Heavy and Bulk Cargo Transportation Regulations

Since independence, railway has been the most preferred mode of transport for haulage of heavy and bulk cargo. This was especially true for the mining products. However, from the early 1990s, the Zambian economy was liberalized and each mode of transport had to compete for sustainability. Further the government prioritized the road infrastructure development, neglecting the rail subsector therefore, making the road subsector the most preferred mode of transport.

The continuous use of the road for the transportation of heavy and bulk cargo has culminated into the rapid deterioration to the road infrastructure resulting in the damage to Zambia’s roads, road carnages, congestion, safety and environmental damage.

The lack of re-investment in the rail sub-sector has resulted in deteriorated railway infrastructure, insufficient and unreliable rolling stock leading to low travel speeds, prolonged transit times thereby impacting negatively on the overall business competitiveness of the sector.

In the current legislation framework, there is no restriction and specific allocation for the modal transportation of goods. The legislation allows each mode of transport to compete in the freight market. However, the railway sub-sector has been disadvantaged in that the railway operators are required to undertake both rail operations and railway infrastructure maintenance. The road transporters use the road and do not participate in the road infrastructure maintenance works.

The Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Zambia intends to introduce regulations for the transportation of heavy and bulk cargo between Rail and Roads. The regulation will require businesses to move at least 30% of their heavy and bulk cargo by rail.