South Africa’s Transnet is working to clear a jam of trucks carrying coal and other commodities at its Richards Bay port after a train derailment on the main railway forced more product onto the road, according to Reuters.
A train carrying export coal derailed on November 8 on Transnet’s North Corridor, causing the partial closure of the railway that is also used to transport ferrochrome and other commodities.
The logistics firm said the number of trucks heading to Richards Bay port has increased, and it has activated contingency plans to manage the congestion. Demand for South African coal has surged this year after the European Union banned imports from Russia. But insufficient rail capacity and poorly maintained infrastructure have been hurdles for mining companies seeking to export more.
