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transnet train
Theft, vandalism crippling South African infrastructure despite Transnet gains, warns Busa
28th July 2025 By: Darren Parker

Although State-owned Transnet is on the mend, rampant theft and vandalism continue to cripple all of South Africa’s key infrastructure sectors, not just rail, posing a grave threat to the economy... 


Transnet signage
Transnet secures more than R95bn in fresh govt guarantees
28th July 2025 By: Reuters

South Africa's government will give Transnet an additional R94.8-billion rand guarantee facility to support the ailing State-owned logistics firm's recovery plan, the transport ministry said on... 


Prasa
Prasa, union reach wage deal
25th July 2025 By: Bloomberg

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and its key union reached a wage agreement that will see a 5.5% increase in workers’ pay across the board. The United National Transport Union and Prasa... 


Freight logistics, electricity sector reforms in the spotlight
Freight logistics, electricity sector reforms in the spotlight
25th July 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses a business organisation's frustration with Transnet; indications that reforms in the electricity sector are not moving ahead as expected; and... 


A traxtion locomotive
Rail overhaul capability scales up amid reform push
25th July 2025

Rail services company Traxtion is expanding its locomotive overhaul capabilities to support the growing demand for rolling stock across the continent. The expansion is centred on the company’s... 


A wabtec train on the tracks.
Diesel-electric units lead rolling-stock demand
25th July 2025 By: Devina Haripersad

Rolling-stock demand across South Africa and the African continent is surging, with freight locomotives, particularly diesel-electric models, in high demand. This is according to global rail... 


Gibela staff working on the factory floor
Local manufacturer hits stride
25th July 2025 By: Devina Haripersad

Joint South African-French rolling-stock manufacturer Gibela Rail is set to mark a major milestone later this year with the completion of the 300th of 600 trainsets, ordered by the Passenger Rail... 


The TAL on the tracks
Locally manufactured locomotive ideal to power Africa’s rail future
25th July 2025 By: Devina Haripersad

State-owned rolling stock manufacturer Transnet Engineering (TE) has renewed its efforts to promote its locally designed and built Trans Africa Locomotive (TAL), positioning it as a flagship... 


Members of the team
TE’s re-engineering effort to return standing CRRC fleet back to service
25th July 2025 By: Devina Haripersad

After years of legal battles, broken contracts and idling locomotives, a team of  specialists from Transnet Engineering (TE) have started to restore dozens of high-powered locomotives, supplied by... 


ROLLON SYSTEM
The integration of Rollon’s Compact Rail system into the maintenance of locomotives demonstrates how advances in mechanical design deliver significant benefits across safety, cost and efficiency in the railways sector
Linear motion systems boost railway maintenance safety and efficiency
25th July 2025

Industrial solutions provider BMG has expanded its portfolio of motion control technologies with the introduction of Rollon linear guidance systems, designed for high efficiency in many industries,... 


Transnet insists it is making ‘considerable progress’ on reforms following business criticism
Transnet insists it is making ‘considerable progress’ on reforms following business criticism
22nd July 2025 By: Terence Creamer

State-owned freight logistics group Transnet insists that it has made “considerable progress” in implementing reforms in line with government policy changes. It also argues that government... 


transnet freight train
Transnet credit rating downgrade a ‘damning indictment’ of the utility’s failed leadership, Mavuso says
21st July 2025 By: Darren Parker

The decision by ratings agency S&P Global to downgrade State-owned enterprise (SOE) Transnet’s credit rating was disappointing news for those in business eager to see the utility performing better,... 


An image of the Gautrain
Numsa signs wage agreement with Gautrain
17th July 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has signed a new wage agreement for one year with the Bombela Operating Company (BOC), the entity which manages the Gautrain. The... 


Magazine cover image
Gautrain Management Agency’s shift in focus leads to overhaul in extension plan
11th July 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) is pursuing a new strategy to play a broader role in the country’s transport ecosystem and align to the province’s 25-year Integrated Transport Master Plan... 


Transport Minister Barbara Creecy
Creecy reveals targets, highlights progress on transport sector turnaround
7th July 2025 By: Darren Parker

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has outlined six targets that will guide the Department of Transport’s (DoT’s) work over the next few years to transform the passenger, freight, and aviation... 


South Africa’s freight system stabilising, but no ‘kumbaya moment’ yet 
4th July 2025 By: Irma Venter

South Africa’s efforts to restore its logistics infrastructure have seen it stabilise the system, but not yet execute a big leap forward. This was the consensus among members of a panel speaking on... 


An image of the Gautrain
Numsa warns of possible Gautrain strike amid deadlocked wage negotiations
3rd July 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Labour union the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has been granted a certificate to strike by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), after it... 


PRASA has revived 35 of its 40 corridors
South Africa set to test private sector appetite for long-distance passenger rail routes
3rd July 2025 By: Terence Creamer

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that a request for information (RFI) will be launched in July to assess the potential for private sector participation (PSP) investments in the... 


Image of African Industrialisation Services director and Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) associate professor Justin Barnes
Auto sector facing decline as SA’s infrastructure decay comes home to roost – Barnes
3rd July 2025 By: Irma Venter

The fundamental challenge many vehicle assembly operations in South Africa currently face is that their operations are becoming less vital to the success of their parent companies. This is linked... 


Transport Minister Barbara Creecy
Procurement of private rail and port infrastructure to be launched in Aug
2nd July 2025 By: Terence Creamer

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed that Transnet will issue requests for proposals (RFPs) from the end of August to begin the formal procurement process for private sector participation... 


