Coega pushes for rail links

Ed Richardson
RAIL LINKS from the Port of Ngqura at Coega are a priority to prevent traffic congestion which could result from the volumes expected to be handled at the container terminal.
This is according to Transnet representatives who addressed a public meeting recently on the Draft Scoping Report, which forms part of the Environmental Impact Assessment process of the proposed extension to the container berth and construction of an administration craft basin at the Port of Ngqura.
According to the spokespeople, the country is experiencing a lack of available terminal space. Andries Auret of Transnet says the idea is to form a container terminal hub at the Coega port, with an interconnecting railway to Johannesburg to handle the heavy loads. The rail terminal will be situated behind the container berth and operate from the Coega station.
It was also stated that Spoornet was looking at developing a more competitive tariff for goods transported by rail.
This in order to compete against road. The transportation of goods from the port by road has been identified as one of the areas of concern in the draft scoping report because of its potential damage to the road infrastructure and the likely increase in traffic congestion.
According to Transnet, much planning has gone into the Coega rail network as there are plans to transport thousands of TEUS a month from the port.