Latest 2012 Media Releases

22 November 2012  South Africa’s Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and Swaziland Railway (SR) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Swaziland Rail Link Project. The project is a collaborative effort between South Africa’s logistics parastatal Transnet and Swaziland railway to construct a railway line of approximately 142 kilometres, running from Lothair in South Africa through Swaziland to Richards Bay in South Africa.

The MOU was signed by TFR Chief Executive Mr Siyabonga Gama and Swaziland Rail Acting CEO Mr Stephenson Ngubane. It sets out how the parties will co-operate to ensure that all necessary measures related to the project are concluded to determine the feasibility of the project.

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07 November 2012  The new locomotives purchased by Transnet Freight Rail from the United States’ General Electric, are expected not only to benefit the SOC (State Owned Company), but its operational areas and South Africa as a whole. This move is also part of TFR’s R201 Billion Infrastructure investments and maintenance schedule which is supported by TFR’s 7 Year Market Demand Strategic Plan.

The Class 43 locomotives, rated by far the most powerful diesels in TFR’s fleet, provide a higher level of reliability, availability, transportation of more cargo and fuel efficiency. Communities surrounding TFR operational areas will experience a reduction of carbon forces in the atmosphere and the less noise when the trains are in motion. TFR will also benefit by saving on fuel costs, improvement of operational efficiency and improving the cycle time of flows where the new locomotives are deployed. This will also benefit TFR customers by ensuring consignments reach their destination on time.

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07 November 2012  Transnet Freight Rail embarks on the lean six sigma methodology. This method was introduced to Transnet Freight rail at the beginning of 2012/2013 financial year, as part of the Business Units implementation. The ODP (Operations Development and Performance) department aim is to improve TFR’s performance within operations nationally, to ensure cost-effective decision making and to also achieve scheduled railway to meet customer demands by delivering an efficient and reliable service to its customers.

The methodology perfectly aligns with the company’s Market Demand Strategy, which seeks to drive volume growth, enhanced accountability, governance and improved operational efficiencies through continuous improvement and problem solving methodologies, such as Lean Six Sigma. These methodologies will also assist in driving the road to rail strategy, which aims to boost the economy of the country, whilst also driving the reduction of carbon initiatives for a greener South Africa. The Lean Six Sigma is used for eliminating waste and reducing variability to achieve consistency in our performance to enable TFR to offer a more predictable service to its customers.

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17 October 2012  Transnet Freight Rail welcomes the arrest of the alleged perpetrators of the gruesome murder of Ms Nare Mashamaite, a TFR train driver who was brutally murdered at Makhado train station, in June. The perpetrator, today, appeared briefly in the Louis Trichardt Magistrates Court in connection with the incident.

As TFR we applaud the South African Police Service for their effort in apprehending the suspect.

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17 October 2012  Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has successfully implemented the first train service to transport hematite products from Mpaka in Swaziland to the Port of Richards Bay in South Africa. Hematite contains 48% iron ore and is mined at Ngwenya Mine in Swaziland, the oldest Hematite mine in the world. TFR together with its neighbor Swaziland Railway renders the service to Salgaocar Swaziland, an international mining company and supplier of Iron Ore.

The service is designed to run seven(7) trains per week, departing from Mpaka (Swaziland) to the Port of Richards Bay. The move is expected to add an estimated 1,2 Million Tons per annum to TFR’s annual railings.

TFR is also exploring the opportunity to rail Hematite from Swaziland to Maputo where its customer also sends some of its vessels to.

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19 September 2012  Following being announced as Runner Up at the exclusive Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards in the category of “Favourite Specialist Train Operator” at The British Museum on the 6th September 2012, The Blue Train continues to make winning a habit!

The Blue Train was yesterday named as Africa’s Leading Luxury Train by the World Travel Awards - an award it has enjoyed for four consecutive years now. The Blue Train adds this award to an already array list of accolades collected over the years; such as being voted The World’s Leading Luxury Train for three consecutive years between 2009 and 2011, at the World Travel Awards, as well as Best Passenger Rail Operator at the 2011 Africa Rail Awards.

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19 September 2012  Transnet Freight Rail, in conjunction with various stakeholders intends to increase the throughput of manganese export to 16 million tons per annum on the Hotazel to Port Elizabeth railway line. This expansion coincides with the development of a new manganese terminal in the Port of Ngqura. The railway line is classified as a general freight corridor and is known for its fairly challenging en-route topography. To achieve an annual throughput of 16 million tons per annum on a predominantly single line necessitated a review of the existing train operating methodology and with the advances in train handling technology the logical step was to increase train lengths to the maximum safe ‘envelope”.

After extensive computer train handling simulations, Transnet Freight Rail’s Technology Management Train Design department conducted the first in-service test into the possibility of increasing the current 104 wagon, head-end train to a 208 wagon (2 sets of 104 wagons) Radio Distributed Power (RDP) train where 8 locomotives are distributed throughout the train. The optimal locomotive distribution was based on initial simulations with 4 locomotives in the front, 3 in the middle and one at the rear of the train. The distribution of power throughout the train not only improves train handling through severe terrain but also facilitates lower in-train forces and reduced brake charging and stopping distances.

The ability to run the same number of trains per day with longer train consists increases the volume per train from 6 552 tons to 13 104 tons resulting in a more operationally cost effective solution.

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18 July 2012  As part of its Corporate Social Investment and in full support of Mandela day, Transnet Freight Rail will on the 18th of May officially donate an amount of R250 000-00 towards the school fees of 10 disadvantaged learners living with disability from Care Bears pre-primary for special education and Wings for life in Vanderbijl Park.

These pivotal schools cater mainly for learners with Autism and also accommodate learners with brain damage, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, physical disabilities and learning barriers. None of these children can cope in mainstream schools due to their conditions which need special care. .

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09 March 2012  TRANSNET Freight Rail has employed 138 people living with disabilities in this week alone, accounting for 0, 54% of the current workforce. The recruitment process is ongoing as an additional 197 employees will be appointed bringing the number of People Living with Disabilities recruited within a short space of time, to 335. This will be in addition to the 194 employees already employed in the organisation.

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23 January 2012  The Blue Train scooped the World’s leading Luxury Train award for the third consecutive year last week at a glittering world travel awards ceremony held in Doha, Qatar.

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