Transnet’s plans to revitalise regional infrastructure is progressing well according to Transnet Freight Rail general manager: commercial, Phumzile Sithole. “The goal is to integrate South Africa with the region and the rest of the world with rail,” she said. “This will focus on growing volumes through seeking new growth paths, geographic expansion and opportunities for private sector partnering.” One such project, said Sithole, was the Maputo Corridor Optimisation project. “This project will create streamlined capacity for South African ports and especially Durban and Richards Bay.” Sithole said the initiative served commodities like magnetite, chrome and rock phosphate. “The port of Maputo was identified as the closest port to the Kwa-Zulu Natal ports to export the identified commodities. The volume throughput over the Maputo Corridor has grown by 50% over the past five years, despite the economic downturn in 2015/16.” She said Transnet also remained committed to enabling export in bulk by rail.
