South Africa's Transnet to expand RBCT port

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30 Sep 2010

South Africa’s logistics group, Transnet, said on Wednesday that it would this year complete a study to expand the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) and another port used for iron ore exports. South Africa is a major exporter of coal to power stations in Europe and Asia, but coal exporters have criticised Transnet in the past for its failure to transport enough coal to the terminal due to bottlenecks on the rail line.
Transnet director for planning (ports), David Stromberg, reiterated that private sector participation in expanding infrastructure would be needed as South Africa exports of coal and iron ore continue to rise.
Transnet has been investing heavily in new and improved infrastructure, but is still far from meeting an expanded annual capacity at the RBCT of 91 million tonnes.
South Africa exported 61 million tonnes of coal last year, and Transnet said it could ship up to 65 million tonnes this year, despite a three-week strike that crippled ports and railways in May.

Source: Reuters