South Sudan does not have an extensive rail system and current
rail infrastructure, which was constructed between 1959-1962, and
what has been left over from the previous Sudan government is in a
serious state of disrepair. In 2010, the track was rehabilitated
through the MDTF’s US$48.5 million National Emergency Transport
Project (NETREP) with the aim of revitalizing the sector and
increasing cargo and passenger transport capacity into the area,
however current rail operations have been suspended due to border
closures, unserviceable equipment, a lack of capacity, and
non-operational rolling stock.
The single, 1067 mm (3’6”) gauge, 446km rail connection linking
Babanusa in North-Sudan to Wau in South Sudan forms part of a rail
transport corridor that extends up to Port Sudan and which forms an
important transportation link into South Sudan’s Northern and
Western Bar El Ghazal states with a 248km link from the border to
the major towns of Aweil and Wau. Regionally, however, there has
been a shift towards road transport due to the relatively high rail
tariff costs, unreliable service and unavailability of adequate
assets and general poor management.
When reopened, and rail capacity fully realized, the railway line
could serve as a key part of the domestic transport system, and
even though the government has indicated the desire to revitalize
and extend the network, the current emphasis is on the expansion of
the road network and any transport costs will, for the foreseeable
future, be constrained by road competition.
Railway Companies and Consortia
No railway companies or consortia are currently operating in South Sudan. Historically, railway companies were owned and operated from Sudan through the Sudan Railways Corporation and when the line is reopened the SRC is the most likely company to continue services along this route.
For information on South Sudan Railway network contact details, please see the following link:
4.2.1 South Sudan Government Contact List
4.9 South Sudan Railway Companies Contact List
Capacity Table
Rail Operator Capacity | |
---|---|
Sudan Railway Corporation |
|
Operates on (lines) |
All (4578km) |
Max train length and/or pulling capacity |
n/a |
Locomotives (electric/diesel/steam) |
Diesel (130 Mainline, 54 Shunting) |
Freight Wagons (covered) / size |
4781 (mixed) |
Freight Wagons (flat bed) / size |
n/a |
Freight Wagons (high-sided)/size |
n/a |
Freight Wagons (drop-side)/size |
n/a |
Key Route Information
Standard Route Information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Babanusa – Rumaker (South Sudan Border) |
Rumaker – Aweil |
Aweil - Wau |
|
Track gauge |
Single gauge, 1067 mm (3’6”) |
Single gauge, 1067 mm (3’6”) | Single gauge, 1067 mm (3’6”) |
Ruling gradient |
n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Total track distance (single and/or double) |
Single track: 195,5km |
Single track: 113,7km | Single track: 136,3km |
Type of rail (weight and if welded or not) |
50 lb/yard |
50 lb/yard | 50 lb/yard |
Total track travel time |
n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Maintenance (Good, marginal, bad) |
Marginal |
Bad | Bad |
Companies-consortiums operating on line |
Sudan Railway Corporation |
None | None |
Traffic frequency (monthly/weekly/daily) |
n/a |
None | None |
Security (Good, marginal, bad) |
Marginal |
Bad | Bad |
Main stations (Add details below) |
See below |
See below | See below |
Key Stations
Key Station Information | ||
---|---|---|
Aweil Station | Wau Station | |
Location |
8°45'42.29"N 27°23'37.23"E |
7°43'5.81"N 27°58'55.68"E |
Contact Information |
Contact ministry in Juba | Contact ministry in Juba |
Connections with other transport means (road/waterways/air) |
Road only | Road and Air |
Storage Capacity (square meters and cubic meters) |
None | None |
Handling Equipment | None | None |
Handling Capacity: MT / Hour TEU / Hour |
n/a | n/a |
Other Comments | Station is currently not operational | Station is currently not operational |