Mining services company Worley Parsons has scored a contract to build a rail link between an African port and a coal mine owned by Brazilian resources giant, Vale.

The ASX-listed company will build a 584km-long rail line connecting Vale’s coal mine in Mozambique with the Port of Nacala in the country’s north-east.

When it is finished, the rail link will be able to transport 18 million tonnes of coal a year.

The Nacala Rail Corridor Project will be undertaken by WorleyParsons’ Mozambique and South Africa divisions.

They will also complete the detailed design and maintenance of the facility at Nacala.

WorleyParsons shares were down 14 cents at $21.97 in afternoon trade.