TFR confirms July coal shutdown dates

Market: Coal
11/07/22

South African rail operator Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has confirmed that annual maintenance to its coal export line will take place between 12-22 July.

The North Corridor — the main route for hauling coal from mining regions to the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) — will be closed for this period, during which shippers will have to load vessels from stocks held at RBCT.

TFR had previously earmarked 12-21 July to carry out the work.

"The maintenance and repair work will cover Richards Bay to Pyramid South with key maintenance activities taking place in Richards Bay to Ermelo section, and DC section between Ermelo and the mines as well as the Pyramid section," TFR said on 8 July.

"Plans are at an advanced stage for the successful execution of this mega-project aimed at uplifting a total of 16 temporary speed restrictions equating to 34km of railway track. This project will see the restoration of eight slots in the network for the North Corridor."

RBCT inventories were up by 10pc on the year at 3.27mn t on 4 July.

Last year's shutdown was on 20-26 July, with TFR having postponed the work for a week in response to civil unrest.

TFR carried out two maintenance spells last year — one in January and one in July — with the January work postponed from mid-2020 because of Covid-19 disruptions.

As such, January coal exports from South Africa slumped by 46pc on the year to 3.83mn t, while July exports totalled 5.22mn t.

Exports in July — typically the month when the shutdown takes place — averaged 5.3mn t in 2017-21. This compares with average monthly exports over the same period excluding July of 6.5mn t.

By Jack Elliott

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