A 12 day shutdown of the coal export line is taking place between 14 and 25 May so Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) can ensure its operational efficiency remains on the line.

The shutdown is an annual exercise carried out in the month of May to ensure that the company (a) “catches up” on maintenance backlog, (b) replace old, obsolete and problematic infrastructure as part of sustainability of the business, and (c) accelerate the major capital expansion/upgrade projects in line with the expected volume growth, also as a requirement for the company’s Market Demand Strategy (MDS).

Specific activities to be carried out during the shutdown period includes, among others, the following: sleepers replacement, formation rehabilitation, tamping (stabilising of the ballast stones under the sleepers), screening (cleaning and removal of obsolete ballast stones), sub stations overhaul which includes, among others, repairing oil leaks on main transformers, repairing oil leaks on primary circuit breakers, filter oil of main transformers, e.t.c

The shutdown programme is also necessitated by the fact that on the Coal line there are sections where infrastructure work cannot be carried out without stopping the entire train service.

TFR is working closely with its customers in planning for the execution of the shutdown programme for both parties to realise the long term benefits that goes with it.