Spoornet and ferro industry seek solutions

AS SPOORNET'S capacity crisis continues to frustrate its customers, the rail utility is pulling out all the stops to address the issue. That's the word from executive manager Anand Moodliar who met major players in the ferrochrome industry in Durban recently to discuss plans and solutions. According to an industry source, the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better, and that will probably be no earlier than 2004. "The industry expects to produce 3,6 million tons of ferrochrome for export in 2004. Rail will have the capacity to carry 2mt which leaves 1,6mt to be road-hauled to Richards Bay. "That translates into a 30 ton road truck arriving every ten minutes of every 24 hours a day for 365 days!" In the meantime Spoornet is doing all it can to accommodate its customers, says media spokesman Mike Asefovitz. "In the Rustenburg area we're working towards 22 000 tons weekly, provided there is close collaboration between Spoornet, its client base and the port to ensure speedy turnaround," he said. In the Lydenburg/Witbank area it is working towards 19 000 tons a week. "We have identified areas, we are talking closely to our clients, and doing our best to address the supply and demand shortfall," he said. "But close co-operation to ensure speedy turnaround is imperative."