SA’s Rail and Port Infrastructure
By Nkosana Khumalo
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy launched a Request for Information (RFI) on Sunday as part of the government’s effort to tackle South Africa’s struggling rail and port infrastructure. The initiative, rolled out on 23 March 2025, aims to pave the way for private-sector participation to breathe new life into a system battered by theft, vandalism, and years of under-investment. With economic growth and trade on the line, Creecy stressed that this move is a game-changer for the country’s logistics network.
Private Sector to Play Key Role in Rail and Port Revival
The RFI marks the start of a bold plan to fix South Africa’s crumbling rail and port systems, which have long been a headache for businesses and the economy. Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria, Creecy explained that the initial focus would be on critical freight corridors, including the coal line, the manganese line, the iron ore line, and their linked ports—Richards Bay, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth (PE), and Saldanha Bay. The container line, handling 65% of non-core freight, is also in the spotlight.
“This includes the port, container and automotive port terminals, back-of-port arrangements, and railway and inland terminals for the Gauteng—Durban port, Gauteng Eastern Cape (East London, Port Elizabeth, Ngqura), and Gauteng – Western Cape (Cape Town) corridors,” Creecy said. These routes are vital for moving goods like coal, manganese, and iron ore to export hubs, supporting industries that keep South Africa’s economy ticking.
The minister didn’t shy away from the harsh reality. “As you are all aware, South Africa’s rail and port infrastructure faces substantial challenges, including declining performance, theft and vandalism, under-investment, and operational inefficiencies. All these hinder trade and economic growth,” she said. Years of neglect have left state-owned Transnet struggling, with coal exports dropping to a 30-year low of 48 million tons in 2023, according to Bloomberg, and iron ore shipments hitting a decade-low.
Why Private Sector Help Matters
Creecy pointed out that government funds alone can’t fix the mess. “The limited availability of state resources to fund infrastructure development and address backlogs has intensified these challenges, severely restricting the ability of state-owned entities to fulfil their critical mandates,” she said. That’s where the private sector comes in. Companies like Glencore and Anglo American have already shown interest, with negotiations underway to pump billions into Transnet’s rail network, as reported by SupplyChainBrain in January 2025.
The RFI isn’t a formal tender process but a way to gather ideas and insights from the market. “These are not formal procurement processes in themselves but a mechanism to understand and source information from the market,” Creecy explained. The response from businesses has been overwhelming, with Transnet and the Department of Transport (DoT) receiving numerous proposals offering cash, skills, and know-how to get the system back on track.
This isn’t the first time private-sector involvement has been mooted. In December 2024, Transnet’s freight-rail division hauled 50.5 million tons of coal to Richards Bay Coal Terminal—an improvement but still short of targets, per Bloomberg. Creecy’s RFI builds on this momentum, aiming to formalise partnerships that could see rail lines and ports modernised over the next five years.
A 21st-Century Transport System in Sight
For Creecy, the RFI is more than just a quick fix—it’s a stepping stone to a world-class transport network. “It represents a pivotal step to building a 21st-century transport system to strengthen industrial competitiveness, deepen regional integration, and drive inclusive economic growth,” she said. The plan is to pinpoint the biggest problems—like cable theft and ageing tracks—and craft smart, long-term solutions.
The minister also promised to keep everyone in the loop. “It will enable us to articulate the challenges in a structured and coherent way, clearly defining their scope, context, and impact to inform the development of focused, strategic, and sustainable solutions. In this regard, the DoT will ensure that the views of a range of other stakeholders are brought into the deliberations, including organised labour,” she added. This nod to unions shows the government’s intent to balance private investment with public interest.
Recent news backs up the urgency. Reuters reported on 24 January 2025 that coal exports from Richards Bay rose 10% to 52.08 million tons in 2024—the highest in three years—thanks to slight rail improvements. But experts say much more is needed to hit the 60-million-ton capacity Transnet once boasted.
What’s at Stake for SA’s Economy?
South Africa’s rail and port woes have hit hard. The coal line from Mpumalanga to Richards Bay, the manganese route from the Northern Cape to Ngqura, and the iron ore corridor to Saldanha Bay are lifelines for miners. When they falter, exports suffer, jobs vanish, and the rand weakens. The container lines linking Gauteng to Durban, Cape Town, and the Eastern Cape are just as crucial, moving everything from cars to consumer goods.
Take Saldanha Bay, for example. In a January 2025 interview with Business Focus, Creecy highlighted its potential: “Historically, Saldanha was a steel-producing hub. With the green hydrogen roadmap, it could become a centre for green steel production.” Fixing the rail line from Sishen could unlock this vision, boosting exports and creating jobs.
Meanwhile, Engineering News noted on 20 March 2025 that Creecy’s RFI is testing market appetite for investments across these corridors. An interim Private Sector Participation (PSP) unit within the DoT is already working on contracts to make it happen.
Challenges and Hope Ahead
The road to recovery won’t be easy. Transnet estimates repairing all its tracks—including those for manganese and containers—will cost R64.5 billion over five years (SupplyChainBrain, January 2025). Theft and vandalism remain stubborn problems, with cables and equipment stolen faster than they can be replaced. Yet, there’s hope. The DoT’s structured approach, coupled with private-sector muscle, could turn the tide.
Creecy’s track record adds weight to the plan. Since taking over as Transport Minister in June 2024, she’s made stabilising the system her mission, as reported by Daily Maverick. Her latest move shows she’s not just talking—she’s acting.
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