Transnet Freight Rail (“TFR”) is successfully spearheading a seamless train operation between South Africa and Mozambique running on the North-East corridor, actively collaborating with Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (“CFM”).

In April this year, TFR engaged CFM to introduce the seamless train operation for magnetite flow which means the same locomotive(s), and wagons haul magnetite from the mines in Phalaborwa to Matola. The long stops at Komatipoort to swap over locomotives are eliminated, resulting in reduced dwell times in Komatipoort and improving the overall train cycle times. The inbound volumes handled in the Matola terminal have shown an upward trend since this concept was introduced, increasing the monthly run rate by 23% between May and July 2023 compared to the monthly run rate between the start of this year and April. This has contributed to the Matola terminal achieving its second highest ever monthly shipment of 916 808 tonnes in August. The initiative enables TFR to optimise the utilisation of its rolling stock allocated to this corridor, contribute to South Africa’s mineral exports and impact positively in unlocking border congestion.

The Matola terminal has increased its wagon discharge capacity in response to this initiative, and in anticipation of another exciting project in the pipeline by TFR and a South African mining customer to rail longer magnetite trains of 160 wagons, doubling the current 80-wagon train set.

Collaboration to move cargo on trains running seamlessly between the two countries is an ongoing initiative. It requires an unrelenting commitment to learn from one another and continuously find solutions to drive efficiencies in this corridor.