Potential heavy haul rail line to challenge #Transnet monopoly…
A heavy haul rail network stretching from Botswana, through Zimbabwe and into Mozambique and Malawi could prove a game changer in regional logistics and exports and challenge South Africa’s dominance in this area.
The proposed 1 100km southern African rail network, which has many links to it, will connect to Ponta Techobanine, a proposed deep-sea port in Mozambique that could compete with the congested Richards Bay Coal Terminal, presently used as the main port for exporting commodities from Âsouthern Africa.
The project, set to begin in 2012, is expected to cost roughly $7-Âbillion and will take at least 10 years to build, according to a Bloomberg report. The main funders, says a commercial bank, are the World Bank’s financing arm, the International Finance Corporation, the European Investment Bank, mining companies and the governments of those southern African countries.
Global mining giants such as Rio Tinto and Vale have already set up shop in countries such as Mozambique and are the main funders of rail and port networks there.
Come to Africa Rail 2012 to find out more about this project and position your business as a supplier to the project – contact Samantha.pickard@terrapinn.com to find out more…
Ref: TNT News
