Transnet SOC Ltd and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) today formalised a historic partnership that will allow Transnet to tap into the CSIR's technological innovation and research capabilities.

In terms of the partnership, Transnet and the CSIR will work together in identifying possible areas of cooperation and enter into specific arrangements in all areas of Transnet’s operations. These include port, rail and pipeline operations. Ownership and other rights, especially intellectual property, will be negotiated on a project basis, depending on the work to be done.  

Speaking at the formal signing ceremony in Johannesburg, Transnet Group Chief Executive, Mr Brian Molefe said: “For Transnet to play its rightful role in the economy, we have to grow, invest and modernise at an unprecedented rate. Therefore, we need to constantly explore innovations and technological advancements. We have that in abundance at the CSIR, an institution that has developed the expertise over the last couple of decades.

“With this agreement, we have given ourselves access, not only to decades of the knowledge we need, but to a body of specialised skills that the CSIR has at its disposal,” said Mr Molefe.

Transnet is about to enter into the second year of its rolling seven-year Market Demand Strategy, which entails a huge improvement in its operations, including its capital investment programme, volumes, operational efficiencies and safety levels.

CSIR Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sibusiso Sibisi said: “This partnership is an excellent opportunity for the CSIR to provide comprehensive research and development support to a pivotal state-owned company such as Transnet. Supporting industry is in keeping with our mandate.  We are excited to be part of a series of projects that, apart from benefiting the sophistication and modernisation of Transnet’s operations, will assist in job creation and growing South Africa’s economy.”

In addition to the company’s five operating divisions, the partnership will augment Transnet’s own in-house engineering and project management unit – Transnet Capital Projects, which manages Transnet’s mega projects.
Transnet and the CSIR have started work on the following areas:

• Infrastructure, including rail, port and coastal engineering, roads and buildings;
• Rolling stock, including energy efficiency, alternative fuels and energy regeneration;
• Operations – water use, waste management systems, logistics supply chain, greening, climate change, sensor tracking and automation as well as safety and security; and
• Strategic decision support which looks into planning, environmental management system and enterprise engineering.

Transnet has previously used the CSIR’s services on various specialised projects including:

• Monitoring of the quality of water in all ports
• Ports maintenance dredging support at the Port of Durban
• Marine life monitoring at all ports
• Waste water monitoring for the Durban-to-Johannesburg fuel pipeline.

“The CSIR’s expertise will be relevant and appropriate in various areas of our operations. This is particularly so in Environmental Management, a key focus area of our strategy and a major challenge for our divisions, especially projects,” concluded Mr Molefe.

Issued on behalf of Transnet SOC Ltd 
By: Mboniso Sigonyela, spokesman 
011 308 2458/083 463 7701 
mboniso.sigonyela@transnet.net

For further queries, contact Ms Viwe Tlaleane 
011 308 2384/083 979 0707 
Viwe.tlaleane@transnet.net

Tendani Tsedu
CSIR Media Relations Manager
012 841 3417/082 945 1980
mtsedu@csir.co.za

About CSIR
The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) is one of the leading R&D, technology and innovation institutions in Africa, with a track record spanning over 65 years. Structured to manage the entire research and innovation value chain, the CSIR strives for excellence in all its endeavours in order to improve the quality of life of South Africa's people and to increase the global competitiveness of South African industry. Visit www.csir.co.za

About Transnet
Transnet SOC Ltd is a transport and logistics company, wholly-owned by the Government of the Republic of South Africa. With approximately 60 000 employees and assets in excess of R182 billion, Transnet is uniquely positioned to provide integrated, seamless transport solutions for its customers in the bulk and manufacturing sectors. This is part of its drive to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the South African economy. 

The company is investing over R300 billion over the next seven years on revitalising and expanding its rail ports and pipelines infrastructure including buying and building thousands of locomotives and construction of a new petroleum products pipeline and addressing the maintenance backlog, especially at its rail freight division. Visit www.transnet.net