Rail a priority to get the most out of Coega – MOL

CARGO INTO and out of
the Eastern Cape must
move “back to rail” to
ensure that the country
enjoys the maximum
benefits from the new
port of Ngqura, says John
Lawlor, Eastern Cape branch
manager for MOL
South Africa.
“There is good potential
in Ngqura and it is a good
opportunity,” he says. But,
in order to control costs and
reduce maintenance costs
on the province’s roads, the
rail services to the province
should be improved.
“We need both
the infrastructure and
competitive rates to get
containers off the road and
back onto rail,” says Lawlor.
He sees positive signs that
this is happening. “It is good
to see Transnet’s focus
on rail.”
Costs and efficiencies are
top of mind for the MOL
team in the Eastern Cape,
he says.
“We are on a quality
management drive. The
focus is on reducing the cost
per teu handled through
greater efficiencies,” he says.
For clients, the benefits
are improved productivity
as containers arrive and are
fetched on time, and are
cleared as quickly
as possible.
Improved efficiencies
also put MOL in a stronger
position to help its
customers as the local
economy and traffic through
the ports grows. “I am very
positive about the future,”
says Lawlor.