South Africa faces serious challenges in rail safety. The country is struggling with significant operational hurdles due to weaknesses in its rail infrastructure, vandalism, theft and security issues. The 278 derailments and 687 collisions reported last year show how dangerous the railway has become. The South African Rail Safety Regulator (RSR) says safety risks are having a negative impact on railway performance, particularly in freight transport.
Impact of Safety Issues on Railway Performance
Rail safety issues in South Africa are particularly hard hit by theft and vandalism. Criminals target overhead wires and railway components to sell as scrap. Such crimes have a major impact on railway reliability and efficiency. In 2023-24, safety-related incidents fell from 8.643 to 7.420, while operational failures jumped to 2.496 incidents. These disruptions create an urgent need for infrastructure and safety improvements.
Safety issues in the rail sector are costly, both economically and in human terms. In 2023-24, safety-related incidents caused 85 deaths and 181 injuries. KwaZulu-Natal is the region with the highest rate of rail accidents because its major railway lines connect the ports of Durban and Richards Bay. Theft and vandalism in this region disrupt coal exports, negatively impacting the economy.
Operational Challenges at Richards Bay Coal Terminal
Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) is facing challenges with coal transportation in Richards Bay. In 2023, the Richards Bay Coal Terminal was able to export only 90 million tonnes of coal, despite its annual capacity of 48,7 million tonnes. This was the lowest export level in more than a decade. Exxaro Resources reported that only 2024 million tonnes were transported in the first eight months of 42,1, meaning they are still short of their annual target. Security issues, infrastructure deficiencies and vandalism are among the main contributing factors.
Cuts in coal exports threaten South Africa’s credibility in international trade, as it fails to meet rising demand following Europe’s ban on Russian coal. This not only hinders the country’s economic growth, but can also lead to serious losses, particularly for strategic commodities such as coal.
Searching for Solutions to South African Railway Safety Problems
Exxaro Resources identifies infrastructure failures and thefts on the railway as the biggest obstacles to consistent railway performance. The company notes that weekly train numbers for coal shipments are still low. However, while coal shipments have improved somewhat thanks to stakeholder initiatives, more steps are needed on railway safety and infrastructure improvements.
The Rail Safety Regulator (RSR) has highlighted the need for targeted reforms to improve rail safety and stabilise operations. Increased investment in safety and infrastructure, more effective management to prevent vandalism and reduce operational errors are required.
Future Strategies and Infrastructure Improvements
South Africa’s rail sector must make significant reforms to ensure a safer and more efficient transport infrastructure in the future. Regulations to increase rail safety, modernise infrastructure and strengthen security measures are critical steps to improve performance in this area. Unless the rail sector can find permanent solutions to vandalism and theft, it risks further economic losses, such as disruptions to coal exports.
Strengthening cooperation between stakeholders, increasing infrastructure investment and improving safety measures will form the cornerstones for sustainable growth in South Africa’s rail sector. The joint action of both the state and the private sector in this area is crucial to enhance the country’s competitiveness in international trade.
