Overview
International Business was established at the same time as the new business model for accounting separation and the establishment of customer-facing business units were established.
The unit aims to contribute to achieving the goals of the overall Freight Rail Market Demand Strategy and in particular the company strategic intent of enabling regional integration.
The Transnet objectives are:
- Grow footprint in the regional markets in order to drive integration in the freight system to stimulate inter-regional trade and lower transport costs
- Support NEPAD regional integration agenda
- Promote the export of locomotives and wagons
- Grow transhipment and over border volumes
- Attract students from the regions to Transnet’s various schools
The plan should be viewed as an evolving and dynamic plan that will be refined in cooperation with the Group Africa Strategy that is currently being developed.
This Strategic and Business Plan document for International Business describes the business environment in which strategy must be implemented and outlines the strategic approach that is being adopted. The Market, Operations and Human Capital Plans are summarised and key initiatives that will be implemented by International Business are presented.
International Business is considered a strategic function and key focus area of the Freight Rail business and in support of the Shareholder Mandate and goals for regional development and integration. The Southern African rail network provides strategic links between landlocked countries and ports.
International Business facilitates the operation and enables development of rail corridors to connect and integrate the African region for economic growth and sustainability. The unit facilitates and enables relationships between Freight Rail; Ports; SADC railways and rail and transport service providers to promote investment in and ensure efficient supply chains and volume growth Freight Rail has long standing interface and commercial agreements with neighbouring countries that also operate a Cape gauge network.
Freight Rail will implement the International Business strategy over the next seven years. This represents a shift from merely managing inter-operability agreements to developing bilateral agreements for integrated regional growth.
Transnet, through its subsidiary Transnet Freight Rail transports volumes by rail to countries in the Southern African region. There has however been a decline of some specific volumes of inter-regional trade over the years. This is largely due to Southern African railways’ poor infrastructure, lack of rolling stock, road competition, skills and policy alignment to move and grow volumes further beyond the current tonnages.
Although some areas have been suffering from low volume growth, there are areas where volumes have been growing. Growth has typically materialised in cases where Freight Rail and African country railways are aligned on growth and development, and willingness and cooperation between countries exists to implement required initiatives to grow volumes. The Maputo corridor is a good example where volumes have increased and continue to increase given the actions taken to grow this link.