Transnet is clearly delivering on its strategy to move more cargo from road to rail having successfully piloted an inland operation that will see the haulage of reefer containers from Bellville’s Belcon Inland Terminal to the port.
The collaboration between the SOE’s two operating units – Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) and Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) - introduces much-needed improvements in the entire supply chain, says spokesperson Ayanda Shezi.
The pilot project involved one customer and the transport of 20 containers on Friday. The aim is to gradually increase this, with more uptake from reefer container customers and cargo owners.
“It’s part of a bid to increase efficiencies at Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) and brings about much-needed relief on the roads, moves goods more efficiently to the ports, and reduces the cost of doing business,” says Shezi.
The Belcon Inland Terminal, where reefer containers will be loaded and hauled to the terminal, is located about 20 kilometres from Cape Town. Unlike a truck, which carries one reefer container per trip, one train has the capacity to carry up to 36 containers at a time.
The inland operation is one of the projects earmarked for implementation as a response to both community and customer concerns over traffic in the vicinity, says Shezi.
