On 20 September 2016, Grindrod Rail Construction (GRC) signed a contract with Unik Engineering Construction
Botswana for the construction of a railway line to Tshele Hills fuel storage facility in Botswana. The works include the construction of approximately 25 km of track, spurring from the Gaborone to Francistown mainline, leading to the Tshele Hills fuel facility situated approximately 50km north of Gaborone in Botswana.
The initial 12 km of track being constructed to heavier axle loading design parameters, is said to be the initial part of the intended Trans-Kalahari line.
The procurement of long lead time materials has commenced with the construction works scheduled to commence in March 2017.
“GRC has expanded its footprint in Africa. This is the first project we will be executing in Botswana and hope this will open up some more opportunities in the country for GRC,” says Crystal Kellerman, Executive Commercial GRC.