Rail

The economic reform agenda has emerged as the defining feature of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency, especially the reforms under way to open the electricity and freight logistics markets to... 

The 11 private train operating companies (TOCs), which were last year allocated slots on South Africa’s mainline rail network, have now officially concluded rail access agreements with the Transnet... 

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that major private sector participation (PSP) projects in the freight logistics sector will be brought to market in the current financial year and... 

The Draft National Rail Master Plan released by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy for public comment outlines an ambitious R2-trillion vision for repositioning South Africa’s underperforming rail... 

South Africa’s rail network infrastructure challenges continue to stifle economic competitiveness, sustainability and regional integration, and the network requires a complete revitalisation... 

As South Africa’s freight system sits at a critical crossroads, with logistics costs estimated at between 11% and 12%, inefficiencies no longer just pose operational challenges, but create a direct... 

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy reports that she intends seeking Cabinet approval for a new National Rail Bill during the 2026/27 financial year and that the Bill will aim to embed in legislation... 

Transnet is expecting to report rail volumes of about 168-million tons for the 2025/26 financial year, above the 160.1-million tons of the prior year but below the “stretch target” of 180-million... 

The importance of rail and water for South Africa’s economic growth was emphasised on the second day of industry organisation Consulting Engineers South Africa’s (Cesa’s) Infrastructure Indaba... 

Open-die forging and ring-rolling products manufacturer Frankwen Forge has been operating its new gas carburising facility for almost a year, following its commissioning in April 2025 after an... 

Despite progress in South Africa’s rail reform policy and regulation, outdated financial frameworks and unresolved structural legislative imbalances hamper rail infrastructure development in South... 

Updated public–private partnership (PPP) regulations have reshaped the framework within which South Africa’s steel industry operates and they are expected to increase steel demand across... 

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy reports that Transnet is preparing to release request for proposal (RFP) documents for three large private sector participation (PSP) projects in 2026, including... 

The current recovery process at Transnet must be seen as a transition period, with the rail and port entity’s long-term goal being to reach a state of reliability and sustainability, says Transnet... 

The local railway manufacturing, maintenance, engineering and supply industry representative body, the Africa Rail Industry Association (ARIA), has announced an acceleration of its localisation... 

Long-term concessions, unified governance and transparent metrics are essential to restoring rail performance and rebuilding investor confidence, says consultancy Oliver Wyman energy and natural... 

It’s been a difficult journey, but Transnet last month celebrated a fleet-renewal milestone when the 200th Traxx 23E locomotive rolled off the assembly line. The locomotive is part of 240 such... 

South Africa’s road, rail and port networks remain under strain, with each part of the system facing operational and infrastructure challenges.  Roads continue to carry most freight as rail... 

There are signs that the long-promised change to the composition of government spending – from consumption to capital investment – is at last taking shape. In his Medium-Term Budget Policy...