New record for coal terminal
RBCT boasts a record 70.2-million tonnes of coal exported last year.
FOR Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT), 2013 was a good year to carry coal and prospects for 2014 looks even better.
Boasting a record 70.2-million tonnes of coal exported last year, RBCT Operations General Manager Jabu Mdaki attributes the improvement from 69.2mt of coal shipped in 2012 to clearer communication with stakeholders, particularly Transnet Freight Rail (TFR).
‘There has been a significant improvement in the coal supply chain,’ says Mdaki.
‘The communication and coordination with TFR has improved with joint planning and coordination of all operational issues.
‘Overall we are engaging more with the stakeholders, specifically TFR, Coal Exporting Parties (CEPs) and TNPA, which allows us to improve the planning and performance of the value chain.’
Last year, the company also introduced a plan of action to maximise overall performance and reach its yearly throughput capacity of 91mt.
‘2013 was the first phase where we focused on stabilising and improving internal RBCT efficiencies and we believe this has yielded positive results,’ says Mdaki.
‘The second phase of the improvement in the supply chain will involve realising the full benefits of TFR’s Shongololo initiative.’
Dubbed ‘Project Shongololo’, TFR is introducing a 200-wagon rail service moving from selected Mpumalanga coal mines and bypassing the Ermelo yard leg directly to RBCT, thereby reducing train-handling time.
‘The planning and coordination between TFR, RBCT and the CEPs is crucial for the success of this initiative,’ says Mdaki.
RBCT Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) General Manager Zanele Mthiyane also notes that the company achieved 3 002 657 (lost time incidents) LTI-free man hours on 23 December 2013.
‘This is the first time in 10 years that RBCT has achieved these excellent safety results,’ says Mthiyane.
‘The total number of injuries incurred also reduced from 85 in 2012 to 69 in 2013.’
