Industries in Western Cape, South Africa are struggling to get adequate coal supplies due to poor transportation facilities.

Several industries in Western Cape region of South Africa are struggling due to poor transportation facilities thus restricting coal supplies, according to Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Albert Schuitmaker, Chamber's Director, said that coal suppliers & major consumers were moving towards road transportation instead of traditional rail transportation, affecting the coal quantity being supplied to industries. The situation has forced coal merchants & coal-dependent industries to setup a unit to approach government. Cotton, wine, paper, fish, canning & fruit industries are the worst affected industries.

The key problem is indeed the lack of proper railway transportation facility. One merchant used to receive 4 trainloads worth of coal every week but the supply has been reduced to 2 trainloads per week. The rest is transferred by road. Another merchant, who had a normal supply of a trainload per week, has not received a single trainload since 4 weeks.

The chamber is also concerned about the affect of coal on roads. Coal, being a heavy cargo shouldn't be transported via roads. The damage to road system is also a serious issue.

Moreover, poor railway links between Mozambique & South Africa are also disturbing the coal supply in the Mozambican region, which has made Mozambican govt. to invest in Ressano Garcia Railway line which links the two nations, to increase the capacity 8 times by 2010.

Though it is a nation wide problem, Western Cape industries are largely affected due to being farthest from coalfields. This coal crisis has further affected the already struggling Western cape region dealing with shortages of gas & diesel. It seems that Western Cape region is in deep energy crisis.

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