South Africa has opened its freight rail network to private train operators in the country’s biggest rail reform in decades, as authorities try to revive a collapsing logistics system blamed for choking exports and slowing growth in Africa’s most industrialised economy.
State-owned logistics company Transnet this week concluded agreements with 11 private operators that will run trains across key freight corridors linking mines, industrial hubs and ports.
The agreements effectively end more than 100 years of state dominance over freight rail operations and mark a major policy shift for a country whose rail network was once regarded as one of the world’s most advanced commodity transport systems.
The operators will gain access to 41 routes across five strategic corridors serving coal, iron ore, manganese, fuel, containers and general freight.
The companies include ARC South Africa, Grindrod, TLD Marine, Sharp Logistics, Minrail, Interlinks and Motheo Logistics, among others.
