Transnet’s plans to boost freight rail capacity include a feasibility study on a rail ring around greater Johannesburg to reduce delays, Business Report reported on Thursday.
Moira Moses, the group executive for Transnet projects, said in a presentation, ”We want to build a new hub [to replace City Deep].
”We are completing a feasibility [study] on a Gauteng freight rail ring. This is important, because part of the reason for delays is that freight trains have to cross metro lines. As passenger trains have right of way, this can lead to a lot of delays.”
Speaking at the mid-year South African Chamber of Business convention, Moses said the idea was to take trains around greater Johannesburg and develop a new inland terminal using a large tract of Transnet land in Springs.
This proposal still needs to be presented to the Transnet board.
”Our mission is to take business away from road,” said Moses.
Richard Foulds, an executive director at Cross Country Containers, a Grindrod subsidiary, said on Wednesday that plans for the Gauteng freight rail ring needed to consider the cartage costs from Springs to Johannesburg to be a viable option.
Based on research by the University of Stellenbosch commissioned by Transnet, the transport parastatal has identified 23 priority commodities. These include coal, iron ore, cement, vehicles and containers.
Using 2004 as a base, it is forecast that 50,1-million tonnes will be transported on the Durban to Gauteng route in 2009, rising to 69,4-million tonnes in 2019 and 84-million tonnes in 2025.
In 2004 volumes between Durban and Gauteng were 42,2-million tonnes, of which Spoornet railed 10,3-million tonnes and road handled 31,9-million tonnes. – Sapa