South Africa opens rail sector to private players to boost coal exports

South Africa has initiated a partial liberalisation of its railway network to improve the logistics of its mining exports, particularly thermal coal. Transnet SOC Ltd., through its division Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM), has recently finalised the licensing of 11 private operators to run 41 rail lines and six logistics corridors for a period of up to ten years. The objective is to enhance the transport of goods, including coal, chrome, manganese and fuels, to key export ports.