TRF to trial new bimodal technology

Transnet Freight Rail will begin
trialling bimodal technology on
the Cape corridor in the next
financial year.
That’s the word from TFR
executive manager, intermodal
business, Wiseman Madinane,
who believes it will be a
game-changer in the domestic
transport sector.
“We have not made
significant inroads in the
domestic market where coastal
manufacturing entities are
selling their products to the
Gauteng market. We’re hoping
that with bimodal technology
we will be able to tap into that
market,” Madinane told FTW.
“The logistics demands of the
domestic sector will probably
not be achieved through rail
as we know it. With bimodal
technology you can run wagons
on rail and road.”
A tender has been awarded
to two preferred suppliers, one
of whom will run a trial on the
Natal corridor, the other on the
Cape corridor.
“Maritime container traffic is
not the primary market target
for the bimodal technology,”
he said.
The technology is imported
from the US where is has been
used with great success.