The first eight locomotives under Traxtion's R3.4 billion rolling stock investment programme have arrived at the Port of Durban, marking the start of a fleet expansion that will see 46 locomotives and 920 wagons introduced over the next two years.
The Wabtec C28 locomotives, shipped from New Zealand, will be transported to Traxtion's Rail Services Hub in Pretoria, where refurbishment and upgrades are due to begin in September before they enter commercial service.
The arrival coincided with government's efforts to expand private-sector participation in the freight rail sector through reforms aimed at increasing network capacity and enabling third-party access, Traxtion said.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy recently said South Africa's freight rail reform programme had moved beyond policy development to implementation, with greater private-sector participation forming a key part of efforts to revitalise the rail network, the company noted.
The forthcoming Version 4 Rail Network Statement is expected to provide greater certainty around access to the national rail network, supporting long-term investment by private operators, according to Traxtion.
The company estimates its rolling stock investment will add freight capacity equivalent to about 4.5 million tonnes, contributing to government's ambition of increasing annual freight rail volumes from around 160 million tonnes to 250 million tonnes.
Long-term private investment would be essential to unlocking additional rail capacity, Traxtion chief executive James Holley said.
"The future of freight depends on collaboration between government and the private sector, backed by the kind of long-term investment needed to build capacity and unlock economic opportunity," he said.
The refurbishment programme will be undertaken in South Africa and is expected to support local engineering capability. According to Traxtion, the project will comprise 78% local procurement, 60% local content and create 665 permanent skilled jobs, while the locomotives will be upgraded with new-generation 3 300-horsepower Wabtec engines.
