TRANSNET Rail Infrastructure Manager (Trim), South Africa, has concluded access agreements with the 11 operators that have been allocated paths on the South African rail network in competition with incumbent Transnet Freight Rail.
The new operators are: ARC South Africa (ARC), The Railway Corporation, TLD Marine, Menar Ports & Rail, Sharp Logistics, Barberry, Grindrod, Minrail, Iracema, Motheo Logistics, and Interlinks.
The operators will transport coal, manganese, containers, fuel, and general freight, which Trim says will drive diversification and competitiveness across the network.
The agreements are expected to add 24 million tonnes of freight traffic to the network, with the potential to increase this to 52 million tonnes over the next five years. This compares with the 160.1 million tonnes which Transnet Freight Rail carried in 2025. The national objective is to increase freight traffic to 250 million tonnes by 2030.
“This milestone represents more than just slot allocation, it signals the creation of a functional and competitive rail marketplace,” says Trim CEO, Moshe Motlohi. “We have moved from policy design to practical implementation, enabling real private-sector participation and investment in rail.”
Trim introduced its Ad Hoc Slot (train path) application process in December 2025, which enables rapid allocation of rail capacity outside the annual cycle. Trim says this has already unlocked new opportunities, including a new short-haul service which is expected to start this month between Cato Ridge and Durban aimed at reducing road congestion in the port.
“The Ad Hoc Slot process is a game-changer,” Motlohi says. “It allows operators to respond to real-time demand while maintaining the highest standards of safety, transparency, and efficiency.”
Some operators are expected to launch their new services before the end of 2026, while the remainder should be operational next year.
