Original Research
Sub-Saharan Africa’s rail freight transport system: Potential impact of densification on cost
Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management | Vol 4, No 1 | a13 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jtscm.v4i1.13
| © 2010 Anneke de Bod, Jan Havenga
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 15 November 2010 | Published: 30 November 2010
Submitted: 15 November 2010 | Published: 30 November 2010
About the author(s)
Anneke de Bod, Centre for Supply Chain Management, Department of Logistics, Stellenbosch University, South AfricaJan Havenga, Centre for Supply Chain Management, Department of Logistics, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
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The main response to sub-Saharan Africa’s (SSA) challenges has been foreign aid. Yet, despite the large amounts received, the challenges remain. There is an opportunity to consider a different model with less focus on aid and more on investment. In the transport sector specifically, investment decisions should be informed by a longterm optimal balance between different transport modes. The research presented in this paper highlights the significant cost reduction opportunities possible through the densification of rail freight, especially over longer distances, with concomitant implications for increased profitability for rail operators. The densification opportunity should also place a core focus on transport corridors being developed throughout the region. SSA countries themselves can play a critical role in unlocking this potential through, inter alia, simplifying regional economic communities and taking the lead in structuring agreements with the international community.
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