If the “Port of Gauteng” achieved its objective of turning goods trains around in several hours or less, it would be a “gold mine”, according to warehousing specialist Martin Bailey, chairman of Industrial Logistic Systems.Currently Gauteng’s inbound rail freight heads for City Deep and Kaserne with goods trains having to cross passenger lines south of the city, resulting in lengthy delays.Once at the inland ports, inefficiencies result in yet more delays, translating into several days before a freight train is turned around.“It’s a mess,” said Bailey.“The Distribution Junction, in comparison, will change the nature of transport coming up from Durban to Gauteng. It’s strategically important for the country but I can’t see it ever happening unless Transnet comes on board,” he added.NT55 Investments, the company behind the development, believes that once its Distribution Junction is in operation, warehousing tenants will require Transnet to cooperate.This, said NT55 director Francois Nortje, was based on the anticipated support its scoping analysis was revealing.“We won’t need their participation to stop trains at Distribution Junction. They will have to.”Bailey agreed.“I’ve seen it before and it can work, but without rates f rom Transnet up front, I can’t see how prospective tenants will sign up. I have a customer who’s interested in 80 000 square meters, but without a signed, sealed and stamped deal from Transnet, it’s simply too risky.”Bailey also said that Transnet’s focus had moved away from consumer cargo a number of years ago, “back in the days of Maria Ramos”, a former chief executive of the state-owned company.“Back then it was decided that Transnet should concentrate on bulk rail. Unless that mindset changes, I can’t see it getting serious about cargo. They simply haven’t got the assets for it.”As for the Tambo Springs Logistics Gateway, a government development directly in competition with Distribution Junction and one that was supposed to have unlocked supply chain efficiencies for Gauteng by now, Bailey believes Nortje and his partners have nothing to be worried about.“Tambo Springs is dead in the water. It will cost too much money. It’s a beautiful project and looks very good on paper but it’s a pipe dream. It’s supposed to provide major opportunities for its partners, BEE interests who between them haven’t got a cent to their names.”
INSERT: The distribution junction will change the nature of transport coming up from Durban to Gauteng - Martin Bailey
