Transnet Engineering's vision for growth in maritime operations

Transnet wants to continue to grow the economy through its three divisions in order to further stimulate the economy, said its chief procurement officer.

Transnet Engineering (TE) gave a tour to business partners and media at their Salt River engineering base on Wednesday, June 11.

TE is a division of the state-owned enterprise of Transnet, which is the country’s largest rail, port, and pipeline company.

Chief procurement officer Colette Yende said that through TE, Transnet Infrastructure, and Transnet Freight Rail, they want to support the economy from freight to infrastructure.

“The work that the ports do must also be enhanced to ensure that there are no delays, the future of Transnet and the South African market is bright,” she said.

Ms Yende said they would like TE to partner with Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) companies.

“If we were to bring in an OEM from another country, we would want them to transfer their skills into our economy to other suppliers that we can work with,” she said.

TE general manager, Tshwanelo Tswai spoke about the work his division does with their transportation, modernisation, fabrication, and maritime operations.

Mr Tswai said the maritime operation has only been running for the past three years at TE, and the work was showcased during the tour.

“We have the engineering capabilities to do many things in Maritime, it is a space we believe we can improve,” he says.

During the tour, the executive manager of port business for TE, Siyabonga Maqabangqa showcased the equipment that is used in the maritime operation.

“Today we exhibited the TE capabilities, in what we do in supporting the port environment, we are a key enabler, showing that our equipment is improved and is reliable,” he said.

Mr Maqabangqa displayed how the port hauler with a trailer is assembled.

“Haulers are the key physical equipment to move containers from the land side to the water side,” he said, adding that port haulers can transport commodities like coal or iron ore in skip containers, which are transported from land to the ships in the port.

Mr Tsai said that TE is focused on expanding its service offerings.

“Diversifying manufacturing capabilities, fostering strategic partnerships and penetrating new markets,” he said.

Mr Tsai said that market share in port equipment maintenance and manufacturing will not only strengthen TE position within the country but also establish them as a key player across the African continent.