FREIGHT FORWARDING

Challenges to Railway Freight in South Africa

Published 3 months ago 

on August 28, 2023

By SCN Africa

If South Africa’s supply chain were a body, the railways would undoubtedly be its veins weaving through its vast landscapes and industries, moving goods, and connecting cities.

But just like any old system, our rails have their quirks and hiccups. While there are many modes of freight transportation in South Africa, freight by rail is a critical component of the country’s local supply chain. Let us chat about the twists and turns of our beloved railway system.

Main Challenges to Railway Freight Logistics in South Africa

1. Ageing Fleets

Remember that vintage camera you used to own? Beautiful, but maybe not the most efficient or practical in today’s world. Similarly, our railway tracks and equipment have seen better days.

Upgrades are essential, and nostalgia will not fix worn-out rails. What the railway industry in South Africa needs urgently needs is investment in its infrastructure.

2. Security Issues

Imagine prepping a cake and then misplacing the main ingredient. In South Africa, we have got security challenges to our railway network such as cable theft, vandalism, and track theft.

One of these problems alone is a serious challenge to the railway network. However, in South Africa, we have all of these problems happening at the same time.

These issues effectively reduce the routes that can be travelled and the volume of cargo that can be transported via our railway networks.

3. The knock-on effect of safety concerns

The trucking industry is one example of a freight industry that has stepped in to take over many of the duties that South Africa’s railways would traditionally perform.

This means the price of goods can vary with the cost of fuel, it also means more wear and tear on our roads from the increased volume of heavy vehicle traffic.

4. Less Cargo Arriving by Rail

According to statssa.gov.za , from 2021 to the latest 2023 data land-based freight cargo specifically by rail dropped from transporting 45 131 tons of cargo to 38 316 tons of cargo per month. At the same time, road-based freight increased from 166 975 tons to 218 208 tons over the same period supporting the notion the trucking industry has filled the gap left by declining rail transportation industry.

This data suggests either rail freight is not able to transport the cargo or that fewer suppliers are choosing to ship their cargo via rail.

Signs point to the former being true as South Africa continues to face a multitude of challenges to it’s rail freight sector. These challenges are further outlined by sanews.gov.za.

5. Tight Pockets

If railways were a business (and they are), they have been running on a tight budget. More investment would mean a more robust railway system, and thus a stronger more stable transportation system overall to rely upon.

Special investment in security measures is needed to safeguard the railways themselves as thieves are known to target the infrastructure.

6. The Not-So-Connected Dots

While major routes are like buzzing highways, some areas feel more like neglected alleyways. More routes mean more reach! Once we have safeguarded our railways it will be time to expand our network.

This would allow South Africa to move cargo more efficiently to and from remote parts of the country reducing waiting times, damage to our roads, end consumer costs and give the supply chain a greater reach inside South Africa.

7. Roadside Rivalry

Trucks on our roads? They’re like the popular kids in the transport class. They’re fast and flexible, and they’re giving our trains tough competition. However, this is a by-product of the rail network not being able to transport cargo to meet demand.

8. Tangled in Red Tape

We all know that feeling of being bogged down by too much paperwork. Railways, too, get slowed down by some cumbersome regulations. Time for a spring clean, maybe?

9. A Touch of Tech

In an age of smartphones and smart homes, our railways could do with some tech-love. Real-time updates and scheduling tools. This can be achieved by identifying what types of transport management systems these trains would benefit most from the most.

10. Counting Coins

Running a railway network is not cheap. And like many sectors, our railways face financial speed bumps that make some journeys a tad challenging.

In Conclusion

South Africa’s railway network is like a classic novel filled with tales of grandeur, challenges, and undying spirit. To turn the page to a brighter chapter, a blend of investment, innovation, safeguarding and an application of modern tech is what we need.