Seamless operation of trains between South Africa & Mozambique
Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and Caminhos De Ferros De Mocambique (CFM) are excited to announce that the historic agreement, signed in April 2023, enabling the seamless operation of trains between the two countries, will expand to include chrome and ferrochrome flows with 3 trains per day starting from 1 September 2023.
The first phase of run-through trains to Terminal de Carvão da Matola (TCM) in Maputo has resulted in a 23% increase in magnetite volumes. This significant improvement has occurred despite various disruptions on the line, including the closure due to security concerns and recent derailments. This enhanced rail service is set to improve the train cycle time by approximately 23% and increase the rail volume by about 230,000 tons.
The successes achieved on this route underscore the value of meaningful collaboration between the two national railway operators. It exemplifies what can be accomplished when railway operations aren’t hampered by disruptions like incessant cable theft or a shortage of locomotives, issues that have been experienced on other major routes to the East Coast, which support the vast Mpumalanga and Limpopo mineral deposits.
