In respect of Transnet's rail operations, Transnet owned almost 21 000 km of railway track, and wished to resuscitate branch lines for usage by interested parties. Its freight rail business comprised three subdivisions, of which the biggest was general freight (excluding iron and coal export lines). On the ports side, the National Port Authority (NPA) was the owner of eight commercial ports and operated all the container terminals in the country. Pipelines were a major investment providing security for inland markets for the next 70 years.