Page 23 - Logistics News - June/July 2021

R AIL

Technical approval for private

rail terminal at Tambo Springs

Tambo Springs Logistics Gateway (Tambo Springs) has achieved a significant milestone with Transnet
Freight Rail approving the technical layout for a private rail terminal and private rail siding unlocking
southern Africa’s largest inland port.

he government’s support for Tambo Springs Africa’s largest intermodal
comes at a crucial time as the country needs terminal,” says Mohulatsi.
Tto unlock large infrastructure projects in “We submitted our drawings
partnership with private enterprise. It marks an and engineering of how the
important step for the overall development of this rail terminal is envisaged
next-generation inland port as the rail terminal to Transnet last month and
sits at the heart of the project. Previous plans for received approval in record time.
Transnet to develop and outsource the rail terminal to The next step in the process is
a concession were scrapped during lockdown last year obtaining the necessary Railway
when their particular concession process failed. Safety Regulator approvals.”

“This forced us back to the drawing board to According to Mohulatsi,
come up with an alternative rail solution,” says Tumi once completed, Tambo Springs
Mohulatsi, CEO of the Tambo Springs Development will have easy access to major
Tumi Mohulatsi, CEO of the Tambo
Company (TSDC), the landowner and master road and rail networks linking
Springs Development Company
developer of the project. “We are very excited about strategic seaports, the OR
(TSDC).
the approval as it sets us on course to move the Tambo International Airport and
project forward without further delay.” industries in the province. “Tambo
Springs will be equipped to meet all manufacturing,
The 607ha industrial development with bonded warehousing and distribution needs and will double
and secure zones, strategically located on the current freight logistics capacity in and out of Gauteng.
southern border of the Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni It will provide customs clearance and the benefits of a
metropolis, has been years in the making and is Special Economic Zone, offering any business with a
set to change Gauteng’s transport, logistics and footprint in the precinct major advantages.”
warehousing scene for good.
According to Mohulatsi, the development of the
According to Mohulatsi, whilst the rail consortium intermodal rail terminal is critical to the overall
failure was a considerable stumbling block, it has success of the project. It will also ensure that
since been overcome and the project is back on track. current and future container traffic is efficiently
“The project’s intermodal rail terminal remains a and appropriately serviced on rail, alleviating the L O GI S T I CS NEWS
key focus, and our decision to develop it privately existing and projected pressure on the national road
showcases our commitment to delivering sub-Saharan infrastructure. •

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