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Container User Forum aims to be unified voice for key sector as reforms unfold
Container User Forum aims to be unified voice for key sector as reforms unfold
12th March 2026 By: Terence Creamer

A new industry organisation has been formally launched in a bid to facilitate greater collaboration among South Africa’s container stakeholders, as well as to provide a unified voice as the freight... 


TRIM CEO Moshe Motlohi
TRIM invites private firms to bid to operate three rail sidings for ten years
12th March 2026 By: Terence Creamer

South Africa’s Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) has initiated a process for private-sector entities to bid to operate and invest in three siding facilities for a period of ten years in... 


Francois Nortjé
Opinion: Correcting the structural imbalance in South Africa’s primary trade, transport and tourism corridor
12th March 2026

In this article, Port of Gauteng's Francois Nortjé writes that South Africa's most important economic transport corridor from Durban to Gauteng must work for both freight and passenger travel and... 


Image of Grindrod CEO Kwazi Mabaso
Grindrod eyes Matola, Richards Bay growth opportunities as it completes strategic reset
6th March 2026 By: Irma Venter

Grindrod has completed its strategic reset and the logistics group is now moving into “disciplined growth execution”, says new CEO Kwazi Mabaso. Delivering the financial results for the year ended... 


An image of a Transnet train
Outdated finance frameworks, legislative asymmetry stalling rail reform
6th March 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

Despite progress in South Africa’s rail reform policy and regulation, outdated financial frameworks and unresolved structural legislative imbalances hamper rail infrastructure development in South... 


An image of a rail yard
Rail reform puts investment on track
6th March 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

Recent regulatory developments and proposed reforms in South Africa’s freight rail sector are having a meaningful influence on investor confidence by unlocking new opportunities while also... 


A Gautrain passing through a station
Gautrain to continue operating under PPP model beyond 2026
4th March 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) have confirmed that the Gautrain system will continue to operate under the public-private partnership (PPP)... 


A welder working at Traxtion's rail workshop in Rosslyn
Rail localisation study launched as public and private train operators gear up to meet 250Mt target
26th February 2026 By: Terence Creamer

A study has been launched to assess South Africa’s existing railways manufacturing capacity and capability and to make recommendations on how policy and procurement can be leveraged to bolster... 


A railway line
Uganda wants to link new railway line to Tanzania, opening up new export route
23rd February 2026 By: Reuters

Uganda wants to link a new railway line it is building to one under construction in neighbouring Tanzania, a government document seen by Reuters showed, potentially opening up a new export route... 


Economic reforms in focus
Economic reforms in focus
20th February 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Engineering News editor Terence Creamer talks about the recent attention being given to South Africa’s economic reforms. 


Port of Richards Bay
Creecy says RFPs for three big rail and port concessions on track to be issued in 2026
19th February 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy reports that Transnet is preparing to release request for proposal (RFP) documents for three large private sector participation (PSP) projects in 2026, including... 


Michelle Phillips, seated second from the left
Transnet is working to solve challenges as it transitions to next phase – Phillips
13th February 2026 By: Irma Venter

The current recovery process at Transnet must be seen as a transition period, with the rail and port entity’s long-term goal being to reach a state of reliability and sustainability, says Transnet... 


Despite poor Q4, air, rail and sea freight subsectors on the mend as road freight loses ground – Ctrack index shows
13th February 2026 By: Irma Venter

After gains in seven of the nine months to September last year, the Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (Ctrack TFI) lost momentum in the fourth quarter (Q4), ending the year at an index level of... 


Transnet CEO Advocate Michelle Phillips
Rail volumes rising but private impetus needed to reach 250Mt target
9th February 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Transnet CEO Advocate Michelle Phillips insists there will be no turning back from current yearly railed volume levels of above 160-million tons. But she has also reiterated that private sector... 


Cobalt and copper sourced from DRC artisanal miners to be transported on Lobito corridor
Cobalt and copper sourced from DRC artisanal miners to be transported on Lobito corridor
9th February 2026 By: Terence Creamer

In a milestone for the Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR), which links the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to a deep-water port in Angola, Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) and Trafigura have... 


Despite poor Q4, air, rail and sea freight on the mend as road freight loses ground – Ctrack index
Despite poor Q4, air, rail and sea freight on the mend as road freight loses ground – Ctrack index
3rd February 2026 By: Irma Venter

After gains in seven of the nine months to September last year, the Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (Ctrack TFI) lost momentum in the fourth quarter (Q4), ending the year at an index level of... 


President Cyril Ramaphosa
Creation of ‘competitive’ electricity, logistics markets key next priorities for Government Business Partnership
28th January 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Implementing reforms in the electricity and logistics sectors to facilitate the establishment of “commercially viable, competitive markets in these network industries”, has been identified as a key... 


Railway lines
Railway industry body is focusing on skills development for the sector
26th January 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The local railway manufacturing, maintenance, engineering and supply industry representative body, the Africa Rail Industry Association (ARIA), has announced an acceleration of its localisation... 


$753m financing package secured for the Lobito Atlantic Railway concession
5th January 2026 By: Schalk Burger

The 1 300 km Lobito Atlantic Railway connecting the Port of Lobito on Angola’s Atlantic coast to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) border to strengthen regional integration and improve access... 


At the signing ceremony (left to right): Ben Black, CEO DFC, Manuel Mota, deputy CEO Mota-Engil, Richard Holtman, CEO Trafigura, and Mpho Mokwele, group executive for transacting at the DBSA.
DBSA says $200m Lobito loan in line with regional integration strategy
18th December 2025 By: Terence Creamer

South Africa’s State-owned Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) says its $200-million funding contribution to a larger $753-million loan agreement with the Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR)... 


