Integrated Transport Plan.pdf - Durban

8.5 Problems and Issues
8.5.1 Road/Rail Freight Modal Mix
As a port city eThekwini is a major generator/attractor of freight to and from
the hinterland. Some of the problems related to the operations of the port
and the negative impacts on the surrounding urban development emerge
from the imbalance between the appropriate use of road and rail freight
service options.
As stated in the Provincial White Paper on Freight Transport Policy 2004,
the main line from Durban and Gauteng operates at 35% of the line
capacity and could handle a far higher portion of long distance freight, if
equipment and systems were upgraded. Similarly the line between Durban
through Golela to Swaziland has spare capacity. Branch lines throughout
the province “including the Durban - Port Shepstone line are under-utilised
but in need of urgent rehabilitation...”.
Whilst rail carries more than 40% of bulk commodities in the busy
Durban/Gauteng corridor, general freight haulage by rail is much lower and
on all other corridors where rail and road provide a parallel competitive
service, road on average transports 80% of all the cargo. Further, road
freight is the dominant means of transport for local and short haul demand.
Addressing these problems is predominantly a national and to a lesser
degree provincial imperative. Current national and provincial freight policy
suggests that in the future many of the problems giving rise to these
imbalances will be addressed. It is therefore reasonable to expect that this
will result in an increasing utilisation of rail which will reduce some of the
negative impacts of transporting freight in and through eThekwini
Municipality.
8.5.2 The Port of Durban
8.5.2.1 Planning
Both the Port Authority and Municipal officials have expressed concern that
strategic planning by the other party is largely carried out in isolation, with
limited opportunity to influence the other’s strategic planning proposals.
Whilst national and provincial policy recognise the need for integrated and
coordinated planning at all levels of government, the interpretation of this in
practical terms needs to be pursued further.
Limited use of
rail
Dominant use
of road
Future use
of rail
Port planning
eThekwini Integrated Transport Plan
Summary Report
8.7
Freight