South African logistics company Grindrod plans to begin rail transportation of coal from South Africa to Mozambique in 2027, using the network of state rail operator Transnet. The operation forms part of South Africa's railway sector reforms, which aim to expand freight capacity and open the national network to private operators.
The initiative is part of a broader process to open Transnet's rail infrastructure to private companies at a time when the state operator has struggled to meet demand. The measure is intended to improve system efficiency and increase volumes of cargo moved by rail.
In the first year of commercial operations on Transnet's Northeast Corridor, Grindrod expects to transport approximately 288,000 tonnes of coal from the South African province of Mpumalanga to its terminal in Matola, Mozambique.
The company announced on Tuesday, 3 November, the successful completion of a trial rail journey conducted on 1 and 2 November. The test run, which included both outbound and return legs, transported 2,991 tonnes of cargo using Grindrod's own locomotives and wagons.
The operation made Grindrod the first private entity to run on South Africa's national freight rail network under the new open-access regime, which allows independent operators to use state-owned infrastructure.
The South African government expects the entry of private operators to add 20 million tonnes per year to rail freight volumes, contributing to a target of 250 million tonnes annually by 2029.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=558136
