Industry News

To create a transformed and sustainable world-class ports system, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has launched its new operational model (OM) structure so that it may “stimulate a transformed maritime economy through adaptable infrastructure that is fit-for-purpose”.

The port cities of Cape Town, Mossel Bay, Gqeberha, Durban and Richards Bay are scheduled to receive 20 passenger vessels during the cruise season, from November to the end of May, State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) said on November 24.

African mobility fintech, Moove has announced a partnership with e-logistics company, Lori Systems to bridge the financing gap for Africa’s trucking and logistics industry. The partnership will focus on delivering access to affordable financing for transporter companies and individual drivers, where penetration for truck financing is lower than one percent.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its September 2021 data for global air cargo markets. The data shows that demand continues to be well above pre-crisis levels and that capacity constraints persist.

With agricultural bulk commodities such as maize, wheat and soya beans re-emerging as a major focus for the Durban Agribulk Terminal, an investment of more than R230-million has resulted in the acquisition of two ship unloaders.

Several months ago, I warned that the crisis in container ships could jeopardise Christmas by leaving retailers without enough goods on their shelves. Since then, there have been similar fears all over the media, not only due to shipping problems but also shortages of lorry drivers and unavailable products. As we approach November, the worst may be coming to the worst.

The harbour and offshore services industry should consider ramping up their services to ships passing the South African coast, to about 10% of the total passing traffic, where every ship serviced has a minimum spend of about $10 000, says independent tug and offshore vessel operator Offshore Maritime Services GM Godfrey Needham.

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has appointed Nompumelelo Dweba-Kwetana as the new manager of the Port of Durban.

South Africa has the best rail infrastructure in Africa. However, rail (freight and passenger) and port capacity shortages remain a severe constraint in domestic and regional trade, even in the currently constrained business environment.

The South African Government views the country’s ports and terminals as key engines for economic growth. South Africa is situated on one of the busiest international sea routes‚ critical to international maritime transportation‚ and its geographical location presents a huge opportunity for investing in a diversified maritime market.

South African Airways (SAA), which returned to the skies last week after an 18-month hiatus, is signing a memorandum of cooperation with Kenya Airways with a long-term goal of creating a pan-African airline group.

The South African government’s proposed structural reforms to the rail sector, which will see private rail operators operating on the country’s core rail network, will breathe new life into an industry that is currently under severe pressure, says industry body African Rail Industry Association (Aria).

Imperial Logistics (Imperial) and Sasol South Africa (Sasol) have entered into an agreement to collaborate in exploring options and solutions for improving freight sustainability and efficiency in southern Africa. The two companies will also be evaluating potential cross-border collaboration.

More than 150 maritime logistics roleplayers, representing the entire maritime value chain, including shipping, cargo, energy, finance, ports and infrastructure, have said that the full decarbonisation of international shipping is urgent and achievable.

According to the latest Ctrack Freight Transport Index, the overall logistics sector continues to show huge growth with year-on-year increases of 26.4 percent.

Growing transshipments and improving new-vehicle exports from South Africa have seen the Durban Car Terminal set a new record in August, with the facility handling 54 520 fully-built units in a single month.

The current target date for allowing third-party operators to participate in the rail-freight sector is August next year, says Dr Sean Phillips, head of the National Treasury’s Operation Vulindlela unit.

Ports and logistics operator Grindrod is positioning itself to take part in the private-sector participation (PSP) opportunities to be created by government in the rail and ports sectors, says Grindrod Freight Services CEO Xolani Mbambo.

A new initiative championed by the Commercial Transport Academy (CTA) will aim to empower almost a thousand women in the transport sector.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) will become an independent subsidiary of Transnet.

A new era in trade and export has begun and the traders, logistics operators and ports of KwaZulu-Natal are in pole position to take up new opportunities. Not only is the province strategically located on the Indian Ocean but it already has excellent infrastructure which is being upgraded and improved.

Last week, I visited the Port of Durban to see for myself the work being done to make the port more efficient and competitive.

The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says the development of the railway sector is at the heart of government and it is for this reason that government is mobilizing $2 billion (two billion dollars) for the development of railway infrastructure and services.

Grindrod aims to have its logistics hub in Palma, in northern Mozambique, “up and running” by the end of the first half of this year, says Grindrod Freight Services CEO Xolani Mbambo.

