In 2025, ZongXiang Heavy Industry—a prominent Chinese manufacturer and exporter of railway components—achieved a significant milestone by exporting a batch of rail fishplates tailored for Zambia’s rail infrastructure development. This export highlights the company’s growing presence in African markets and underscores its role in supplying essential materials that support the modernization and expansion of railway systems.

Rail fishplates, also known as joint bars or splice bars, are fundamental structural components in railway track systems. Their primary purpose is to connect the ends of two rail sections, ensuring alignment and continuity of the track. These components play a crucial role in maintaining track stability, distributing loads imparted by trains, and minimizing wear at rail joints. Because they are subjected to extreme forces and repetitive loading during operation, high-quality fishplates are critical for safe, long-lasting railway infrastructure.

The fishplates exported by ZongXiang to Zambia are manufactured from high-tensile steel and engineered to meet demanding international standards. They are designed to withstand adverse weather conditions and heavy rail traffic, characteristics that are essential for a landlocked country like Zambia, where rail transport is vital for moving goods across long distances. Zambia’s rail network is particularly important for the transportation of minerals such as copper, agricultural products, and other commodities that form the backbone of the nation’s economy.

This export transaction represents a successful partnership between ZongXiang and Zambian clients interested in improving the quality and reliability of their railway infrastructure. The fishplates underwent rigorous quality control procedures prior to shipment, including ultrasonic flaw detection, dimensional checks, and chemical composition analysis, ensuring they complied with both ISO quality standards and specific technical requirements from Zambia’s rail authorities.

From a logistical standpoint, the project showcased ZongXiang’s ability to manage complex international trade operations. Coordination between the company’s production facilities, export teams, and logistics partners enabled the efficient handling of the order—from manufacturing and quality inspection to packaging and international shipping. Special packaging was used to protect the fishplates from corrosion and damage during transit, helping ensure that they arrived in Zambia in excellent condition and ready for installation on existing rail lines.

The export also reinforces broader economic ties between China and Zambia, reflecting a trend of growing Sino-African cooperation in infrastructure development. Chinese firms—including manufacturers like ZongXiang—have increasingly participated in railway, road, and industrial projects across Africa, contributing not only hardware but also technical expertise and long-term partnerships. For Zambia, investing in quality rail components like fishplates supports ongoing efforts to expand and modernize the rail network, which is essential for enhancing trade connectivity both within the country and with neighboring nations.

ZongXiang’s successful delivery of fishplates to Zambia has positioned the company as a reliable supplier in the African railway component market, opening doors for future contracts, service support, and further integration into infrastructure projects across the continent.