South Africa’s struggling rail network is driving an unsustainable shift to road freight, intensifying greenhouse gas emissions.

Cable theft and infrastructure decay have led to a third of long-distance freight moving from rail to road between 2017 and 2023, according to the Department of Transport. Supply chains increasingly depend on trucks, despite escalating fuel costs, driver shortages and poor road conditions.

The environmental consequences are alarming. Transport ranks as SA’s third-largest emitter, producing 55 megatons of CO² annually, 91.2% of which comes from road freight.

Marcus Ellappan, BIL’s Overland Logistics Director, says there are solutions for both road and rail sectors. “Our strategy includes promoting efficient driving habits and optimising routes with advanced software. Proper vehicle maintenance and transitioning to fuel-efficient fleets are vital,” he adds.

Ellappan advocates for adopting cleaner technologies like electric trucks, compressed natural gas vehicles and Euro 5/6 engines, which incorporate particulate filters and catalytic reduction to slash emissions.

These measures not only reduce environmental impact but also deliver business advantages. Lower carbon taxes, minimised maintenance downtime and reduced noise and air pollution align with environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.

“To sustain growth while addressing environmental challenges, collaboration and innovation in the freight sector are essential,” he says.