State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has appointed the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) as an implementation agent for a construction programme to ensure the Ngqura liquid bulk terminal is operational before the Port of Port Elizabeth liquid bulk facility is closed on December 31, 2021.

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has published its priority projects, valued at R23-billion, for delivery in the next ten years as part of its contribution to an infrastructure-led economic recovery.

Since April 2019, the IMO has made it a mandatory requirement for ports to implement systems for electronic data exchange of pre-arrival maritime information.

Is it too soon to be optimistic about an economic revival in East Africa following the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the global economy?

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC), developer and operator of the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ), announced that it welcomes the move by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to relocate its head office to the Port of Ngqura

DURBAN is to be developed as a hub port for the southern hemisphere and Ngqura port in the Eastern Cape as the container terminal of choice.

The African Rail Industry Association rail infrastructure has been a neglected area of infrastructure investment for decades, lagging behind areas such as energy.

THE GOVERNMENT has committed R791.2 billion over the medium term towards infrastructure investment, as the country’s dams, bridges and railway lines that have supported the economy for decades, were either in need of repair or replacement, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said yesterday.

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) for 2021 against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Transport Evolution series of events bring together transport authorities (port, rail and road) from across the African continent, as well as public and private sector industry experts with the purpose of identifying opportunities, understanding challenges, finding solutions and ultimately doing business. Our events are hosted in each country by that particular port and rail […]

The Halifax Port Authority is taking a major step forward in digitalisation of their operations. They have awarded Saab a contract to supply a Port Management Information System (PMIS). The system will streamline port operations, allowing port departments, 80 service providers, customers and other members of the port community to further improve their collaboration.

A new report launched today by the World Bank and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) shows that better digital collaboration between private and public entities across the maritime supply chain will result in significant efficiency gains, safer and more resilient supply chains, and lower emissions.

The Economic Regulation of Transport Bill, which details the framework for the envisaged regulator, is currently before Parliament.

Ghana has taken delivery of sub-Saharan Africa’s first offshore receiving terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG), allowing it to start delivering LNG to customers in the first quarter of this year, the terminal’s operator said.

Dubai-based port operator DP World has signed a 20-year concession agreement with the Angolan Government to run the Multipurpose Terminal (MPT) at the Port of Luanda, Angola’s largest port.

Two Chinese companies have signed an agreement to construct a railway line in Tanzania to connect its main port to neighbouring countries.

The French Minister for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness reiterated from Casablanca France’s strong desire to raise its economic relations with Morocco to an even higher level and to exploit the many existing opportunities.

In a landmark ceremony, held under the auspices of HE President of the Republic of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, Djibouti inaugurated the regeneration project to turn the Historical Port of Djibouti into an international business district.

Mninawe Silinga has resigned as CEO of the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) to join Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) as CE.

State-owned freight utility Transnet says a R10-million refurbishment on a second railway line into the Port of Port Elizabeth’s (PE’s) container terminal is unlocking substantial business potential for the Eastern Cape.

The latest batch of new operational equipment has been delivered to the Transnet Port Terminals. Transnet said on Monday that the latest batch included 15 haulers for the Durban Multipurpose Terminal (MPT) and Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT), each receiving seven and eight haulers respectively.

Virtually every port in Sub-Saharan Africa has embarked on elaborate initiatives to boost relatively low capacity, as demand for cargo handling is expected to soar in the coming years with the growth of their economies. It’s already estimated that the overall container demands in these ports is expected to exceed the current total capacity between 2025 and 2030.

Transport infrastructure, particularly railways, will play a crucial role in realising the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. According to the African Union (AU), the agreement has the potential to create a continental free-trade zone with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD$3.4 trillion. That said, it will require solid, reliable transport infrastructure for that to become a reality.

The revitalisation of Durban’s Point Waterfront is at the heart of eThekwini Municipality’s radical initiative to redevelop and regenerate the inner city.

The end of an era is fast approaching and after 2021 the FCA will no longer require from LIBOR panel banks to publish quotes for the various LIBOR tenors.

Transport Evolution World speaks to Lester Bouah, newly appointed Senior Specialist of Investment Promotion and Aftercare at the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation.

State-owned freight logistics group Transnet has signalled its intention to support the localisation of rail manufacture, but is simultaneously proceeding with a global tender for the supply of 60 kg a metre of head hardened rail, which it describes as an interim solution for meeting its continuous replacement requirements.

