The business, societal and environmental benefits of operating a truck fleet according to Road Transport Management System (RTMS) principles are universally appreciated. Whether it’s moving coal, sugar cane, timber or hazardous materials, truck fleets operating within the RTMS framework not only set the right example for the transport industry but also help make South Africa’s supply chain more attractive to international trade. Recently, Engen Petroleum became the nation’s first oil company to achieve fleet-wide RTMS certification.
According to Bonnie Moyo, National Transport and Logistics Manager at Engen: “Achieving RTMS certification for Engen’s national fleet is a testament to our unwavering commitment to safety, operational excellence, and compliance. This certification strengthens our ability to transport dangerous goods safely and responsibly while ensuring we play our part in making South Africa’s roads safer for all users.”
The RTMS certification handover ceremony took place towards the end of January at Engen’s KwaZulu-Natal Regional Office and was attended by Chris Stretch, Director of Freight Transport at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport.
Stretch congratulated and commended Engen on its benchmark achievement: “The government recognises and fully supports initiatives like RTMS, which contribute significantly to road safety and responsible fleet management. Engen’s leadership in achieving RTMS certification sets a powerful example for the broader transport industry.”
Engen’s Transport Compliance Officer, Zeenett Naidoo stated: “RTMS is more than just a certification for us—it is a structured, data-driven approach to fleet safety and efficiency. This achievement reflects the dedication of our team in maintaining the highest transport safety standards.”
Engen Petroleum’s RTMS certification journey was overseen and guided by JC Auditors whose team conducted rigorous audits at each of Engen’s regional depots across various provinces, ensuring compliance with stringent safety, operational, and risk management requirements.
JC Auditors, with 18 years of RTMS auditing experience, witnessed first-hand the tangible commitment of the Engen team throughout the certification process.
According to Oliver Naidoo, Managing Director of JC Auditors: “Engen’s RTMS certification is a significant milestone, particularly in the transport of dangerous goods. By securing certification across its entire fleet, Engen has demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting safer roads and best practices in fleet management.”
Much to be gained with RTMS certification
RTMS is a voluntary self-regulation standard, supported by the Department of Transport and various key industry associations and stakeholders, focused on enhancing road safety, vehicle maintenance, driver wellness, and load management, Naidoo explains.
“Over the past two decades, South African transporters have seen substantial benefits from RTMS certification, including reductions in accidents and incidents, improved payload optimisation, enhanced vehicle utilisation leading to fewer breakdowns, reductions in high-risk driving behaviours (e.g. unsafe speeds, harsh acceleration/braking), minimised driver fatigue through structured monitoring and interventions, and focused preventive maintenance with case studies showing a notable reduction in crashes,” Naidoo said.
RTMS requirements align closely with Engen’s Road Transport Safety Operating Guidelines (RTSOG), which govern the company’s dangerous goods transport management system, stated Moyo. “RTSOG ensures that Engen’s transport operations adhere to the highest safety and regulatory standards, reinforcing the company’s proactive approach to risk mitigation in fuel distribution.
“As part of the certification process, JC Auditors applied key South African National Standards (SANS), including SANS 10231, which provides guidelines for the transport of dangerous goods by road. These standards formed a critical part of the assessment, ensuring that Engen’s operations comply with best practices for hazardous material transport.”
With road safety a national priority, “JC Auditors continues to promote RTMS as a key component in improving South Africa’s supply chain. Safe roads allow for efficient transport operations, benefiting the broader economy by enhancing supply chain reliability,” Naidoo concluded.
ENDS
