POLOKWANE – The project comprised the construction of a 1,8 km long passing loop at Matlabas which means that 100 wagon trains can cross without disrupting the operation of other trains on the line. This loop means improved operational efficiency, faster turnaround times and a significant increase in rail capacity.
Transnet Spokesperson, Molatwane Likhethe, said rail capacity between Lephalale and the Richards Bay coal terminal has increased from 400 000 tonnes to two million tonnes of coal per annum since the completion of the project. “The loop has enabled Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) to increase its services from two to five trains a week consistently, without requiring more wagons. This improvement creates the potential to run one train a day. Previously, Matlabas loop could only accommodate 50-wagon trains,” he explained. The construction of the Matlabas loop is the first of five phases to increase capacity on the Waterberg line.
Transnet has allocated a budget of R21,8 billion to increase rail capacity on the export coal line to 81 million tonnes over the next seven years and this project proves key to that spending. “The investment is in line with the company’s infrastructure investment programme, the Market Demand Strategy, which is aimed at creating capacity ahead of demand,” Likhethe explained.
The second phase of the line has already begun and it is expected to increase the current two million tonnes of coal from Lephalale to Richards Bay, to 6 million tonnes per annum and will include the construction of long loops and short double line sections which will enable long trains to pass without disrupting operations. When the second stage is complete, TFR will increase the current service from one jumbo wagon train (200-wagon train) a day to three big trains a day.
raeesak@nmgroup.co.za
Public Enterprises Deputy Minister, Bulelani Magwanishe, assesses the new coal lines constructed by Transnet.
