Eastern Cape freight likely to stay on road

There is little economic justification for significant investment in the Eastern Cape's freight rail infrastructure, according to a 10-year plan tabled by the province's Department of Roads and Transport. According to the plan, the province has 3 500 km of Cape gauge railway, but with only limited freight capacity. The major line in the province with significant current capacity is the 370km long line between Port Elizabeth and Noupoort, which is capable of handling “reasonably long trains with 20 ton axles at speeds of more than 80 kph and is electrified with a relatively modern 25 kV AC system,” says the report. This line carries 3.5MT of the total of 4.5MT moved by rail annually in the province. The bulk of the tonnage is made up of manganese ore which is shipped through the Port Elizabeth harbour. It adds “the existing port at Port Elizabeth is adequately catered for and rail developments are under way to cater for the new port and related developments at Coega”. The only other freight line “of some current significance is the approximately 400km long line between Buffalo City and the Orange river at Bethulie”. This is under threat as “reduced activity in the East London port is also leading to a reduction of the line’s status over time. The East London port requires upgrading to accommodate larger ships and increase its volumes and is served adequately by rail for the limited freight that is currently being shipped,” says the report. All other lines that have not been abandoned can only carry relatively short trains with axle loads of 18.5 tons or less at speeds of around 50 kph or slower. There are approximately 1 400 km of abandoned lines, with little economic justification for reviving these rail links. “It was concluded that the E Cape should not focus on linkages to external provinces or on the re- development of any branch lines,” say the authors. Looking at future growth opportunities, the report says “if Mthatha could be developed as a hub for processing, warehousing and distributing forestry and agriculture products going to the East London Port and a variety of products coming from East London to satisfy the needs of farmers and forestry companies, seed, fertilisers, tools, mechanical equipment, etc then freight volumes may make rail more viable”.