Transnet SOC Ltd., South Africa’s state-owned freight logistics company, has announced plans to allocate approximately 130 billion rand (about $7.4 billion) toward infrastructure upgrades over the next five years. The investment aims to reverse years of operational decline and enhance efficiency across its rail and port networks. n nA central focus of the initiative is the rehabilitation of two critical rail routes, one of which is an 861-kilometer (535-mile) corridor transporting iron ore from Sishen in the Northern Cape to the coastal port of Saldanha Bay. This line is vital for exporting minerals and supporting the country’s trade balance. According to Transnet Chairman Andile Sangqu, the improvements are part of a broader recovery strategy to restore reliability and attract private sector partnerships. n nPersistent infrastructure decay, mismanagement, and sabotage have hampered Transnet’s performance in recent years, contributing to bottlenecks that affect supply chains and economic growth. The new capital expenditure plan signals a commitment to long-term rehabilitation, with funds directed at modernizing signaling systems, repairing tracks, and upgrading locomotives. n
— news from Bloomberg.com
— News Original —nSouth Africa’s Transnet Plans $7.4 Billion Spend in Recovery BidnSouth Africa’s state-owned ports and railway operator Transnet SOC Ltd. plans to invest nearly 130 billion rand ($7.4 billion) on infrastructure projects over the next five years as it presses ahead to improve performance. n nThe plan prioritizes the refurbishment of two major rail corridors, including a 861-kilometer (535 miles) long iron ore line from Sishen in the Northern Cape to Saldanha Bay on the western coast, Transnet Chairman Andile Sangqu said in an interview on Friday.