TL G-Ressano’s minerals transit terminal at the Ressano Garcia Railways exchange yard has proven to be just what Mozambique needed.Officially known as Terminal Internacional Ferroviario de Trânsito de Minérios de Ressano Garcia (TIFTMRG), the efficiencies introduced by this dry port have once again placed the emphasis on the importance of rail in the dry bulk mineral sector.The brainchild of TLG Mozambique and CFM railways, it has been handling up to two trains a day since its inception a year ago – and is set to ramp up operations with the capacity of four trains a day in the near future.According to Arnauld Stroebel, TLG Mozambique terminal manager, the facility has proved its value, and with the Port of Maputo ramping up its operations to handle more dry bulk, the dry port is following suit.“Interest in the facility has been growing as it provides an alternative logistics road-to-rail transit solution for minerals moving from South Africa to Mozambique for export. We are continuously investing in the terminal and now have our own dedicated shunter. This will see us improve the loading time of wagons significantly.”He said discussions were also ongoing with CFM for the facility to put its own dedicated mainline locomotives into the operation to pull trains through to Maputo.With a state-of-the-art system for receiving trucks through the weighbridge, an automatic number recognition camera that records off loading, and a communication system that ensures customers are kept up to date – in addition to the truck drivers not having to exit their vehicles to complete customs and immigration formalities – the entire facility is geared towards efficiency.Stroebel said the facility was handling several types of minerals, including magnetite, which was railed to the Matola port and chrome to the Port of Maputo.“The terminal is increasingly showing the value of moving minerals via rail. It makes sense to move 3 000 tons of cargo by rail versus 80 trucks,” he said. According to Stroebel, much of the dry port’s success has been its location. Situated only 400 metres from the South African Lebombo border, and thanks to the efficiency of the customs and immigration system set up for the drivers, the truck turnaround time has been shortened, which means more loads per month per vehicle.“Our facility is the first in southern Africa where the driver does not have to get out of the cab to complete customs and immigration. The customs/immigration booth has been set up at the truck cab height and all the formalities between the driver and the official are done through the window, including the driver’s biometrics. At present, it takes a driver approximately 45 minutes to get in and out of the border and off load.”“We now have approval for a dedicated road from South Africa directly into the facility. This will see South African officials also stationed at our facility, meaning trucks destined for the terminal can complete all South African and Mozambique formalities at the same location, without a driver having to get out of his truck.