A flagship project of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the African Continental Free Trade Area creates a market of 1.2 billion people with a combined GDP of $3 trillion.

Tanger Med port has improved its international ranking becoming the 35th container port in the world, confirming thus its competitiveness as global logistic hub.

Since Africa is home to many developing countries, including 16 which are landlocked, it is faced with immense pressure to improve its connectivity to global trade.

Work is set to begin on the expansion of the port of Abidjan in the Côte d’Ivoire after an agreement was signed between French logistics company Bolloré, Dutch port operator APM Terminals, and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the contractor that will carry out the work.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has disclosed that the state will develop a rail infrastructure to complement the world-class bus terminal which is under construction to shuttle air passengers to and from the airport terminal

The corporate governance principles contained in King IV (King Code) are in general voluntary. However, from 31 December 2020, organisations will be compelled to disclose additional information regarding corporate governance practices in their annual reports.

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) says it is ready to implement R30-billion worth of construction projects.

Terminal operator Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) recently awarded a contract to global technology company TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) to develop a logistics platform that will enable the company and the broader industry to integrate into the logistics supply chain.

In April Transnet Port Terminals said its port utilities were only half as busy during the coronavirus lockdown due to slump in demand.

The government is assessing the planned multi-billion rand expansion of the Gautrain rapid rail project in terms of its new infrastructure development methodology and is in the process of engaging with stakeholders about the project.

The government of Kenya through the state-owned Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) plans to undertake an Sh10.78 billion Kiambu to Thika road upgrade project that will see the upgrade of 62-kilometers of road connecting Kiambu road and Thika superhighway at B30/A2.

Kelly Easton, Programme Director at Transport Evolution speaks to the Secretary General of PMAESA, Col Andrea Ciseau on the current status of East African ports and the impact of Covid-19 on the sector.

Kelly Easton, Programme Director at Transport Evolution speaks to the Managing Director of the Port of Antwerp International, Kristof Waterschoot on how ports internationalise their knowledge and experience.

Transnet Engineering and Caminhos De Ferros De Mocambique (CFM), a Mozambican state owned railway operator signed a rolling stock supply agreement valued at over R400 million as part of efforts to strengthen regional integration and the revitalization of the Mozambique railway industries. At the heart of this agreement is the manufacture, supply and delivery of 300 high- sided Gondola type freight wagons to CFM.

Covid-19 was declared as a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation on 11th March 2020, with nations all over the world taking extreme measures to contain or delay the spread of the virus.

The African shipping and maritime sectors have largely remained undeveloped compared to the rest of the world, despite hosting mineral rich-countries that the industrialized world depends on to run its industries.

The University of Pretoria (UP) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), have signed a memorandum of agreement to collaborate in the areas of smart transport, cities and environments.

Higher levels of infrastructure investment are needed to increase South Africa’s potential growth, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD’s) latest survey of South Africa asserts.

The Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 has taken delivery of a further 13 electric straddle carriers, improving the availability and reliability of equipment across waterside, landside and rail operations.

Urban rail on the continent is vital in providing a very efficient alternative to transporting large volumes of passengers and freight at high frequencies and reasonable cost. Rallying with this notion, Ghana has embarked on intense rehabilitation and development of its national rail network.

Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, of the 1,339 million people employed by the South African construction industry, only 11% were female. While the number of men still far exceeds that of women in the sector, female representation in the construction industry has increased by 7% over the past decade. Similarly, in the sub-Saharan African transport industry, only 8% of employees are female – a number which is steadily increasing as the years go by, albeit slowly. Nevertheless, these are welcome changes.

The national government of the Republic of Kenya through the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works represented by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), a state corporation established under the Kenya Roads Act and charged with the mandate to manage, develop, rehabilitate and maintain national roads is in search of a consultancy firm for the ongoing Nairobi Expressway Project.

Business for South Africa (B4SA) released an economic recovery strategy paper on July 10 that includes a list of 12 priority initiatives, many infrastructure-related, which the formation argues could bolster gross domestic product (GDP) by R1-trillion, create up to 1.5-million jobs and increase yearly tax revenues by R100-billion in the coming three years.

The executive secretary of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), has proposed to African heads of state that trading under this framework starts in January 2021, according to an official.

