The leading exporter of low-cost thermal coal said it had agreed to amend a long-term haulage contract with Transnet after the state-owned rail operator declared force majeure in April this year.
Transnet declared force majeure and sought to terminate long-term coal transportation agreements in April, saying large-scale theft of copper cables, insufficient maintenance and a shortage of locomotives impacted its capacity to haul minerals to port.
Thungela and other coal exporters initially rejected Transnet’s bid to cancel the long-term haulage agreements, but subsequently entered into discussions with the rail utility for amended contracts.
In July, Transnet announced it had lifted force majeure on nine coal exporters that had agreed to amend transportation contracts, but threatened unspecified action against bigger miners who were yet to sign new agreements.
In a statement, Thungela said it had now agreed to an amended contract that would see Transnet committing to haul at least 60 million tons of coal for all coal exporters during its current financial year, which ends in March 2023.
Transnet’s deteriorating rail performance resulted in a 12 percent decline in export coal it hauled to port to 58.1 million tons during its last financial year, from 66.3 million tons previously.
Transnet’s logistical problems have limited South African coal miners’ ability to take advantage of high prices and surging demand for thermal coal, especially in Europe where customers are switching from expensive natural gas to coal due to Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
Europe has banned coal imports from Russia, which used to supply 45 percent of its coal.
REUTERS