Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) is keen to partner with the road, sea and air transport modes to provide end-to-end supply chain solutions for customers. This, according to Siyabonga Gama, Transnet’s CEO, speaking at the FACE2FACE 3S MEDIA interactive Forum on the 19 April 2012, must include alliances with logistics service providers (3PL & 4PL) including road hauliers, terminals, warehousing, inland consolidation hubs, multimodal hubs providing intermodal solutions and road-rail technologies.

TFR is in the process of finalising a Private Sector Participation (PSP) Framework to guide the introduction and implementation of PSP projects and initiatives in TFR in a consistent and coherent manner. The intention is to leverage the private sector in several areas in order to supplement the volumes and investments in the market driven strategy (MDS) growth plan. Identified and potential areas include:

Identified PSP: Wagons Potential PSP: Terminals Potential PSP: Infrastructure
• Specialised wagons for customers
• PSP arrangements for wagons schemes in base-load industries.
• Bi-modal technologies
• Branch-lines • Inland consolidation terminals for coal, manganese, chrome.
• Inland container and automotive terminals • Strategic corridor expansions
• Waterberg heavy haul rail line (new route)
• Swaziland Rail Link

Transnet Freight Rail is determined to win back market share of rail friendly tonnages, through significant improvements in operational performance, targeted and effective capital investments as well as partnerships to offer innovative logistics solutions to the Southern African region. “However, given that considerable growth in transportable GDP is forecast for South Africa, road and rail both have a role to play in ensuring economic growth and job creation for South Africa,“ he said.