34 Refurbished Fuel Tankers Return to Service to Boost Botswana’s Energy Security

This report covers 34 refurbished fuel tankers with key details and context.

Botswana Railways has brought 34 refurbished fuel tankers back into service, a move expected to significantly boost the country’s fuel transportation capacity and strengthen energy security. The tankers, which had been out of service since 2018, were overhauled through a partnership with African Rail Company.

Botswana Oil Senior Manager for Hydrocarbon Sourcing, Mr Callaghan Motlaleng, said in an interview that the refurbished tankers would enhance the country’s ability to transport petroleum products efficiently through the rail network, providing an alternative mode of transportation. He noted that an operational internal rail tanker fleet would give Botswana greater control over fuel logistics and replenishment cycles.

The overhaul project is not expected to have a direct impact on regulated pump prices, but is intended to improve supply chain efficiency. Botswana Railways Director of Projects, Mr Thabo Gabanamotse, said each refurbished tanker has a carrying capacity of 55,000 litres, enabling a full train load to transport approximately 1.87 million litres of fuel. He added that a single train load could replace about 50 fuel trucks, easing road congestion and avoiding border delays.

The share of fuel imports transported by rail had dropped from 70% to below 20% following the withdrawal of tankers in 2018. Mr Gabanamotse said maintaining and rehabilitating fuel tankers expands the volume of petroleum products that can be transported by rail, supporting faster and more cost-effective movement of consignments.

Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority’s Communications Manager, Mr Goaba Mojakgomo, reiterated that the capitalisation of the project would not directly affect regulated pump prices.

Article source: allafrica.com | Image credit: DailyNews