Industry News

Chinese firms ink deal to construct $1.3bln railway line in Tanzania
Two Chinese companies have signed an agreement to construct a railway line in Tanzania to connect its main port to neighbouring countries.

France eager to bolster its partnership with Morocco
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.

Djibouti commences transformation of historical port to launch the East Africa International Special Business Zone
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 leaves CDC for TNPA
Mninawe Silinga has resigned as CEO of the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) to join Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) as CE.

Transnet says railway line refurbishment in PE bodes well for business
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.

Out with the old, in with the new: Transnet replaces ageing equipment
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.

The growing competition between Africa’s seaports
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.

5G Enabling The Digital Railway
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.

Durban’s bold plan to be Africa’s most liveable city by 2030
The revitalisation of Durban’s Point Waterfront is at the heart of eThekwini Municipality’s radical initiative to redevelop and regenerate the inner city.

BLOG SERIES: Latest developments on LIBOR discontinuation
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.

INTERVIEW SERIES: Transport Evolution World meets Lester Bouah
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.

Transnet signals intent to support domestic manufacture of rail despite global tender
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.

AfCFTA Secretariat commissioned in Accra as free trade is set to begin in January 2021
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, 1st in Africa, becomes 35th container port in the world
Tanger Med port has improved its international ranking becoming the 35th container port in the world, confirming thus its competitiveness as global logistic hub.

The missing links in Africa’s ports connectivity
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.

Côte d’Ivoire approves €400m project to create West African port hub
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.

Lagos to construct rail line to airport terminal for international passengers
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

BLOG SERIES: Amended JSE Listing Requirements and the CEO and CFO
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.

Sanral says it is ready to implement R30bn in projects
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) says it is ready to implement R30-billion worth of construction projects.

TPT awards contract for a logistics app to connect South Africa’s supply chain
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.

Transnet must go regional as Covid-19 takes toll globally, says CEO Portia Derby
In April Transnet Port Terminals said its port utilities were only half as busy during the coronavirus lockdown due to slump in demand.

Government assessing multi-billion rand Gautrain expansion
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.

Kenya plans 62-kilometres Kiambu to Thika road upgrade
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.

INTERVIEW SERIES: Transport Evolution World meets Col. Andrea Ciseau, PMAESA
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.

INTERVIEW SERIES: Transport Evolution World meets Kristof Waterschoot, Port of Antwerp International
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 signs a historic rolling stock supply agreement to deliver 300 freight wagons to Mozambican rail operator (CFM).
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.

BLOG SERIES: COVID-19: The impact on charter-party clauses and other operational implications
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.

Modernization milestones at Mombasa Port, East Africa’s regional hub
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.

UP, CSIR sign collaboration agreement on smart transport, cities
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.

Increasing infrastructure investment would boost South Africa’s potential growth, OECD survey asserts
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.

Durban Container Terminal takes delivery of more straddle carriers
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.

Railing up to a connected Africa – Ghana Investment Promotion Centre
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.

Closing the Gap: Encouraging more women to enter male-dominated industries
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.

Kenya in search of a consultancy firm for Nairobi Expressway Project
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.

Infrastructure at core of business’ R3.4-trillion economic recovery proposal
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.

Proposal to push AfCFTA implementation to January
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.

New Transnet Port Terminals chief on his ‘baptism of fire’
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 introduces decentralised operational model
Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has introduced a new operating model that will bring about greater efficiencies for customers, it says.

South African citrus industry eyes smoother logistics with new port operator chief
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.

Event Report: Coffee with the CEOs: Rail Industry in Ghana
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.

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

Supporting SA’s Events Industry, Supporting Thousands of Jobs
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.

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

CMA CGM taps into Africa’s economic advancement
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.

Ghana Signs MoU for development, project management, operations and maintenance of regional railway corridors and networks
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.

Port of Cape Town clearing backlogs
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 undertakes upgrades at various terminals
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.

BLOG SERIES: Poseidon Principles explained
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.

BLOG SERIES: Sale and lease back as an alternative financing method and IFRS 16 implications
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.

BLOG SERIES: Celebrating African Integration: What it means and why it matters
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 port terminal makes Southern African logistics hub
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.

