Setrag transported 1.7 million tonnes of ore in Gabon for Comilog in the third quarter of 2026, an increase of 7% year on year, according to the update Eramet published on 29 October. The comparison is with the third quarter of 2025, which was affected by operational difficulties.
This figure concerns Comilog's loadings. For all users of the railway, Eramet separately reports a 14% rise in tonnage transported in the third quarter. The two changes therefore measure different parts of the Transgabonais's activity.
An annual target of 6.4 to 6.8 million tonnes
Over the first nine months of 2026, transport of manganese ore and sinter reached 4.9 million tonnes. For the year, the group confirms a target of between 6.4 and 6.8 million tonnes. This range remains a goal, whereas the cumulative total at the end of September reflects activity already observed.
Eramet links the quarterly improvement to continued work on the Transgabonais and to greater reliability of Comilog's logistics equipment. During the quarter, the works notably included replacing 19 kilometres of sleepers and 21 kilometres of track.
A modernisation financed in several parts
The modernisation concerns an infrastructure with uses broader than ore. Stretching 648 kilometres, the line links Owendo, on the Atlantic coast, with Franceville, in eastern Gabon. The programme aims to strengthen its reliability, safety and capacity, while developing passenger and freight transport outside the mining sector.
On 20 July 2026, Proparco, the International Finance Corporation and Setrag had announced a financing agreement of EUR 312 million for this new phase. The package combined EUR 225 million of new financing and EUR 87 million of refinancing of earlier phases. It therefore did not represent entirely additional resources.
The works also rest on a sharing of responsibilities. The Gabonese state takes charge of public domain infrastructure, notably bridges and the water network. Setrag is responsible for rails, sleepers, ballast and signalling equipment, and also acts on behalf of the grantor authority.
In its October update, Eramet maintains at around EUR 70 million the development investment intended to improve the logistics chain in Gabon in 2026. This amount remains an annual investment estimate, separate from the financing announced in July.