Port concessioning – Durban
To address the poorly performing Durban port, particularly Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2, the Department of Transport and Transnet’s operations divisions (Transnet National Ports Authority and Transnet Port Terminals) need to partner with a private terminal operator to upgrade the terminal. The DCT Pier 2 is Transnet’s largest container terminal. The tender to finalise…
read more >>National Rail Master Plan – network rightsizing
After the release of the freight logistics roadmap, the National Rail Master Plan aims to set out a sustainable approach to strategic rail network planning and a long-term plan that informs future developments of rail in the country. The final National Rail Master Plan was expected to be delivered by October 2025.
read more >>Identify and pursue appropriate PSP models for the rail network
The Freight Logistics Roadmap, alongside the White Paper on National Rail Policy, explicitly embraces a mix of PSP models: open access, concessions and investment partnerships, with the aim of unlocking capital and operational expertise. Current RFIs aim to gather market input on the most viable concession models for different corridors and assets. The Pier 2…
read more >>National Rail Bill
The White Paper on National Rail Policy (2022) was developed and gazetted for implementation in 2022. The Economic Regulation of Transport (ERT) Act, which was signed into law in June 2024, has not been fully enacted. The White Paper sets a 2050 vision for a competitive, integrated and sustainable rail system, calling for third-party access,…
read more >>Pathway to 193MT
The 193Mt served as an internal ‘stretch target’ beyond the official 170Mt goal for 2024/25. Transnet moved 161Mt by March 2025, showing progress from the 151.7Mt achieved in 2023/24. However, performance remains well below the 193MT stretch target and even the 170MT official target and, despite gradual recovery, remains well behind the record 226Mt in…
read more >>Corridor recovery teams
Corridor recovery teams (CRTs) have been established, which include Transnet’s managing executives, Operation Vulindlela, the Department of Public Enterprises, industry representatives and independent experts. These teams have developed delivery plans with specific actions and timeframes to achieve targeted freight volume increases. The CRTs are tasked to develop a detailed delivery plan to improve safety and security as…
read more >>TFR OEM partnerships for locomotives
TFR has experienced significant locomotive availability challenges, with 394 new generation locomotives standing idle due to derailments, collisions and a shortage of spare parts after the withdrawal of the OEM agreement. Since May 2024, Transnet Engineering has successfully returned 86 of these locomotives to service after securing support from alternative suppliers in Germany. The locomotive…
read more >>SAPS Rail
The South African Railway Police force, established in 1934, was dissolved and integrated into the South African Police Service in October 1986. Theft and sabotage of railway lines, copper and other equipment have plagued Transnet and contributed significantly to the dysfunctionality of both cargo and passenger rail routes. The freight logistics roadmap calls for the…
read more >>New TFR scheduling system
TFR historically relied on tonnage-based dispatching, running trains only when sufficient traffic accumulated, which disrupted efficient utilisation of crews, locomotives and equipment while yielding inconsistent transit times. The concept of fixed scheduling was introduced on certain corridors in 2011, but comprehensive system-wide implementation remains part of ongoing efforts to modernise. After an extensive RFP process,…
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