Newly appointed Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) CEO Velile Dube, who officially assumed the role on July 1, acknowledges that his first few weeks were nothing short of a “baptism of fire”.

Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has introduced a new operating model that will bring about greater efficiencies for customers, it says.

South Africa’s citrus industry body is hopeful for an end to the issues that have plagued the
country’s ports over recent years now that the port operator has appointed a new chief.

Transport Evolution World recently organised the second episode of its new online series, “Coffee With the CEO”, this time exploring the rail industry in Ghana.

The foundation stone has been laid for the construction of a US$20m inland port in Tanzania.

South Africa hosts approximately one million delegates at business events every year, supporting over 250,000 jobs directly and indirectly. But with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, events have come to a standstill, affecting both the economy and the people they employ.

APEC, the educational branch of Port of Antwerp, is organising port seminars and online port courses for port professionals all over the world.

With African nations seeing a record growth rate of 5% over the past decade CMA CGM has turned its focus to the continent for investment. Some of the key focuses for CMA CGM are the digital transformation in the continent, the increase in shipping traffic in Africa and transport services in the African market.

Signature of Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Ghana, Thelo DB Proprietary Limited and Transtech Consult Limited for development, project management, operations and maintenance of regional railway corridors and networks in the Republic of Ghana.

The Port of Cape Town is ramping up operations and reducing shipping backlogs caused by the impact of Covid-19 on the port’s human resources.

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has prepared for a 13% increase in citrus volumes this year, with new equipment being set up to boost operations at the Port Elizabeth, Durban and Ngqura container terminals.

The concerns over the impact of the shipping industry on the environment have intensified over the last few years with numerous initiatives being undertaken by various stakeholders.

The turmoil in the shipping and financial markets since 2008 has resulted in a significant decrease in funds available for borrowing and has led shipping companies to seek alternative methods of financing for the acquisition of vessels such as the sale and leaseback option.

Trade and mobility have defined Africa from time immemorial. When Mansa Musa roamed the continent in his famous trade caravans, his exploits represented a beacon of prosperity and progress to the rest of the world.

NAMIBIA’s new container terminal situated in the coastal town of Walvis Bay has placed the country in a more competitive position as it can now accommodate larger vessels, making it a preferred destination by many countries.

Government has signed a historic €500 million contract for the construction of sections of the Western Railway Line.

The Minister of Railway Development, Joe Ghartey has revealed that the Ministry will be ordering over 30 standard gauge trains in June this year.

Ocean trade which dominates 90 percent of African imports is tasting the success of digitalisation due to pandemic.

The World Bank Group advises ports to rapidly increase their digitalisation efforts over the short to medium term – one to six months – in an effort to reduce the frequency of people- and paper-based contact, says World Bank Group global lead for transport connectivity and regional integration, Martin Humphreys.

South Africa’s government unveiled a plan to galvanise R2.3 trillion in new infrastructure investment over the next decade that could create more than 1.8 million jobs and revive an economy battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Namibia will continue to keep its ports and harbours open to facilitate the free movement of commercial goods to its landlocked neighbours and beyond.

Logistics gateways and transportation corridors are by far the best formula for success in Africa.
This is according to American-based transport and logistics specialist Franco Eleuteri who says that intermodal rail can provide the backbone of a plan focused on economic development on the continent.

The Department of Transport (DoT) intends to take over the functioning of struggling integrated public transport networks (IPTNs) in five cities, with six cities currently operating these systems, says Department of Transport director-general Alec Moemi.

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) administrator Bongisizwe Mpondo on May 29 announced new permanent executive appointments to the State-owned rail entity.

As African ports pursue technological innovation to boost trade, new cybersecurity risks will emerge.

The Cayman Islands continues to be recognised globally as a major international financial centre. Being the world’s leading domicile for offshore hedge funds, the second largest captive insurance centre and a world leader in structured finance, the jurisdiction stands as the only offshore international financial centre to possess such breadth and depth in financial services.

Many businesses around the globe are facing significant financial challenges due to COVID-19. Disruption in the global supply chain, mandatory quarantine/lockdowns, and significant increases in unemployment rates are contributing to changes in consumption patterns, thereby causing cash flow issues for many businesses.

It started as a very promising year for Africa. Having officially inaugurated a landmark continental agreement, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA, in July 2019, following a record time for its ratification, and having selected Ghana to host the Secretariat of the African AfCFTA, expectations were high for a successful start of intra-African trading in July 2020, accelerating regional integration and economic development for the continent of 1.3 billion people, with its estimated GDP of $2.5 trillion.

