the internal area of three level crossings and mixing with the people movement. RIL intend to develop the RUB/ROB infrastructure for crossing the railway line.

M.R. Technofin Consultants undertook the following activities in this study:

Conducted detailed traffic study
Developed cost optimal alternatives / option which included combinations of Road Over and Road Under bridges on both the railway lines
Developed detailed layout with internal connection
Prepared 3D walkthrough presentation for each option
Prepared complete structural and drainage design basis as per requirements
Conducted detailed area drainage study of the connected plots and integration of the same
Conducted Cost Benefit and Time Benefit analysis for each potential option and finalized the most optimum option
Developed the preliminary designs for the finalized scheme
Prepared detailed Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and detailed cost estimates for the project
Prepared detailed specifications for geotechnical investigations
Prepared all necessary engineering and drainage designs

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M.R. Technofin is awarded a unique Feasibility Study for Fly-Ash Transportation

superadmin — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 13:14:00 +0000

M.R. Technofin is awarded a unique Feasibility Study for Fly-Ash Transportation by Rail from MPPGCL’s Four Power Plants in Madhya Pradesh, India.

In April 2021, M.R. Technofin was awarded work to carry out a feasibility study for the railway upgradation at MPPGCL’s four power plants for fly-ash transportation by rail.

Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Limited (MPPGCL), a wholly owned company of the Government of Madhya Pradesh, is engaged in generation of electricity in the State of Madhya Pradesh. MPPGCL intends to carry out transportation of fly ash / pond ash by rail for disposal from its four thermal power plants so as to achieve economy and achieve 100% utilisation of fly ash generated and also dispose-off the fly ash already available in its ash ponds. The railway infrastructure at the four plants needs to be upgraded to facilitate loading of ash on to railway wagons for dispatch to various destinations on the railway network. The name and installed capacity of four plants is as under:

Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station- 1340 MW (4×210 MW & 1×500 MW)
Amarkantak Thermal Power Station- 210 MW (1x 210 MW)
Satpura Thermal Power Station-1330 MW (1×200 MW, 3X210 MW & 2X250 MW)
Shree Singaji Thermal Plant- 2520 MW (2×600 MW & 2×660 MW)

Scope of consultancy services includes:

Study the processes of Fly-ash generation, storage and disposal.
Study the Environment Safeguard Rules and Regulations of Government of India concerning Fly-ash storage and transportation.
Study water sources, usage and disposal at the power plants as well as complete water cycle and water diagram.
Study the ‘Best Practises’ for Fly-ash storage and transportation (both Wet and Dry Ash).
Study fly-ash storage augmentation as well as various in-plant railway network options.
Design fly-ash storage i.e., silos, conveyors, pipelines within the power plant
Develop and designing the railway system augmentation and modifications necessary for fly-ash transportation for easy loading/unloading and transpiration of Dry/Wet Pond Ash without hindrance of ongoing coal transportation.
Conduct Cost-Benefits analysis for transportation of fly-ash through rail mode.
Prepare the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the basis of discussion with Railway authority and Cement Manufacturer and other perspective customers for long term Agreement and availing benefits of rebate and guarantee thereof.
Assess the water consumption for misting the ash or develop a sprinkling system to trap emission of fly ash in the atmosphere at loading points as per pollution norms.
Prepare Concepts for all major systems/ subsystems.
Develop technical specifications of work, equipment’s and civil works.
Prepare the General Arrangement Drawings (GADs) and Flow Diagrams.
Prepare plant and equipment drawings & specifications, and suggestions for improvement & modifications.
Prepare the work implementation schedule showing key milestone activities.

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Ambuja Cements Limited has mandated M.R. Technofin with a consultancy work for re-modelling of railway yard

superadmin — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 12:56:40 +0000

Ambuja Cements Limited has mandated M.R. Technofin with a consultancy work for re-modelling of railway yard at its Farakka grinding unit in West Bengal, India.

In April 2021, Ambuja Cement awarded M.R. Technofin Consultants consultancy work for carrying out a feasibility study for augmenting/modifying its in-plant railway yard and to design railway Dead-End / Buffer infrastructure.

Ambuja Cements Ltd. (ACL) has a Grinding Unit near Kendua Village, Farakka district, Murshidabad, West Bengal. The plant is located on right side of Tildanga railway station under Malda Division of Eastern Railway. The cement plant is located at about 1400 metres from Tildanga railway station. In order to improve the capacity and safety of railway operations within yard at Farakka unit, ACL intends to modify the in-plant railway yard for capacity augmentation as well as install/construct a railway dead-end. Scope of consultancy services includes:

Studying the safety system for the railway operations
Preparing the detailed designs of the railway dead-end/buffer infrastructure
Preparing the technical specifications, detailed BOQs and cost estimates
Carrying out reconnaissance and Total Station surveys of the in-plant rail yard
Preparing the conceptual designs of the options including identification of modifications to meet the requirements of the projected traffic.
Preparing the abstract cost estimate covering the civil engineering and electrical works.
Preparing Feasibility Study Report (FSR) clearing all technical requirements with Railways.
Obtaining “In–Principal Approval” (IPA) of Feasibility Study Report from Railways.
Preparing Detailed Project Report (DPR) and cost estimates covering all the components of the railway line viz. Civil & OHE works.
Preparing Engineering Scale Plan (ESP) for the railway system.
Obtaining approval of Detailed Project Report & Engineering Scale Plan from Railways.

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Welcome to our Revamped Website!

superadmin — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 11:53:40 +0000

Thank you for visiting our newly revamped website. Through the course of developing our new site, we’ve remained true to our roots in transportation while showcasing our expanded sector expertise and service offering as we’ve evolved over time.

Take a look around and feel free to get in touch on our contacts page!

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M.R. Technofin is awarded Prestigious Rail Feasibility Study from the Ministry of Works and Transport, Namibia.

superadmin — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 11:41:02 +0000

In March 2021, M.R. Technofin signed a contract with the Ministry of Transport and Works, Republic of Namibia to provide consultancy services to develop a feasibility study for the Trans-Zambezi Railway Extension connecting Grootfontein, Rundu and Katima Mulilo.

Funded by the African Development Bank, M.R. Technofin is excited to work with the Namibian government and its neighbouring counterparts to develop this greenfield railway feasibility study with the aim of increasing regional trade. Scoping specifics include:

~750 Km Greenfield railway feasibility study including connectivity to stations, in-land container depots and freight terminals
Assessing regional transport infrastructure development plans (railways, ports, roads, etc.) in Zambia, Angola, Botswana and other countries in the region
Preparing regional freight traffic assessment and demand forecasts
Conducting 4-stage transport demand modelling using a proprietary Freight Transport Management Tool
Preparing railway route and multi-modal option study
Assessing the financial and economic viability of the line
Developing the engineering design for selected rail and multi-modal options inclusive of designs for permanent way, bridges, culverts, stations and workshops
Preparing an environmental and social assessment of the route; Developed Operations & Maintenance Plans
Preparing drawings of L-Section, plan and General Arrangement Drawings (GADs) of bridges, signalling and telecommunication, train management system, and rail/multi-modal operations
Preparing drawings, bill of quantities and cost estimates, Transport Model Report and Feasibility Report
Conducted Public-Private Partnership structuring analysis

For more information, please see the article below published in the Namibian Sun.

The post M.R. Technofin is awarded Prestigious Rail Feasibility Study from the Ministry of Works and Transport, Namibia. first appeared on Infrastructure Planning at MRTCPL.