JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) moved a record 1.05-million tons of manganese in May – a new monthly record – as a result of an improvement in operational efficiencies and an upturn in market conditions.
“The record-breaking performance is due to a significant improvement in efficiencies across the channels, which was driven by the introduction of new locomotives, among other things. The introduction of the new fleet improved traction effort, efficiency and reliability, while using fewer locomotives,” TFR stated in a media release on Wednesday.
More than 75% of the locomotive fleet on the manganese line, which runs from Hotazel to Port Elizabeth, Saldanha and Durban, is new.
The new locomotives have had a significant impact on operations, including reducing cycle times from 200 hours to 125 hours and a 45% improvement in reliability.
As part of the company’s infrastructure investment programme, Transnet is modernising its fleet to increase volumes, and improve reliability of service and customer satisfaction. Transnet recently took delivery of hundreds of new electric locomotives, with 85 of these dedicated to the manganese line.