The first of a total of five phases of expansion of the Waterberg coal line to the port of Richards Bay has been completed, according to Transnet.
This includes the construction of a 1.8km long passing loop at Matlabas, enabling 100-wagon trains to cross without disrupting the operation of other trains on the line.
“The investment has resulted in a significant increase in rail capacity, improved operational efficiencies and faster turnaround times,” said a Transnet spokesperson, pointing out that rail capacity between Lephalale in the Limpopo province and Richards Bay Coal Terminal would increase from 400 000 tons to 2 million tons of coal per annum.
“In addition, the loop will enable Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) to increase its services from two trains to five a week, consistently, without requiring more wagons,” said the spokesperson.
He said that construction had started on the second phase of the project – which would increase capacity on the Lephalale to Richards Bay line from the current 2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 6mtpa.
This includes the construction of a 2.8km loop at Thabazimbi; building of a new 5km line to connect the loops at Bleskop and Norite; creating a double line section; and building a new 7km line to connect the loops at Dam and Onderstepoort, which will create another double line section.
“The long loops and short double line sections will enable long trains to pass without disrupting operations,” said the spokesperson. “Upon completion of the second phase, TFR will increase the current service from one jumbo wagon train (200-wagon train) a day to three big trains a day.”
