Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has doubled rail capacity for export grain farmers in Bethlehem in the Free State, as the export grain season gets under way.
Through integrated demand planning with farmers, TFR plans to move 550 000 tons of export grain, a 133% increase from the 235 826 tons in the previous season. The 550 000 tons is equivalent to approximately 16 100 trucks off the road, which will have a material impact on easing road congestion in the Port of Durban precinct, according to a TFR spokesman.
The export season started in April and runs until September. It is expected to peak in June and July. “The export railing will incrementally ramp up from the current average of 10 000 tons per week to a weekly tempo of 28 000 tons by the end of May,” the spokesman added.
TFR will run 15 to 20 export grain trains per week from Bethlehem to the Port of Durban, where private terminal operators handle the commodity.
TFR says it is committed to further increasing rail capacity for the 2022 grain export season by aligning with the industry and reviewing operating models to improve capacity.
