South African coal export rail line partially reopens after derailment
2021-07-13 10:41:38 [Print]
One of the main coal export rail lines to South Africa's Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) has partially reopened following a 31-car derailment on 3 July, but the other main line remains closed.
The 31 loaded coal cars of the 200-wagon train derailed at Dassieshoogte near Vryheid at 12:25 local time on 3 July, resulting in both export lines being closed.
Line 2 reopened at 16:10 local time on July 4, but line 1 is still shut while recovery and repairs take place, rail operator Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) said on July 5.
The timing of the reopening of line 1 will be communicated in due course, while investigations to determine the root cause of the derailment are continuing, TFR said.
The rail transport disruption means South African coal exports are on track to fall to their lowest annual total in at least a decade, based on the pace of exports so far this year.
The 31 loaded coal cars of the 200-wagon train derailed at Dassieshoogte near Vryheid at 12:25 local time on 3 July, resulting in both export lines being closed.
Line 2 reopened at 16:10 local time on July 4, but line 1 is still shut while recovery and repairs take place, rail operator Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) said on July 5.
The timing of the reopening of line 1 will be communicated in due course, while investigations to determine the root cause of the derailment are continuing, TFR said.
The rail transport disruption means South African coal exports are on track to fall to their lowest annual total in at least a decade, based on the pace of exports so far this year.
