daniel chigunweSouth Africa increased coal exports from the biggest terminal on the continent for the first time in seven years after an improvement in rail shipments by state-owned logistics company Transnet.
Miners exported 52.1 million tons from Richards Bay Coal Terminal in 2024, a 10 percent rise from the previous year, according to a company presentation. The shipments roughly match the amount of coal that reaches the facility by rail from inland mines.
Transnet missed a goal of getting 60 million tons of coal to RBCT in 2024. Still, the uptick indicates measures the rail operator has put in place to deal with a range of issues from sabotage to locomotive shortages are starting to take effect. The terminal has budgeted for 55 million tons this year.
South African coal miners Thungela Resources and Exxaro Resources last month each touted industry initiatives that are improving rail performance and anticipate greater gains.
An internal report seen by Bloomberg in August forecast repairs boosting operations to record levels by 2028. — Bloomberg.
Bongani Ndlovu