In a joint statement yesterday, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) announced that a power failure had caused an interruption in South Africa’s coal exports from the harbour.
The RBCT came to a complete halt on Friday.
“The failure was caused when uMhlatuze Municipality experienced faults on both cables that feed the Hydra Substation which in turn feeds RBCT,” said the statement.
“Although the export coal service has been suspended, the general freight business still continues unhindered.”
The TFR, RBCT, Eskom and the municipality were hard at work effecting repairs.
The system will probably be restarted in about 3 days and should be up to full capacity by the week ending on 9 February.