• Transnet unveils 200th Traxx 23E locomotive in freight fleet renewal
  
  
• 240-unit order with Alstom aims to modernize rail and boost capacity
  
  
• Project counters freight decline, logistics costs from past operational setbacks
  

South African state-owned transport company Transnet has unveiled the 200th Traxx 23E locomotive from its Durban assembly line, marking a milestone in its fleet renewal program with manufacturer Alstom.

The locomotive forms part of a 240-unit order that represents the cornerstone of Transnet's freight fleet modernization. The project began in 2014 with Bombardier Transport before Alstom acquired the company and took over industrial operations. A new agreement signed in 2023 accelerated production, enabling the manufacture of 43 locomotives in 2024 - the program's strongest annual performance.

Transnet expects to complete the remaining 40 locomotives by June 2026. The progress comes as the company works to reverse years of operational decline that have resulted in financial losses and hampered its ability to serve the mining sector and foreign trade.

The rail operator's challenges have significantly reduced rail freight volumes, shifting some cargo to roads and increasing logistics costs across South Africa's economy.

Henoc Dossa