The highest amount of coal ever railed by Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) – 6 886 230 tons – was delivered to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) during the month of August 2013.

The previous record of 6 582 401 tons was set in August 2011.

Amongst the initiatives introduced by TFR to boost efficiencies on the Export Coal line is the 200 wagon train service called ‘Shongololo’, Millipede. With this service trains now run from the mines in Mpumalanga to the port completely by – passing Ermelo yard, the line is additionally bolstered by the deployment of the Class 19E locomotives which have the ability to run the entirety of the ‘pit to port’ journey without having to stop for crew change translating shortened cycle times for both locomotives and wagons.

TFR is on a continuous journey to pursue opportunities for volume growth, enhanced service levels, productivity and efficiency gains. Should the coal be available, the ambition for the organisation is to grow volumes to exceed 81 million tons per annum for the next financial year.

Siyabonga Gama, Chief Executive of TFR says, “Transnet Freight Rail is experiencing a drastic shift in paradigm and is working tirelessly to improve its customer service offering while serving the South African economy”.