The past year has seen Tranz Rail transport a record amount of coal out of Solid Energy’s West Coast Mines in the South
Island.
Tranz Rail’s National Bulk Cargo Manager Steve Muir reports that 1.65 million tonnes of export coal was transported by
rail from Solid Energy’s mines to the Port of Lyttleton and that is projected to increase even further over the next
year.
“We have now reached an agreement with Solid Energy to increase capacity to carry an extra four hundred thousand tonnes
and that has a further beneficial spin off for Tranz Rail.
“The company’s Hillside Workshops in Dunedin are to build an extra twenty two hopper wagons that will be needed for the
extra coal.
“Solid Energy is one of Tranz Rail’s most valued customers and the new agreement highlights the excellent working
relationship the two companies have in developing the South Island coalfields.
“We have a clear focus on improving our service levels to Solid Energy and developing our capability to meet the growth
in export coal.
“Tranz Rail overall has been carrying an increasing amount of freight throughout the South Island and this is expected
to strengthen with the current growth in the area of coal, dairy and forestry products, says Mr Muir.
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