Sasol, a global chemicals and energy company, and Transnet Freight Rail (TFR), the division of Transnet SOC Ltd. responsible for South Africa's railway, ports, and pipeline infrastructure, have entered into a public-private partnership aimed at improving the reliability of rail transport in the country. This partnership, announced at the end of February 2024, has been signed for a period of five years.
TFR will move ammonia from Sasol's facilities in Secunda and Sasolburg to various customers using a fleet of 128 dedicated ammonia tankers. The supply of ammonia is needed as a crucial material for the agriculture, mining, and chemical sectors.
TFR moves various commodities including mining, agricultural, and manufacturing goods, among others. It is recognized for its capabilities in heavy haul rail operations, especially for coal, iron ore, and more recently, manganese.
The partnership is expected to lead to increased haul volumes and, as a result, additional revenue generation from both the transportation services and the maintenance activities funded by Sasol.
Sasol Chemicals, a division of Sasol, is a major producer of ammonia, manufacturing over 540,000 tonnes annually. This ammonia is a key ingredient in the production of various fertilisers and industrial chemicals, serving a wide range of industries including agriculture, mining, textiles, and metalworking.
