Henan ZongXiang Heavy Industry Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese manufacturer and exporter of railway materials, has successfully completed the export of 20 tons of 60kg/m steel rail to South Africa. The shipment, finalized in Q3 2025, marks another milestone in the company’s expanding footprint in the African rail infrastructure market.

The 60kg/m steel rail, compliant with AREMA and UIC standards, is designed for heavy-haul freight and high-speed passenger lines. Manufactured from high-carbon steel with a tensile strength exceeding 880 MPa, the rails offer superior wear resistance and load-bearing capacity—critical for South Africa’s demanding mining and transcontinental freight corridors. Each 12-meter section was hot-rolled, quenched, and tempered to ensure dimensional precision and fatigue resistance under cyclic loading.

The order originated from a Johannesburg-based rail contractor upgrading the 1,067mm Cape Gauge network linking Gauteng’s industrial hubs to the Port of Durban. South Africa’s rail sector, managed primarily by Transnet, has prioritized track rehabilitation to reduce derailments and boost coal and iron ore export volumes. The 60kg rail replaces aging 48kg sections, increasing axle load capacity by 25% and extending track lifespan by an estimated 40%.

ZongXiang’s production facility in Zhengzhou leveraged automated rolling lines and non-destructive testing (ultrasonic and eddy current) to meet the client’s stringent quality requirements. Third-party inspection by SGS verified zero surface defects and full compliance with SANS 50025 specifications. The rails were bundled in 2-ton lifts, treated with anti-corrosion coating, and loaded into two 40-foot open-top containers at Qingdao Port.

Logistics posed challenges due to Red Sea shipping disruptions. ZongXiang rerouted the shipment via the Cape of Good Hope, adding 10 days but ensuring delivery within the 45-day contractual window. Incoterms® 2020 CFR Durban governed the transaction, with ZongXiang handling freight and insurance until discharge. Total lead time from order confirmation to arrival: 38 days.

The export underscores ZongXiang’s competitive edge: pricing 8–12% below European suppliers while maintaining ISO 9001-certified quality. The company also provided technical support, including rail drilling templates and fishplate specifications tailored to South African rolling stock. Post-delivery, ZongXiang dispatched engineers to oversee installation, ensuring proper cant and alignment for 22.5-ton axle loads.

This shipment builds on ZongXiang’s prior exports to Kenya (Mombasa–Nairobi SGR) and Zambia (Tazara Railway). The company now targets South Africa’s PRASA passenger rail modernization and the proposed 1,435mm Gautrain extension. With an annual capacity of 100,000 tons, ZongXiang is positioned to support Africa’s rail renaissance amid growing Chinese infrastructure investment under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The 20-ton consignment, though modest, signals robust demand for heavy-duty rail in a market where freight tonnage is projected to grow 4.8% annually through 2030. For South Africa, it means safer, more efficient railways—and for ZongXiang, a foothold in a continent hungry for reliable track solutions.