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Featured Issue 10 2024

Features

Featured Issue 10 2024

Our monthly features are designed to cover the core areas of interest within the commercial transport industry.

October 18, 2024

SA’s great train robbery

SA’s great train robbery October 15, 2024 A recent Transport Forum, hosted by the University of Johannesburg, delved into everything rail related. Jaco de...

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focusmagsa

💸 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝘇𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗔 𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 C

💸 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝘇𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗔 𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀

China’s 0% tariff access from 1 May for South African exports is set to lift volumes for citrus and wine into China – and it’s not just good for agriculture, there are potential benefits for the logistics sector as well:

📦️ More export bookings & higher peak-season demand ➡️ plan reefer/container availability and vessel space early.

❄️ Updated citrus cold-treatment requirements mean less extreme temperatures ➡️ potentially lower energy use and reduced cold-damage risk during transit.

China's health standards remain in place irrespective of tariff policy. The phytosanitary protocol is managed by the GACC, China's Customs authority.

🍑 Stone fruit, including plums, peaches and nectarines, already have approved protocols and can immediately benefit from zero-tariff status.

🍊🍎🍐 Citrus, apples and pears operate under long-standing agreements and will see their existing 11-12% tariffs removed.

🌰 The nut sector, including macadamias and pecans, also holds established phytosanitary protocols.

#Logistics #Freight #Transport #ColdChain #Reefer #MaritimeShipping #PortOperations #SupplyChain #Exports #SouthAfrica #ChinaTrade #WineExports #Citrus #FreshProduce

🚆 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗼

🚆 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁

Saudi Railways (SAR) has unveiled five new freight logistics routes, linking Gulf ports with inland, Red Sea and cross‑border corridors to create a fully integrated, multimodal cargo network across the Kingdom.

🚢 Managed through key hubs including the Riyadh Dry Port and multiple freight yards nationwide, these routes support vital sectors such as petrochemicals and mining while reducing transit times, emissions and road congestion.

🪖 The timing is particularly significant. Amid ongoing conflict and instability in the Middle East, strengthening resilient, land‑based and multimodal supply chains are critical for keeping trade flowing and markets connected.

As noted by Dr Bashar Al‑Malik, CEO of SAR, the initiative enhances reliability “under all conditions”, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a key East‑West trade corridor and global logistics hub.

#Logistics #MiddleEast #SaudiArabia #Rail #Multimodal

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽... 😬⛽️ Early projections shared by the C

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝘂𝗽... 😬⛽️
Early projections shared by the Centre for Risk Analysis suggest that diesel prices could increase by R12+ per litre in May, partly due to the expiry of the temporary R3/litre general fuel levy relief on 5 May.

#FuelPrice #Diesel #Crisis #RunningCosts #FleetManagers

🫟 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗭𝗡 👉 Style To

🫟 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗭𝗡
👉 Style Towing’s Namesh Govender has added the first 65-tonne, 700 Series model to his fleet of Hino tow trucks operating in KwaZulu-Natal. The 2845 freight carrier is fitted with a 40-tonne winch and features eye-catching, customised livery.

Govender has been in the towing business since 2005 and has bought only Hino trucks for his business.

🗣️“I currently operate two other tow trucks – Hino 814 and 915 models – and over the years I have owned plenty of other Hino’s, including 8-tonners, as well as a Toyota Dyna,” he explained.

💡 The 700 Series tow truck is based on a 6x4 freight carrier model. It had its bodywork built by Durban-based Transpec while another local company, Artistic Signs and Graphics, was responsible for the stand-out livery.

#Towing #VehicleLivery #Hino #TowTrucks #KZN #SouthAfrica

This may well be the world's least successful vehi

This may well be the world's least successful vehicle recovery.

Somewhere, the boss of an insurance company just fainted...

#NailedItAlmost #MinorSetback #ThatWentWell #EpicFail

📢 𝗧𝗼𝘆𝗼𝘁𝗮, 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻

📢 𝗧𝗼𝘆𝗼𝘁𝗮, 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗝𝗩

Volvo and Daimler Truck are combining their extensive commercial vehicle expertise with Toyota’s fuel cell development and manufacturing experience in a joint venture aimed at strengthening the market competitiveness of cellcentric, a manufacturer of fuel cell systems.

👉 Cellcentric will be the joint centre of competence that develops, produces and commercialises fuel cell systems for heavy-duty on- and off-road transport and other heavy-duty applications with comparable requirements.

Through collaboration with industry associations and partners across the entire hydrogen value chain, the partners also aim to actively support the development of hydrogen supply and infrastructure in the early stages.

💚 The JV should contribute to the long-term vision of the European Green Deal objectives and the hydrogen society act in Japan.

#JointVenture #FuelCells #HydrogenPower #HeavyDutyTransport #GreenDeal

⛽️𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻

⛽️𝗗𝗶𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲

Road freight operators are under immense pressure following the 32.5% increase on 1 April in the basic cost of diesel in South Africa.

