TFR creates capacity in Kaserne

Upgrading and improving capacity is part and parcel of Transnet Freight Rail’s plan to entice more cargo to rail. According to Frans Seloane, operations executive manager of the container and automotive division, plans include the development of a piece of land in Kaserne in Johannesburg that will see the new area Kaserne grow three times the current size compared to City Deep Terminal. This infrastructural development, that is expected to run into billions of rands, is awaiting development of a proper business case and board approval. “Various feasibility and case studies will have to be conducted before we can start developing the area, but City Deep terminal remains the largest inland terminal.” With capacity to handle some 5200 containers, City Deep has seen more container demand in recent months than it has experienced in the past few years. “We expect that demand to continue to grow,” says Seloane. “And to meet that demand it is necessary to create more capacity.” In the meantime much refurbishment is happening at City Deep itself where R55 million is being spent on refurbishing four cranes. “We will also be resurfacing the tarmac in some places where it is cracking very badly. This is due to the weight of containers it is taking at moment – the area was originally designed as a trailer-borne operation, but this will all be addressed in the refurbishing process.” Seloane said with four gantry cranes and eight reach stackers on hand, City Deep is measuring up well to the increase in demand. “We are offloading at least four trains per day and loading another five. The plan is to increase this capacity to 12 trains a day.”