Originally published March 18, 2014
South Africa's state-owned rail company Transnet is to get more than 1,000 new trains. It is the country's single biggest corporate infrastructure investment after decades of underinvestment.
According to Reuters and the BBC, Transnet ordered 599 electric locomotives from China's CSR Corp and the South African subsidiary of Canada's Bombardier and 465 diesel trains from China's CNR Corp and General Electric. The contract was worth $4.7 billion.
The trains will mainly be used for transportation of general cargo. Delivery of the first batch of trains was expected in 15 months, Reuters reported.
Transnet chief executive Brian Molefe said the deal is going to create and preserve approximately 30,000 jobs, according to the BBC.
Transnet is in the midst of a seven-year plan to improve the country's rail, port and pipeline infrastructure.
