Concerted efforts to improve operational efficiencies across the entire north-south rail corridor (NSC) between Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the ports of Durban and Richards Bay appear to be paying off. Primary among these, said Kudzanayi Bangure of the Nepad Business Foundation (NBF)
which oversees the NSC, has been to establish an independent and integrated information system through the use of data-sharing technologies. “It’s still a work in progress but we’ve made significant progress towards enabling complete visibility across the entire system,” said the nongovernmental organisation’s
programme manager for infrastructure. “Ultimately we need all aspects of the corridor to work hand-in-glove in an efficient manner and we believe achieving that goal is around the corner.” Bangure added that significant strides had already been made towards using constant data updates to flag bottlenecking and highlight issues that could cause delays. “One of the most important objectives along the corridor is to improve turnaround times, simply because faster freight means better business through promoting buy-in from our clients and helping to secure investment.” Asked where bottlenecking was still a problem, Bangure was hesitant to look at problems in isolation. “It would be an unfair
assessment and is part of our philosophy of looking at the system in its totality. A problem in Zambia could for example cause a ripple effect that affects the DRC and other key points on the corridor.” He emphasised that whereas in the past the NSC had been viewed in parts, the NBF was “trying to move away from looking at the corridor in sections. It’s a single system and is supposed to work as such”. Participation from the various railway companies benefiting from the corridor is also said to be in a progressive phase, and the
consistent exposure to current data from parastatals and related entities is helping the NBF in its efforts to digitise and speedily disseminate information. “We’re happy to report that enhanced involvement by the various administrators has, for example, resulted in preclearance at border crossings becoming easier. “There are still places where delays are holding up bulk cargo moving on the corridor but in general we’re seeing a lot of improvement, mainly thanks to expedited information sharing.”
CAPTION: Faster freight means better business through promoting buy-in from our clients and helping to secure investment. – Bangure Kudzanayi
