Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and Toyota SA Motors (TSAM) have concluded an agreement for the handling and transportation of certain locally manufactured and imported Toyota vehicles.
The contract is in line with TFR’s strategy to offer an end-to-end supply chain solution to cargo owners and includes several value additions such as vehicle loading and yard management.
Under the previous arrangement, the commercial relationship was through a logistics service provider which optimised its fleet of road carriers and thereafter considered rail for surplus only. With this new contract TFR's Container and Automotive Business unit will now have a direct relationship with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Toyota and a direct influence in the logistics chain.
Toyota will benefit from the significant bulk carrying capacity offered by TFR, a spokesman said. “This will translate into long-term savings on vehicle movement and general logistics overhead costs.”