The dream is to develop an integrated rail logistics network for Africa

The growth in road traffic – to the detriment of rail market share – over the past decade has been well documented. And the gap has been widening. By Transnet Freight Rail’s own admission, under-investment and insufficient maintenance, lack of strategic vision, inflexibility and insufficient skills development are among the reasons for the decline. But TFR is intent on turning the tide, as CEO Siyabonga Gama told FTW recently. “It’s not about rail versus road. “It’s about rail, road, ports and suppliers collaborating to satisfy customer needs. “Rail’s strength is long-distance while road is door-to-door service. Road should therefore be limited to shorthaul, small parcels.” Recognising where its focus needs to lie, TFR has put in place a range of customer-centric strategies, says Gama. “Our service must be available within a defined window of operation, set by the customer, providing reliability, flexibility and a cost-effective option – and that’s the priority that TFR has set. “Rail has a role in creating a seamless supply chain – a system of integrating logistics players and customers through a seamless process supported by a common technology platform,” says Gama. A hub-to-hub strategy lies at the heart of this process – hub-to-hub block load moves, shunting and consolidation activities near the port, and intermodal integrated solution design and service level agreements. But TFR’s vision for rail extends beyond South Africa’s borders to integration in Africa. “It’s not about the different gauges,” says Gama. “New technology can enable working across different gauge networks. But gauge changes will require new generation wagons and locomotives and replacements of existing fleet as well as new load out facilities at mines and ports.” A challenging agenda, but Gama is convinced that rail lies at the heart of Africa’s renewal. “Railway companies must be passionate in developing rail networks on the African continent. “We must search for necessary expertise and experience to make rail development and new markets happen.” The ultimate goal is to connect African countries and economies through a seamless rail logistics network. “To realise this dream we need a coherent and deliberate strategy – and we need to act now!”