State owned freight utility Transnet’s Port Terminals operating division has taken over operations at an inland terminal for the loading and handling of manganese at Lohatlha, in the Northern Cape.
The terminal is situated about 100 km from South Africa’s manganese belt in the Hotazel area and is specially designed to service emerging miners. It handles about 1.8-million tons of manganese a year, which could increase to 2-million tons at full capacity.
The move to operate an inland terminal will position Transnet to strategically reconfigure one of the critical logistics channels by allowing emerging miners to pile and load manganese onto rail instead of road to the ports.
Also read: Transnet to expand to other parts of the continent
Transnet took control of the terminal at the start of July, following five years of private operation by SAFreight Logistics. Transet also operates two other inland terminals – the Pendoring multipurpose terminal in Brits, and the Newcon terminal in Newcastle.
According to Transnet chief business development officer Gert de Beer Operating cargo aggregation and consolidation for effective rail transfer, not only in coastal ports but also in inland terminals, demonstrates Transnet’s ability to apply its core competencies innovatively as the company continue to connect the region.
About Transnet Port Terminals
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is South Africa’s leading terminal operator responsible for loading and offloading cargo aboard vessels calling the seven South African ports. Boasting a staff compliment of over 9000 across 16 cargo terminals, TPT’s operations target four major market sectors namely: automotive, containers, bulk and break bulk.