🗣️ Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a R3 per-litre reduction in the fuel levy during the month of April to help offset the impact of surging oil prices on domestic fuel pricing. But fleet operators worry about further fuel price increases, says the Road Freight Association, and many are concerned about clients refusing to pay higher transport rates.

😟 Access to cash reserves to pay for growing fuel costs is another source of worry for an already challenged sector. The fuller impact may only be felt towards the end of April, warns the RFA.

❓How concerned are you about this crisis? Share below.

#FuelPrice #RoadTransport #Freight #Trucking #BusinessCosts #FleetManagement

🏆️ 𝗞𝗶𝗮 𝗣𝗩𝟱 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗱 ‘𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿’ 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻

🏆️ 𝗞𝗶𝗮 𝗣𝗩𝟱 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗱 ‘𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿’ 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻

The Kia PV5 eLCV has earned three major honours at the 2026 What Car? Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards, including the prestigious ‘Van of the Year’ title.

It was the first Korean model to win the International Van of the Year in November 2025.

👉 What Car? awarded the Kia PV5 Cargo with the title of 'Best Small Electric Van'. Judges praised the vehicle for its blend of payload capacity and versatility, ease of use, long-distance comfort and accessible price.

👉 Kia’s PV5 Passenger was recognised as 'Best Van-Based MPV' (multi-purpose vehicle). Judges were impressed with its car-like refinement, passenger comfort and smooth ride.

💡 The awards highlight the PV5's balance of payload capacity, versatility, ease of use and long-distance comfort, as well as the effectiveness of Kia’s global PBV strategy.

#CommercialVehicles #PassengerTransport #Kia

⚠️ 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗼 𝘃𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵

⚠️ 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗼 𝘃𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝘀

The recall affects 582 custom passenger vehicles (2022-2026 model year) that were made available for sale across South Africa between 2021 and 2025.

🪫Ford reports via the National Consumer Commission that the affected vehicles may have an issue with the H7 AGM battery. The affected vehicles may produce an acidic smell similar to that of rotten eggs inside the cabin, a hissing sound, or visible gas venting from the battery. In some cases, the seat area may feel unusually warm. Increased temperatures may cause a reaction in the battery that produces hydrogen sulphide gas. Prolonged exposure to this gas may pose potential health risks to vehicle occupants.

👉 Owners of the affected vehicles are urged to take their vehicles to the nearest authorised dealership for repairs, to be carried out at no cost to the consumer.

❓Queries: ProductRecall@thencc.org.za

#ProductRecall #Ford #PassengerTransport

Tonight we’re in Sandton for the launch of the bra

Everyone knows the rule: when traffic lights are o

Everyone knows the rule: when traffic lights are out, you treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Simple. Basic. Non-negotiable.

Apparently not for these two truck drivers.

We watched them blast through not one – but TWO – intersections in Pretoria at around 80 km/h, without even touching the brakes. No hesitation. No regard for anyone else on the road.

What is wrong with people?

This isn’t just reckless – it’s deadly. When drivers behave like this, people don’t just get scared… they get killed.

📢 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗘𝗠 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

🚚 𝗗𝗛𝗟 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗔 𝗮𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

🚚 𝗗𝗛𝗟 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗔 𝗮𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Global logistics giant DHL will acquire local firms Vital Distribution, Vital Fleet and Staffing Logistics, if approved by South Africa’s Competition Tribunal.

💵 This follows the company’s announcement last year that it will invest R6 billion in its African business. It also plans to expand its supply chain logistics in SA, says the CEO of supply chain in DHL’s Middle East & Africa region, Orkun Saruhanoglu.

“We are seeing growing demand for specialised, outsourced logistics, particularly in life sciences and healthcare and across the transporter sector. By adding capacity, strengthening transport-led solutions and applying our contract logistics expertise, we will help customers improve service quality, manage risk and scale with confidence.”

💡 Vital Distribution provides transport, distribution and warehousing logistics services by road for FMCG, industrial, manufacturing and retail markets, while Vital Fleet manages specialised vehicles ranging from one-tonne vans to 34-tonne long-haul trucks. Vital’s human resources arm, Staffing Logistics, has a nationwide network of 96 operations across SA and can quickly deploy staff to new operations at scale.

The three companies would be folded into DHL’s operations in SA.

👀 More: https://buff.ly/ykZUsoI

#DHL #Logistics #Acquisitions #SouthAfrica #Africa #Transportation

🚚 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗔𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗠/𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼

🚚 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗔𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗠/𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The National Association of Automotive Component & Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) has been engaging with the Chery team to support localisation opportunities and the integration of local suppliers into Chery’s value chain.

🗺️ Chery's Neel Hariram presented the OEM's strategic production, localisation and supplier engagement plans to NAACAM's National Executive Committee, followed by a dedicated localisation session involving the NAACAM team, Chery South Africa and the visiting Chery international localisation and procurement division.

