CoaLink
The Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) is the second largest coal export facility in the world and is to expand its capacity to accommodate higher coal exports. The CoaLink railway line between Witbank and Richards Bay plays an important role in the successful operation of RBCT. The CoaLink upgrade project is part of Transnet’s Main Line Locomotive Investment Program that seeks to optimise the operation of the CoaLink railway line in support of the expansion of RBCT.
Murray & Roberts subsidiary, Union Carriage and Wagon, through The UCW Partnership (UCWP) and with Mitsui African Railway Solutions and Toshiba as its partners, is contracted to supply new locomotives for the CoaLink corridor. The CoaLink upgrade project will see 110 class 19E dual voltage electric locomotives made available to Transnet Freight Rail by 2011. UCWP is responsible for the overall mechanical design, systems integration, fabrication and assembly of the locomotives. Toshiba will contribute the design, development and supply of the electrical propulsion equipment. The first consignment of six locomotives has undergone mainline commissioning tests and will be declared ready for service in the new financial year.
OREX
A dramatic increase in demand for South African iron ore in recent years compelled Transnet to expand its locomotive fleet to facilitate higher volumes of iron ore exports. In 2007, Transnet awarded UCWP, with its partners Mitsui and Toshiba, the OREX project to supply 44 new 15E electric locomotives for the iron ore rail link from Sishen to Saldanha. The first consignment of six locomotives will be made available to Transnet after commissioning in the first quarter of 2010.
