Transnet Freight Rail Announces Additional Export Manganese Capability

In a massive boost for the South African economy, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) is providing additional capacity for the export of manganese through the extension of the current Mamathwane crossing loop in the Northern Cape. This development has the potential of additional revenue for TFR and an estimated R4.4 billion in foreign earnings for the South African economy.

The extension of the current loop, which is scheduled for completion at the end of July 2023, aims to improve efficiencies, and translates to a potential 1.5 million tons of additional capacity. The construction of the loop will capacitate export efficiency in both the Cape and Ore Corridors.

TFR is encouraged by this new development as a significant step towards creating additional capacity. The longer term expansion project will increase manganese volumes from 16 million tons to 22 million tons by 2027/28.

The loop extension will ensure maximum slot usage on the line between Sishen and Hotazel, enabling the movement of additional trains in this constrained section. As things stand, TFR runs 104 wagon trains to PE and 125 wagon trains to Saldanha. The loop extension will result in an increase of an estimated (4) four trains per week.

The bottleneck in the rail network from the Manganese Basin in Hotazel in the Northern Cape to Port Elizabeth, or Saldanha, is the line between Hotazel and Sishen. This section of the line is currently maxed out in terms of the number of slots that TFR can enable.

Extending this loop will enable a sizeable number of slots in addition to the current capacity in the constraining section between Sishen and Hotazel.

TFR has been engaging with industry players – both big and small – on a regular basis, to explore areas of collaboration in either improving efficiencies or creating new capacities. Outside of this project, TFR is embarking on several other capacity creation projects in partnership with key industry players.