With the N3 toll concession set to expire in 2029, South Africa faces a critical decision point on how to reshape container transport.
For the cold chain, the outcome is critical. © Cold Link Africa
Option 3: A hybrid road–rail solution
The third and most balanced proposal involves allowing PBS trucks but applying targeted tolling to capture part of their efficiency gains. These funds would then subsidise Transnet’s container rail infrastructure, ensuring a sustainable rail option remains in play.
Importantly, PBS trucks would be limited to operating between Durban and the Port of Gauteng, preventing them from extending too far inland and undermining rail’s role. For the cold chain, this model could be key: it combines the speed and flexibility of road transport with the scale and reliability of rail, especially if modern intermodal hubs are built to handle fast refrigerated transfers.
Why the Port of Gauteng matters
Located on a 1 400ha agricultural belt with direct access to both road and rail, the Port of Gauteng is positioned to become a ‘truck and cold chain valley’. Plans include dedicated truck yards, cold storage facilities and state-of-the-art intermodal terminals capable of turning trains around in as little as three hours.
This efficiency matters most for cold chain cargo. Imagine fresh fruit leaving Port of Durban with a guaranteed 21-hour transit time to Gauteng, followed by a seamless three-hour turnaround into cold storage or onto refrigerated trucks. Such precision could open new export markets, reduce wastage, and enhance South Africa’s global reputation for quality perishable exports.
A strategic national asset
Nortje stressed that the Port of Gauteng should be declared a national key point, given its role in safeguarding multiple layers of national infrastructure – from water and fibre to fuel pipelines. More importantly, its logistics ecosystem could create 50 000 permanent jobs while transforming cold chain logistics into a globally competitive advantage.
The road ahead
South Africa’s decision in 2029 will determine whether the country pursues:
- a road-dominated system that risks undermining rail (Option 1),
- a state-supported hybrid with subsidies to balance modes (Option 2), or
- a sustainable road–rail partnership with shared benefits (Option 3).
For the cold chain, the outcome is even more critical: each model carries implications for cost, resilience and efficiency in transporting perishables. As Nortje noted, with modern technology, efficient terminals and regulatory alignment, South Africa can build a freight corridor where cold chain logistics are not just preserved – but elevated to world-class standards.
