29 August 2023: Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and Caminhos De Ferros De Mocambique (CFM) are excited to announce that the historic agreement signed in April 2023 to enable the seamless operation of trains between the two countries will be expanded to chrome and ferrochrome flows at 3 trains per day from 1 September 2023.

The first phase of run-through trains to Terminal de Carvão da Matola (TCM), Maputo has yielded a 23% increase in magnetite volumes. This drastic improvement is despite various disruptions on the line (including the closure of the line due to security disruptions and recent derailments). This more efficient rail service will improve the train cycle time by approximately 23% and grow the volume of rail by approximately 230,000 tons. The successes achieved on this route demonstrate the intrinsic value of meaningful collaboration between the two national railway operators.

This gives credence to what can be achieved when railway operations are not stifled by disruptions due to incessant cable theft and the shortage of locomotives, as experienced on other major routes to the East Coast supporting the vast Mpumalanga and Limpopo minerals deposits.

Issued on behalf of Transnet Freight Rail.