If you have been watching South Africa’s freight and logistics landscape over the past few years, you will know that good news stories have been in short supply.. Which is why today’s milestone from Transnet feels more than symbolic, it feels significant..
In Durban, the 200th state-of-the-art Traxx 23E locomotive officially rolled off the assembly line, marking a major step forward in South Africa’s industrial recovery and Transnet’s broader fleet renewal strategy..
It is part of the 240 locomotives procured under the programme, and its arrival signals a steady return to operational stability, manufacturing confidence, and engineering resilience..
Michelle Phillips, Transnet Group Chief Executive, described the moment as both a technological and economic turning point..
“Modernising our fleet is a critical component of the national mandate to lower the cost of doing business and enable economic growth. Today’s celebration of this milestone is a manifestation of our commitment to modernise our fleet and enhance freight capacity through sustained and focused investment in rolling stock assets,” said Phillips..
This renewed momentum is especially noteworthy when considering the project’s past turbulence..
After years of procurement delays and the much-publicised locomotive challenges that contributed to rail underperformance, the Traxx 23E programme was revived and stabilised following a 2023 settlement agreement with Alstom, the company that acquired the original contractor, Bombardier..
From recovery to high-performance manufacturing
What happened next is a testament to what coordinated engineering, supply chain discipline, and high-performance operations can achieve..
Transnet Engineering implemented a 24/5 shift system, ramped up production capacity, and stabilised its materials supply chain.. The results spoke for themselves: a record 43 locomotives were delivered in 2024, the highest annual output since the project began..
This pace now places the programme firmly on track to complete the remaining 40 locomotives by June 2026, a target that seemed distant just a few years ago..
This is more than a locomotive rollout.. It is a demonstration of South Africa’s growing manufacturing capability, skilled workforce, and potential to serve not only South Africa, but the broader continent..
Why the Traxx 23E matters for South Africa’s economy
A modern, reliable locomotive fleet is not just a rail priority; it is an economic necessity.. South Africa moves the majority of its bulk commodities via rail, and inefficiencies in the freight system have contributed to lost revenue, port congestion, increased road traffic, and significant economic leakage..
The Traxx 23E series has the potential to address several long-standing freight rail constraints, such as:
- Improved energy efficiency, helping reduce operating costs and emissions..
- Higher hauling capability, enabling heavier trains and better utilisation of main corridors..
- Enhanced reliability, which is essential for restoring service predictability and rebuilding customer trust..
- Local manufacturing, which supports South African jobs, engineering skills development, and industrial competitiveness..
In my view, Africa’s rail revival needs African-built locomotives.. If Transnet continues delivering at this scale and quality, it can become a strategic manufacturing hub for the region.
More than a milestone, it is a signal
While South Africa’s freight rail challenges remain complex, today’s achievement sends a clear message: the recovery is real, the engineering capability is solid, and the operational discipline is returning..