These engagements demonstrate NAACAM's role in facilitating OEM interaction with local suppliers, promoting structured engagement and guiding localisation studies and tours to strengthen the country’s automotive component manufacturing base.
(Pic: NAACAM)

#Localisation #NAACAM #Chery #AutomotiveIndustry #Manufacturing #SouthAfrica

⚓️ 𝗢𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗔 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘀

⚓️ 𝗢𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗔 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲

The US-Israel war on Iran is redrawing shipping routes overnight, sending vessels around Africa’s coast. But the safety of ships passing around the Cape cannot be guaranteed, with the Coast Guard struggling even to keep up with illegal fishing.

Nicholas Woode-Smith warns that, as traffic surges, South Africa’s struggling ports, weak infrastructure and policy missteps threaten to turn a rare logistics opportunity into a costly failure.

👀 Read the full story in FOCUS March: https://buff.ly/KPv4fXh

#Shipping #South Africa #War #Ports #Infrastructure #MaritimeLaw #Iran #StraitOfHormuz

Meet Our Convention Speakers – Here’s a Sneak Peek

Meet Our Convention Speakers – Here’s a Sneak Peek!
We’re proud to welcome Liesl de Wet and Justice Malala to the RFA Convention 2026.
From sustainable transport solutions to powerful insights on politics, economics and society, this year’s convention is set to spark meaningful conversations that shape the future of the industry.
📅 29 - 31 May 2026, The Capital, Zimbali Hotel, KwaZulu-Natal
Register today: https://rfa.co.za/convention/
#RFAConvention2026 #shiftinggears

🐉 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁? Long

🐉 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁?
Long recognised as a high-tech industrial power, China is where GIANENRICO GRIFFINI travelled to in order to report back on the China Commercial Vehicles Show (CCVS) in Wuhan.

👀 You can read all about what’s happening inside the world’s largest commercial vehicle market in the March issue of FOCUS: https://buff.ly/C3aLa2E

#China #CommercialVehicles #CCVS #Transportation #Technology #Trucks

📢 𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮

📢 𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

MAN has signed up to compete in Truck Test 2026, entering two trucks (model details under wraps for now).

⛽️ At Truck Test in 2022, the MAN TGX 26.510 6x4 recorded the best fuel consumption over the 1,100km route, achieving a remarkable 48.63 litres per 100km.

The second-most economical truck in 2022 was the MAN TGS 26.480, with an equally impressive 48.69 litres per 100km.

❓Can MAN do it again in 2026? From 3-5 Nov, a fleet of over ten of South Africa’s leading commercial vehicle brands will undergo rigorous real-world testing on the route between Johannesburg and Durban.

⚖️ The performance of MAN’s trucks against competitors will be accurately measured and the results independently compiled by TruckScience, ensuring a transparent and data-driven evaluation process.

𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘖𝘌𝘔 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦?

👉 Follow FOCUS for all the excitement as we build up to the industry’s ultimate test of productivity and performance.

👀 Read more about MAN’s performance in the last Truck Test here: https://buff.ly/qzvJuUY

#TruckTest2026 #MANTrucks #FocusMagazine #TruckScience #PayloadProductivity

⚠️ 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗔’𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 Wi

⚠️ 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗔’𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱

With liabilities topping R400 billion, the RAF has become one of the biggest fiscal risks to the country's national budget.

🔎 Recent investigations have highlighted serious misconduct under former CEO Collins Letsoalo, including:
🔹 Undisclosed RAF bank accounts holding betw R1m and R100m
🔹 A R79-m lease scandal in Johannesburg
🔹 Failure to pay R300m owed to a 200-bed hospital, forcing its closure
🔹 A R4m staff party, including R40k in 'executive drinks'
🔹 Manipulated procurement processes & invoice splitting
🔹 No chief claims officer for +2yrs, despite massive backlogs

👉 With the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) now investigating and Parliament demanding action, the RAF’s situation is more urgent than ever. Fixing it is essential for protecting the country’s fiscal stability.

#RoadAccidentFund #Corruption #Scandal #Misconduct #SIU #SouthAfrica #Transport

🚅 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟯𝟬𝟬𝗸𝗺 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻! In a

🚅 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝟯𝟬𝟬𝗸𝗺 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻!

In a first for Japan, a high-speed Shinkansen train is running exclusively for freight transport, having been withdrawn from passenger service and reconfigured for freight handling.

📉 As the Japanese population declines, it’s been challenging for the country’s four bullet train operators to rely on passenger-rail revenue alone.

JR East, which runs three high-speed train lines north of Tokyo, launched the cargo-only bullet train service to run weekly from Morioka to Tokyo, 500km away. Its plans include building Shinkansen freight trains from scratch and extending high-speed freight services to other major cities.

JR Central, which operates 372 high-speed trains daily between Tokyo and Osaka, has also partnered with logistics group Nippon Express to offer space on passenger trains for commercial shipments.

💡 These initiatives are only expected to capture a sliver of the 10.9 million tonnes of cargo transported daily in Japan, reports the Nomura Research Institute think-tank.

#BulletTrains #RailFreight #CargoTrains #Japan #HighSpeedTransport

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