Industry stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the progress made by a special task team set up to tackle traffic pressure and congestion in the Port of Durban’s Bayhead Precinct and surrounding road networks

U.S. President Donald Trump’s sparring with China is playing out in an unlikely new arena: the sandy turf of northern Mozambique, one of the world’s poorest countries.

As the world is getting to a new order, some countries are now working out how to get back into business as usual (BAU). In Australia, the decisions around the opening up of the economy are arguably more difficult than those preceeding the shut down.

Covid 19 has struck South Africa and exposed weaknesses in our healthcare system, compromised our economy and negatively impacted our retail sector. As TPT we take it upon ourselves to change the course of our countries trajectory. As an essential service provider, we continue to transport health supplies and retail products through our container sector […]

Port concessionaires under the aegis of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) have collectively donated the sum of N700million to the federal government to support the country’s effort to curtail the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). STOAN Chairman, Vicky Haastrup, who disclosed this in Lagos, said no effort should be spared towards […]

According to local media reports, the newly elected Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) secretariat, Wamkele Mene, revealed that the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement will not begin on July 1st, 2020 as planned due to disruptions caused by the global pandemic.

Despite South Africa having a strong presence on the railway scene – claiming almost 30% of the continent’s kilometres and more than 60% of its rail freight – the country’s rail manufacturing sector has not leveraged this position to lead in the manufacturing of rolling stock on the continent, says RailRoad Association of South Africa […]

Kenya is currently going through a bruising cycle. From the sporadic inflation movement in 2019, to the current Covid-19 pandemic that is yet to fully show its full impact on not only the local economy but also that of the continent and globe at large. Already, unemployment is on the rise, and the economy is […]

Transnet group CEO Portia Derby has made further senior management changes at the state-owned port and freight rail operator in another move to clean-up its governance structures compromised at the height of State Capture. In an internal memo to staff dated 30 April 2020, which has been seen by Business Maverick, Derby and the Transnet […]

Turkey is building on its already-strong relationship with Somalia as it accepts an invitation to explore for oil in its seas. Ankara has spent years building trust in the region as it seeks to increase its influence. Turkey’s influence in the Horn of Africa is back in the spotlight, following the announcement that Somalia has […]

Nairobi — Tullow oil has suspended the trucking of Turkana crude oil citing severe damages by adverse weather conditions that were experienced in the last quarter of 2019.   In a Trading Statement & Operational Update released Wednesday, the company said the trucking procedures are currently halted and will resume construction once the roads are […]

The public-private partnership is expected to attract R20 billion in private sector investment over the next 20 years.   ‌ Ports and logistics parastatal Transnet is moving ahead with plans to develop a new ‘inland port’ in Gauteng and on Wednesday announced the winning bidder that will develop and operate the R2.5 billion Tambo Springs […]

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has praised the completed upgrade of the Umhlatuze River bridge between the Mtunzini toll plaza and Empangeni, saying it is “by no means a small step for road users”.   Mbalula officially opened the upgraded bridge on Friday, where he emphasised the importance of infrastructure in connecting communities.   “Every gravel […]

The promoters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals at Maputo, in Mozambique, and Richards Bay, in South Africa, insist that the two proposed projects can be complementary rather than competitive as there is sufficient existing demand and growth potential in the region to support both initiatives. In early December, Total and Gigajoule signed a […]

Tender issued for building of new maritime school   SOUTH AFRICA, Durban: Plans to build a dedicated maritime-focused school in Durban were revealed this week as the Development Bank of South Africa released a request for proposals for the construction of the school on the site of an existing school in the Umlazi District.   […]

In line with its strategy to develop and provide logistical solutions on various corridors.   Grindrod, the JSE-listed freight logistics and financial services company, has commenced construction of a R175 million 270 000m2 state-of-the art AutoPort just off the N3 in Camperdown between Pinetown and Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal.   The R105 million first phase of […]

A rail revitalisation agreement has been inked between Ghana Railway Company Limited(GRCL) and State Owned Logistics Company Transnet to restore the Western Railway line in Ghana.   The signing ceremony was led by Dr Popo Molefe and witnesed by the President of Ghana Nana Akufo Addo and the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa. The […]