Picture: 861-kilometre Iron Ore Line
By BAKANG MOKOTO
13 October 2026 – The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy said the government is investing billions of rands to restore the reliability and capacity of the Iron Ore Line, a critical freight rail corridor linking the Northern Cape’s mining industry to the Port of Saldanha in the Western Cape. Creecy made the remarks on 12 October 2026, during a visit to the 861-kilometre Iron Ore Line as part of the government’s October Transport Month programme.
“The annual maintenance shutdown, which runs from 6 to 16 October 29026, is intended to allow Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) to undertake intensive maintenance work that would be difficult to complete during normal rail operations.
“The work includes rail and sleeper replacement, track maintenance, rehabilitation of railway formations, culvert installation, and electrical and signalling maintenance,” she said.
Creecy further said they are standing on one of South Africa’s most important freight rail corridors, stretching 861 kilometres from Sishen in the Northern Cape to the Port of Saldanha in the Western Cape. She added that for 50 years, this heavy-haul railway has moved iron ore, manganese and other critical commodities from the Northern Cape to international markets.
“The corridor played a significant role in supporting export earnings, employment, industrial growth and the broader South African economy. Improving the railway’s performance would help mines transport commodities more efficiently, strengthen port operations and ensure that exporters could reach international markets reliably.
“TRIM’s long-term Ore Line Restoration Programme, which runs until 2030, is valued at approximately R8.9 billion. The programme aims to restore reliability, improve capacity and support economic growth through a safer and more efficient rail network,” said Creecy.
She said the government has allocated R3.4 billion through the Budget Facility for Infrastructure over the current and next financial years to support the restoration programme. Creecy said TRIM is expected to invest approximately R2.2 billion in restorative maintenance on the Ore Corridor during the current financial year, including R1.5 billion from the infrastructure funding allocation.
“Safety is not separate from delivery. It is the foundation of delivery. The success of this shutdown will be measured not only by the maintenance completed, but by ensuring that every person returns home safely and that the corridor is restored to service without compromise.
“Transnet is also investing R1.47 billion in maintenance of rolling stock used on the ore line. This includes R752.3 million for wagon maintenance and R721.9 million for locomotive maintenance. The investments will support critical maintenance and overhaul programmes, address longstanding maintenance backlogs and improve the availability and reliability of locomotives and wagons,” she said.