Private sector eyes freight logistics shake-up amid calls for immediate investment
Private sector eyes freight logistics shake-up amid calls for immediate investment
27th June 2025

Much interest is being shown in relation to the opening of the freight logistics system to private sector participation. But there is also an urgent need for immediate investment. Engineering News... 


Transport Minister Barbara Creecy
BFI funding crucial for unlocking short-term freight investments while long-gestation private projects evolve
24th June 2025 By: Terence Creamer

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has underlined the importance of the National Treasury’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure in helping Transnet to fund the near-term rail and port investments... 


Grindrod CEO Xolani Mbambo
Mbambo to step down as Grindrod CEO
19th June 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

JSE-listed Grindrod has started the process to identify a successor to CEO and executive director Xolani Mbambo, who will be stepping down after a 12-year tenure with the group. He will remain... 


A PRASA train
Letter: More accurate data on PRASA passenger numbers needed
18th June 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

In this letter to Engineering News, Katharine McKenzie calls on the Department of Transport to provide more accurate information on the number of passengers that make use of the Passenger Rail... 


From left to right: Juanita Maree, Khule Duma, Theo Pappas, Jaap van der Merwe, Brenda Magqwaka and Innocentia Motau
Stabilisation in freight system, but no ‘kumbaya moment’ yet 
17th June 2025 By: Irma Venter

South Africa’s efforts to restore its logistics infrastructure have seen it stabilise the system, but not yet execute a big leap forward. This was the consensus among members of a panel speaking on... 


Transnet freight locomotives
Mavuso admonishes Transnet for capitulating to ‘unreasonable’ union demands
17th June 2025 By: Darren Parker

Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busisiwe Mavuso has said she was “astounded” to see news last week of State-owned Transnet's capitulation to unions’ strike threats, eventually agreeing to give... 


ship at sea
Transport sector shows signs of stabilisation amid ongoing structural challenges – index
13th June 2025 By: Darren Parker

After declining for eight consecutive months to reach a revised index level of 113.5 in January, the lowest level since December 2022, the Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (TFI) increased in each... 


A Transnet locomotive
South Africa to give Transnet more guarantees to settle debt
13th June 2025 By: Bloomberg

South Africa’s government said it will give Transnet additional guarantees so the troubled State ports and freight railway operator can settle all its debt that falls due and execute its... 


Cape Town rail passenger trips to climb to 343 000 a day by April next year, says Creecy
13th June 2025 By: Irma Venter

Rail passenger numbers in Cape Town reached 53 000 people a day in April last year, says Transport Minister Barbara Creecy. With the reopening of Philippi and Nolungile stations, this number has... 


Image of TE manufacturing and ports GM Tshwanelo Tswai.
Transnet Engineering sets R1bn turnover goal for burgeoning maritime division
11th June 2025 By: Irma Venter

Transnet operating division Transnet Engineering (TE) aims for its relatively new maritime business to reach R1-billion in turnover in the next eight to ten years, says TE manufacturing and ports... 


The Port of Durban
South Africa wins $1.5bn World Bank infrastructure loan
10th June 2025 By: Bloomberg

The World Bank has approved a $1.5-billion loan to support structural reforms aimed at boosting South Africa’s infrastructure. The Washington-based lender said in a statement the operation will... 


Equipment in use at the Lobito port
AFC to sign $320m deal with Italy to bolster Lobito funding
6th June 2025 By: Reuters

Africa Finance Corporation, a Lagos-based continental financier, will sign a deal with Italy for $320-million financing partly for a new transport corridor linking critical mineral fields with an... 


Transport Minister Barbara Creecy
DoT confirms 162 responses to RFI for private freight rail and port projects
5th June 2025 By: Terence Creamer

The Department of Transport (DoT) reports that it received 162 formal responses to a request for information (RFI) launched by Minister Barbara Creecy in March to test the market appetite for... 


Barbara Creecy
Cape Town rail passenger trips to climb to 343 000 a day by April next year, says Creecy
30th May 2025 By: Irma Venter

Passenger numbers in Cape Town reached 53 000 people a day in April last year, says Transport Minister Barbara Creecy. With the reopening of Philippi and Nolungile stations, this number has now... 


Citrus sector welcomes Transnet’s R51bn guarantee, private participation momentum
27th May 2025 By: Schalk Burger

Industry organisation the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) welcomes the government authorisation of a R51-billion guarantee facility for State-owned Transnet, and the progress... 


Transport Minister Barbara Creecy
Transnet welcomes R51bn guarantee facility
22nd May 2025 By: Sabrina Jardim

State-owned Transnet has welcomed Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s announcement of a R51-billion government guarantee facility to support its sustainability and long-term growth. Creecy this... 


A Transnet port operation
South Africa arbiter proposes more pay to avoid logistics strike
21st May 2025 By: Bloomberg

A third-party arbiter proposed a higher wage offer to South Africa’s State-owned ports and rail company and its unions in a bid to stave off a potential strike by thousands of logistics workers.... 


truck on road
Transport sector faces major BBBEE overhaul with tougher compliance rules
16th May 2025 By: Darren Parker

The integrated transport sector is set to face some of the most stringent broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) requirements in the country, following proposals unveiled by Integrated... 


Transport Minister Barbara Creecy
Creecy confirms passenger rail RFI imminent
13th May 2025 By: Marleny Arnoldi

As rail reforms continue to take shape in South Africa, particularly with Transnet having published a Network Statement paving the way for private operators in December last year, Transport... 


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Magazine round up | 25 July 2025
Magazine round up | 25 July 2025
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