Swazi Rail thrives on transit cargo

Cross-border freight traffic is expected to ensure profitability for Swaziland Railway this year. About 90% of the company’s revenues are derived from transit cargo. “Cargo originating from other countries and moving through Swaziland is our mainstay, although we are seeing more freight like minerals originating locally. Our system is prepared to receive transit shipments so they pass quickly through the country to their destinations,” Stephenson Ngubane, acting CEO of Swaziland Railway, told FTW. To different degrees, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe all depend on Swaziland’s rail lines for freight sent out and received by rail. Zimbabwe, for instance, is a recipient of containerised cargo shipped through Swaziland. Travelling from points south and west, rail freight entering Swaziland is directed to either Maputo, a short northeasterly trip from the country’s northern point, or east to Richards Bay, where larger vessels than those that can dock at Maputo await to receive or disgorge cargo received from or about to commence its rail travel. Ensuring smooth passage of cross-border freight traffic requires constant liaising with customers from other countries, and planning. Trains arriving at Richards Bay with Swazi coal return laden with fuel and import containers.