With the refurbishment
of Transnet Freight Rail’s
City Deep terminal in full
swing, the rail utility has
entered into an arrangement
with SACD Freight to
accommodate overflow
import cargo.
“We extended our siding
to accommodate a full block
train and have been working
with TFR to take overflow
volumes,” SACD Freight
regional director Dennis
Trotter told FTW.
“It’s taken some time
to get going, but since last
month we’ve been moving
one block train a day from
Durban to our City Deep
siding. We don’t dispatch
from here but take the
containers next door to the
TFR terminal – so as far as
the customer is concerned it
was brought in by Transnet.
There’s no change to the
normal operation.”
Trial runs have been under
way on a regular basis for
some time in the lead-up to
the current regular service.
With import volumes
generally depressed at
present, Trotter says one
train a day adequately fulfils
capacity demands.
“But as soon as volumes
start picking up, we’ve got
the night shift ready to move
into action and we’ll be able
to handle three trains a day
for them if that’s required.”
According to Trotter, the
arrangement is working
well and could become a
long-term solution even after
refurbishment activity at
TFR has been completed.
The additional business
has been welcome for the
company, he added.
“We’re all feeling the
effects of reduced volumes,
particularly reduced
commodities, with the
commodity price being as
low as it is.”
CAPTION
Dennis Trotter ... working with
TFR
