Rail tariffs to Coega will be competitive

Ed Richardson
GOVERNMENT HAS announced plans to upgrade rail links to the Eastern Cape, and has also given a commitment to keeping tariffs on the line serving the new deep-water port of Ngqura "competitive."
Speaking during his recent budget debate in parliament last week, public enterprises minister Jeff Radebe said Spoornet would "provide rail transport at competitive prices." This is seen as a boost to the port because rail tariffs hold the key to container traffic from Gauteng and farther afield in Africa.
Public enterprises chief director Andile Nkuhlu told a media briefing that there were also plans to upgrade the railway line between Gauteng and East London.
The upgrade would strengthen East London's position as a major import and export hub for the motor industry. According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), South Africa's share of the world automotive market grew from 0,61% to 0.73% between 2001 and 2002.