Ghana Government signs €500m Western rail line deal
Government has signed a historic €500 million contract for the construction of sections of the Western Railway Line.

Ghana: Railways Ministry to Order 35 Trains in June
The Minister of Railway Development, Joe Ghartey has revealed that the Ministry will be ordering over 30 standard gauge trains in June this year.

Digital reforms for smooth sailing in African waters
Ocean trade which dominates 90 percent of African imports is tasting the success of digitalisation due to pandemic.

Trucking regulations harmonisation, digitalisation to aid Covid-19 fight, says World Bank
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.

SA outlines plan for R2.3trn building boom with a potential 1.8 million jobs created
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 commits to keeping ports open
Namibia will continue to keep its ports and harbours open to facilitate the free movement of commercial goods to its landlocked neighbours and beyond.

Land logistics the best thing for Africa – US transport expert
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.

DoT unveils plans for new auto terminal at Durban, branch line concessioning
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.

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

Security vs efficiency: smart ports in a post-COVID-19 era
As African ports pursue technological innovation to boost trade, new cybersecurity risks will emerge.

BLOG SERIES: Doing business in the Cayman Islands and what lies ahead
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.

BLOG SERIES: Transfer Pricing, Import Savings, and COVID-19
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.

BLOG SERIES: What can Africa do to reinvigorate its economic activity?
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.

Improvements seen at Port of Durban owing to decongestion task team
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

Ghana reports cargo traffic in ports unaffected by COVID-19 restrictions
Ghana Maritime Authority says there has been no noticeable decrease in shipping arriving at Ghana’s ports since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

8 MINUTES WITH THE CE: Ralph Mills, Transnet Engineering
Kelly Easton, Programme Director at Transport Evolution speaks to newly appointed Chief Executive of Transnet Engineering, Ralph Mills on his plans for transforming Transnet Engineering to take its rightful place in the rail domain and in the national economy.

U.S. Throws Down Gauntlet to China With Mozambique LNG Loan
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.

BLOG SERIES: Decision-making in the face of uncertainty
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.

A message from Transnet Port Terminals
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 […]

Nigeria: Port Concessionaires Donate N700 Million to Support Govt’s COVID-19 Fight
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 […]

AfCFTA delay: A bane to Africa’s $3.4 trillion economic bloc
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.

South African rail manufacturing sector needs to reinvent itself
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 […]

How cargo will play key role in economic recovery after corona
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 unveils sweeping changes at the top
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 Sets Its Sights On the Horn of Africa
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 […]

Tullow Suspends Trucking of Turkana Crude Oil Due to Bad Roads
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 […]

Transnet moves ahead with plans to develop R2.5bn Gauteng port
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 […]
Nagaff Decries 40% Cargo Charges By Aviation Handling Companies, Seeks Shippers Council’s Intervention
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, has decried the hike in cargo charges by the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, and Skyway Aviation Handling Company, SAHCO, which it says has risen by as much as 40 per cent. In a chat with Vanguard Maritime Report, President of the Association, Increase Uche, […]
Smart infrastructure that meets broad needs crucial for smart cities
Developing infrastructure that caters to the needs of society is fundamental to the creation of smart cities, which are not the result of new buildings, but of the increasingly critical role that technology plays in making urban buildings smart, says Johnson Control sub-Saharan Africa GM Archibald Makatini. Smart city technology, green building solutions and […]

Reopening of N2 Umhlatuze River bridge ‘by no means a small step’
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 […]

Promoters of Maputo and Richards Bay LNG terminals insist projects can be complementary
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 […]

New maritime school on the cards for Durban
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. […]

Grindrod to invest R175m in AutoPort in KwaZulu-Natal
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 […]

Ghana signs rail revitalisation agreement
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 […]
AfDB extends $36.7m loan for road rehabilitation project
Malawi has secured a $36.7-million concessional loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the rehabilitation of a 55 km road that connects the districts of Ntcheu and Machinga, in the central and Machinga and eastern regions of the country respectively. The Nsipe road rehabilitation project will be implemented as part of the Nacala […]