US agency, consortium sign $553m loan for Angola railway revamp
US agency, consortium sign $553m loan for Angola railway revamp
18th December 2025 By: Reuters

The US International Development Finance Corporation signed a $553-million loan with a consortium of firms on Wednesday for the refurbishment of an Angolan railway line - part of the Lobito... 


An image of Transnet port operations
Transnet maintains improved performance in interim results
15th December 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

State-owned logistics group Transnet says its financial performance for the six months ended September 30 was positive, driven by increased volumes across the business, resulting in increased... 


The above image depicts ARIA CEO Mesela Nhlapo
Localisation could create sustainable development, boost industry capacity
12th December 2025

Following the recent approval of private access to State-owned freight company Transnet’s freight rail network and the allocation of 41 routes to 11 train operating companies (TOCs), the country is... 


Traxtion invests R3.4bn in rolling stock
Traxtion invests R3.4bn in rolling stock
5th December 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses rail company Traxtion's announcement of a R3.4-billion investment in locomotives and wagons to begin operating on South Africa’s mainline freight... 


VSL's new facility in Gqeberha
VSL Manufacturing opens new, R750m facility to supply Isuzu assembly plant
4th December 2025 By: Irma Venter

VSL Manufacturing (VSL) has started operations at its new, R750-million manufacturing facility adjacent to the Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) assembly plant in Struandale, Gqeberha. VSL is a... 


Gibb CEO Vishaal Lutchman
Engineering execs warn that policy failures, weak accountability are deepening the infrastructure crisis
2nd December 2025 By: Darren Parker

South Africa’s infrastructure recovery will continue to stall unless government, industry and professional bodies shift from problem-identification to concrete implementation, engineering... 


Traxtion CEO James Holley
R3.4bn investment positions Traxtion for 2026 entry onto South Africa’s freight rail network
2nd December 2025 By: Terence Creamer

Private railways company Traxtion expects to begin operating on South Africa’s mainline network by the third quarter of 2026 after concluding a R3.4-billion rolling stock investment programme. The... 


Iron-ore
AfDB, EIB lend Mauritania $275m for railway upgrade
28th November 2025 By: Reuters

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a financing package worth $275-million to help Mauritania upgrade its main railway corridor. Under the agreement,... 


Cape Town tables business plan to take over PRASA operations
28th November 2025 By: Irma Venter

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says Cape Town aims to be the first South African city to take over the management of its passenger rail system. This follows the tabling of a Rail Business Plan,... 


Transnet, Nedbank reach R600m settlement in dispute dating back to 2015
26th November 2025 By: Marleny Arnoldi

State-owned freight utility Transnet confirms that it has reached a commercial settlement agreement with financial services provider Nedbank in a protracted legal dispute between the parties.... 


An image of the delegation
AFD to support Transnet’s decarbonisation goals with R6bn loan
25th November 2025 By: Sabrina Jardim

The French Development Agency (AFD) has agreed to provide State-owned Transnet with a €300-million, or R6-billion, loan to help achieve its decarbonisation objectives. Transnet and the AFD on the... 


Transnet's 200th Traxx 23E locomotive
Transnet celebrates 200th modern locomotive produced in fleet renewal programme
21st November 2025 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Transnet has reached a significant milestone in its modernisation programme with the two-hundredth Traxx 23E locomotive having rolled off the assembly line at Transnet Engineering’s project site in... 


Rail tracks
China signs agreement to revamp TAZARA railway in Zambia
21st November 2025 By: Reuters

China signed a $1.4-billion agreement with Zambia and Tanzania on Thursday to modernise the TAZARA railway linking landlocked Zambia to the Indian Ocean. The railway, financed by China in the 1970s... 


Transport Minister Barbara Creecy (front right) and delegates at the Women in Rail South Africa launch event
Rail sector opens doors for women as Creecy cites new opportunities
17th November 2025 By: Devina Haripersad

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy urged women in the rail sector to prepare for a series of upcoming rail projects that she said would create new opportunities for companies and professionals who... 


RFI process launched to attract private investment in commuter, long-distance passenger rail
14th November 2025 By: Irma Venter

The Department of Transport (DoT) has kickstarted a request-for-information (RFI) process for private companies interested in investing in South Africa’s passenger-rail system. Speaking at a media... 


A rendering of the proposed Insimbi Ridge Precinct project
Insimbi Ridge Precinct to build new inland staging, intermodal capacity for N3 corridor
11th November 2025 By: Schalk Burger

Privately funded freight-corridor hub the Insimbi Ridge Precinct, which will introduce new inland staging and intermodal capacity, in Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal, that will directly relieve pressure... 


Cape Town tables business plan to take over PRASA operations
Cape Town tables business plan to take over PRASA operations
10th November 2025 By: Irma Venter

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says Cape Town aims to be the first South African city to take over the management of its passenger rail system. This follows the tabling of a Rail Business Plan,... 


An image of Road Freight Association CEO Gavin Kelly
RFA welcomes lower fuel prices, but says logistics costs still too high
7th November 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Transport costs are starting to decrease, and the benefits of this will eventually benefit consumers, Road Freight Association (RFA) CEO Gavin Kelly indicates. On November 5, the cost of diesel for... 


Grindrod names insider as CEO
7th November 2025

Grindrod has announced that Kwazi Mabaso will succeed Xolani Mbambo as the JSE-listed group’s new CEO from December 1. Mabaso comes from within Grindrod’s ranks, where he serves as the CEO of... 


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6th March 2026 By: Martin Creamer
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