Logis-T Africa – Monday, October 7, 2023, will henceforth be etched in the history of the Senegalese railway sector as a day of significant progress. Indeed, the Train Express Regional (TER) station in Diamniadio was the scene of the official launch of the simultaneous circulation of mining trains (ICS and GCO) with the Regional Express Train (TER).
The ceremony, presided over by Mr. El Malick Ndiaye, Minister of Infrastructure, Land and Air Transport, brought together the highest officials of the Senegalese railway sector, including the general directors of SENTER, SETER, GCO, ICS, and CFS.
This long-awaited initiative marks a decisive turning point in the optimization of the Senegalese railway network and promises to revolutionize rail transport in Senegal.
In his speech, Minister El Malick Ndiaye emphasized the crucial importance of this initiative for the national economy. He highlighted that the absence of simultaneous coordination had greatly diminished the volume of rail transport, causing major economic repercussions for the State of Senegal and resulting in an annual loss of 7 billion CFA francs for mining companies since the launch of the TER in January 2022.
The Minister also insisted on the critical importance of safety in this new phase of operation, while acknowledging the efforts already made by ICS and GCO to meet the safety challenges allowing for this simultaneity.
This launch represents an important step towards the modernization and optimization of the Senegalese railway sector. It demonstrates the willingness of the government and sector stakeholders to work together to improve the country’s transport infrastructure, while keeping in mind the imperatives of safety and sustainability.
