South Africa’s coal exports rise on improved rail performance
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Update time : 2026-01-30 14:40:30
Coal exports from South Africa’s Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) rose by 11% to 57.66 million metric tons in 2025, marking the highest level in four years, as freight rail performance improved. Despite the increase, exports remain below the 76 million tons recorded in 2017, mainly due to the limited capacity of state-owned Transnet to transport commodities to ports.
Transnet has faced challenges, including locomotive and spare parts shortages, as well as cable theft and infrastructure vandalism, forcing some exporters to rely on trucks and reroute cargo through Mozambique. Major coal producers, including Thungela Resources and Exxaro Resources, reported improved freight rail performance since the second half of 2024.
RBCT, with a capacity of 91 million tons, offloaded 7,157 trains in 2025, up from 6,342 the previous year, with daily trains increasing from 17 to 20. Asia remained the largest destination, though its share fell to 79.8%. India imported 25.75 million tons, while exports to Europe and the Middle East, including Israel, also increased.
