Page 30 - Logistics News - November December 2022

C O MPANY NE W S

Transnet digitises freight services with Huawei solution

As global rails and ports go digital, Transnet has developed In response, Huawei deployed the all-optical backbone
a digital strategy to reposition its freight transportation network solution for railways, building an independent
system and improve its competitiveness. The company has large-capacity wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)
been working with Huawei to build an upgradable and easy- transmission network that meets Transnet’s business and
to-maintain transmission backbone network featuring high production security requirements.
bandwidth and reliability. The network enables the real-time
and efficient transmission of a massive amount of business The project used next-generation intelligent and
data, supporting emerging services and solidifying Transnet’s simplified OptiX OSN 9800 series products. These large-
digital strategy. capacity MS-OTN products integrate optical and packet
functions, providing the transmission capacity of 100G
Transnet manages more than 30,000 km of rails and has and beyond. They feature high reliability, low latency
114 backbone nodes and numerous optical cable lines across and deterministic quality, as well as support end-to-end
South Africa. However, the existing SDH 2.5G/10G backbone native hard pipe (NHP) networks from the access layer to
network had reached the end of its life cycle, unable to the transport layer. The system can now centrally carry
support Transnet’s production and operations. On top of that, Transnet’s different businesses at multiple layers and
operating the obsolete SDH network was not efficient and interfaces, ensuring independent and secure operations.
integration with newer technologies was troublesome, slowing
down the company digitalisation initiatives and business To enhance the stability and scalability of the operation
expansion. network, Transnet adopted Huawei’s dense WDM (DWDM)
technology that supports a single wavelength capacity of at
least 100 Gbit/s. With it, Transnet has upgraded its 100G
network.

Transnet uses the upgraded network to ensure reliable
and high-bandwidth network connections for its rail
production business. At the same time, it offers other
customers bandwidth operation services, such as bandwidth
leasing. This helps Transnet diversify its revenue sources. •

Serco delivers new fleet in record time

TRUCK AND trailer body building to poor temperature control.
company Serco has delivered on one of
its largest orders in the 40-year history The trailers are fitted with durable
of the business, building a total of grain aluminium floors, fully welded
278 vehicles for Imperial – all handed aluminium scuffs that create a
over right on time. The new vehicles waterproof and high-strength structure
comprise 143 trailers and 135 truck as well as new door seals made from
bodies and were built at Serco’s main extended rubber material, which
production plant in Durban. provide an excellent thermal bridge preventing the
leakage of cold air. The trailers have BPW disc axles,
The refrigerated trailers in the record order were tuck-away tail lifts, Thermo King Advancer fridge
state-of-the-art Protec Steel Frostliner trailers. The units, park distance control, Whiting roller doors and a
injected panel technology used in the building of the loadlok cargo strapping system.
trailers improves thermal efficiency by as much as 40
percent when compared to alternates, reducing fuel “A huge team effort from Serco supported by BPW
consumption and wear and tear on the fridge. This Axles, DH Lifts, GEA Africa and UD Trucks ensured
also cuts the carbon impact on the environment and the order was delivered on time,” says Serco MD Charl
directly improves shelf life and losses from returns due Coetzee. •

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