Gauteng – Maputo rail link swings into action

JOY ORLEK
LAST WEEK saw the launch of a regular, twice-weekly container rail service on the Gauteng – Maputo route. It’s a major step forward for the port whose inadequate landside logistics has until now been a strong detractor for shippers based in its natural hinterland. “We hope the market will follow and that we will attract some of the containers that are missing out on the Maputo route as the cheapest alternative,” commercial director of CFM, Maputo’s national railway, Dr David Gomes told FTW this week. “We can design a service for 4000 boxes immediately. And we can increase the number of trains if the market demands.” According to Gomes, a number of automotive customers have expressed interest. “We will need to further investigate this and establish how we can serve this industry. “If they intend moving their cargo in containers, we can provide an immediate service. We need them to put a business proposal on the table so that we can analyse it and supply input.” An investment of $12m (R90.6m) has been allocated for the rail rehabilitation, says Gomes. “By the end of November the first phase of rehabilitation will be complete. We hope that by January 2007 the line will be fully rehabilitated and we can then offer a world class service. “We realise that we have clients right now – coal, magnetite and other small general cargo commodities. “We have started by trying to stabilise the service for these clients, but our main objective is to grow the market for other commodities that are eager to use the port but were previously constrained by the limited service available.” The rail service is a joint venture with Spoornet which runs the corridor from Pretoria to Komatipoort. The Komatipoort to Maputo and Matola leg is run by CFM. Spoornet’s assistant regional manager based in Richards Bay, Frans Seloane, is also upbeat about growth potential on the route. “We want to see more containers moving from road to rail.”