Freight Services

Botswana Railways’ (BR) Freight Service is the country's leading transport operator of bulk goods. The service was established way before the 1987 handover to Botswana Government by the National Railways of Zimbabwe. BR’s strategically laid rail network, coupled with good relationships that exist between ourselves and other rail operators such as Transnet Freight Rail (formerly Spoornet) in South Africa and  the National Railways of Zimbabwe, makes our freight service the most convenient, reliable and cost effective mode of transport to use for moving bulk commodities. This does not only apply to imports and exports but also for transit freight within the SADC region and through to sea ports.

Our Freight service targets bulk commodities that may be “operationally challenging” for transporting by road. Currently the bulk commodities that we transport are driven by the mining industry, such as; copper (from BCL mine and Tati Nickel), soda ash and salt (from Botash), coal from Morupule Colliery and fuel (from fuel companies into Botswana). With the ongoing mineral explorations taking place in Botswana and the discovery of various mineral deposits in certain parts of the country (mainly coal), opportunities are there to grow our business.

Customer Service

We aspire to provide total logistics solutions that are in line with our customers’ changing needs and in accordance with global trends. Hence our commitment to continuously look at ways of improving service to our customers. To this effect, we introduced Key Accounts Executives whose main roles are to manage relationships with our major customers. Their day to day activities are to ensure that customer consignments are moved timeously, wagons are placed as per customer requirements and provide regular updates to customers on the position of their consignments.

Commodities we Transport

• Cement
• Coal
• Copper
• Soda Ash
• Salt
• Fuel
• Grain and
• Other consolidated freight

What you Need to Know about Moving Bulk Freight

• There is a minimum weight (in tons) per wagon, the more you move the cheaper it gets.
• To avoid delays, it is important to move a full train which comprise of (35 - 40 wagons). This particularly applies to cross border trains.
• It is cheaper to move your commodities by rail over long distances; the rate per ton per kilometer is lower.
• It is safer and secure to move your goods by rail.
• A service plan is drawn based on customer requirements. In order for the plan to be drawn, the customer will have to supply us with the all details.

Open an Account with Us

You can benefit from Botswana Railways freight service by opening an account for regular movement of bulk commodities between Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Botswana Railways has standing agreements with Transnet Freight Rail and the National Railways of Zimbabwe on commodity movement.  This allows you to open an account and pay for all railway administrations at a central point.

It is easy to open an account with BR!  The process is quick and it is hassle free!

To find out more about our reliable and cost effective freight service, please call any Customer Service Centre near you between 07h30 and 16h30 week-days and 07h30 to 10h30 on Saturdays.

Alternatively you can contact our Marketing Department at +267 4717136/ 4711375 or send an email to marketing@botrail.bw.

Tariffs and Conditions of Carriage

For enquiries on tariffs and conditions of carriage, please contact your nearest Botswana Railways Customer Service Centre between 07h30 and 16h30 week-days and 07h30 to 10h30 on Saturdays.