South Africa Today, News source, provides breaking news on South Africa, world, Africa, sport, travel and more.
State-owned Transnet reported a loss of R5.7 billion in 2022-23 and a decline of 23.6 million tonnes in rail freight, down to 149.5 million tonnes. “The impact of such underperformance is having a knock-on effect on the economy due to the constraints it is placing on major mining and logistics companies. Its revenues are down, resulting in a reduction in potential tax collection.
“We have successfully carried out significant work in the railway sector, in both passenger and freight rail globally. This includes sizable projects in Africa,” notes Anafi. It recently completed a feasibility study for one of the biggest rail projects on the African continent, a 1 522 km link between landlocked Ethiopia and Sudan. It is also currently involved in a large-scale mega project in the Middle East, where it is designing both passenger and freight rail systems.
“Typically, our designs are done digitally, so we have a digital design that allows us to simulate how it will function,” says Britz. “It shows the client what they can expect from the infrastructure. If they need any adjustments made, we can actually show them before the infrastructure is built what they are going to get.
Anafi highlights that freight rail is a highly competitive means of transporting heavy and bulky goods over middle to long distances. “Our economy is very much dependent on the transportation of freight over significant distances due to the size of the country and our economic dependence on mining, manufacturing and industry, which all need to move bulky goods.” For example, iron ore mined in the Northern Cape must be railed over 800 km to the Port of Saldanha for export.
While Transnet itself might not be well suited or interested in some niche rail freight sectors where it lacks required expertise and experience, these sectors stand to generate much-needed employment and economic growth if the operating model is upgraded to allow for private participants who can efficiently handle them. “It is a much better way to handle the situation so you can deploy expertise in these niche sectors to oversee them.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
South Africa makes big copper pitch at home, in AfricaMajor players in South Africa are vying for copper mines across the continent, while local producers explore substantial unmined holdings at home.
Read more »
Tenderstem Broccoli: The brand that’s elevating South African palates with a veggie sensation!South Africa Today, News source, provides breaking news on South Africa, world, Africa, sport, travel and more.
Read more »
Russian Foreign Ministry Links Dagestan Unrest to Planned Provocation from AbroadSouth Africa Today, News source, provides breaking news on South Africa, world, Africa, sport, travel and more.
Read more »
The S&P 500 has cooled off. What are the signs of an upturn?South Africa Today, News source, provides breaking news on South Africa, world, Africa, sport, travel and more.
Read more »
12 Things you didn’t know about Crocworld Conservation CentreSouth Africa Today, News source, provides breaking news on South Africa, world, Africa, sport, travel and more.
Read more »
Escalation of Middle East Conflict Could Push Oil Prices to $157 a BarrelSouth Africa Today, News source, provides breaking news on South Africa, world, Africa, sport, travel and more.
Read more »