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Logistics News

Michelin research shows how transporters can reduce total cost of ownership

By: Darren Parker 10th May 2024 Tyre manufacturer Michelin has launched its latest research focused on total cost of ownership, which is aimed at shifting the mindsets of South African transporters to run more efficient and sustainable fleets. The ‘2023 Decarbonising South Africa’s Transport Sector’ outlines that transport is... →

Air freight leads recovery in logistics sector in March – Ctrack index

By: Irma Venter 10th May 2024 After a notable decline in the first two months of the year, the Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (Ctrack TFI) in March increased to an index level of 119.7. This is an increase of 1.1% compared with February, and just marginally up on a year ago. →

TPT to continue to invest in Durban Pier 2 while legal spat over private partner plays out

By: Terence Creamer 8th May 2024 South Africa’s Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) says it will continue to invest in Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 while legal proceedings around its selection of International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI), of the Philippines, for a 25-year partnership at what is South Africa’s largest... →

Port of Durban container operations

New rail-focused logistics organisation launched

By: Schalk Burger 7th May 2024 A new logistics industry body the Multimodal Inland Port Association (MIPA), formed by organisations in the transportation sector, has been launched to enhance logistics performance, reduce costs and boost efficiency. The association is dedicated to improving Southern Africa's supply chain.... →

SA’s largest boat builder eyes growing share of global ocean-cruising catamaran market

By: Irma Venter 3rd May 2024 It’s easy to overlook the sheer magnitude of Robertson and Caine’s (R&C’s) operations in Cape Town. The company’s ten boat-building factories and assembly lines are dotted across the city – from Woodstock to Paarden Island to Montagu Gardens, with the latter also housing a substantial warehouse.... →

Can South Africa turn around 30 years of real economy underperformance?

By: Terence Creamer 26th April 2024 In this essay, Terence Creamer reflects on the factors that have shaped South Africa’s real-economy sectors of manufacturing, mining and agriculture over the past 30 years and considers ways to end the economy’s persistent underperformance →

Nedbank looks to investment banking for growth under new CEO

By: Bloomberg 11th April 2024 South Africa’s Nedbank Group is hoping to hire more investment bankers as it seeks to take advantage of a surge of deals in renewable energy, water and logistics in Africa’s most developed economy. With the bank’s home country in the throes of an electricity crisis and intensifying water... →

Photo by Bloomberg
Nedbank outgoing CEO Mike Brown

Newlyn launches R3.4bn multimodal rail terminal at Durban port

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 5th April 2024 Port logistics company the Newlyn Group on April 4 unveiled the Newlyn PX Bayhead rail terminal, strategically located next to the Port of Durban, aimed at opening intra-Africa and local trade and investment opportunities. “This is a major milestone for South Africa and showcases what can be... →

An image showing the Newlyn Group unveileng the Newlyn PX Bayhead rail terminal

Newlyn PX Bayhead rail terminal launch

DP World wins big as bpSA outsources its secondary transport ops

By: Irma Venter 4th April 2024 DP World will take over bp Southern Africa’s (bpSA’s) Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Rustenburg logistics operations as the energy group has opted to outsource its secondary transport. In another deal, Makwande Supply & Distribution – a beneficiary of bpSA’s enterprise development... →

Taelo Mojapelo

Ctrack transport, freight index shows deterioration in all but one of six sectors tracked

By: Irma Venter 29th March 2024 After increasing somewhat in December, the Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (TFI) declined notably in January to a level of 119.3 – a drop of 2.1%, compared with December’s 121.9. The extent of the weakness is almost similar to the pressure the sector experienced during the KwaZulu-Natal... →

Richards Bay Multipurpose Terminal takes delivery of cargo handling equipment

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 26th March 2024 The Richards Bay Multipurpose Terminal (MPT) has taken delivery of new cargo handling equipment, aiding the loading of export coal, magnetite, chrome and pig iron aboard calling Cape-sized vessels. The terminal is leasing 75 dumpers and 35 payloaders for 12 months – a temporary measure after an... →

New equipment

Unitrans upgraded centre of excellence to enhance African clients' supply chains

By: Schalk Burger 25th March 2024 Logistics and supply chain company Unitrans has launched its upgraded centre of excellence (COE) to drive improvements in operating cost efficiencies and safety for drivers and vehicles, which are primary considerations for any logistics or freight company. “This state-of-the-art facility will... →

Unitrans Solutions executive Jacques Greeff

Grindrod to spend big at Maputo’s Matola drybulk terminal to grow capacity

By: Irma Venter 22nd March 2024 Ports and logistics group Grindrod is set to invest big in its Matola drybulk terminal in Mozambique. Announcing Grindrod’s financial results for the year ended December 31 earlier this month, CEO Xolani Mbambo said the JSE-listed logistics group would spend the bulk of its R2.5-billion capital... →

Europe’s energy demand boosts Africa’s importance

By: Trent Roebeck 22nd March 2024 Ongoing geopolitical tensions and conflicts – such as the war between Ukraine and Russia, and trade tensions between China and the US – are increasing the trend of European countries investing in countries on the African continent for new and/or replacement energy sources, but also manufacturing... →

An image DHL Global Forwarding MEA CEO Amadou Diallo

AMADOU DIALLO The DHL Global Forwarding MEA CEO is confident that Africa will continue to remain of high importance in the future energy transition

Cape Town MPT records 43% volume increase in agri-bulk

By: Sabrina Jardim 18th March 2024 The Cape Town Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) has increased volume throughput in the agricultural bulk sector by 43% in the year-to-date. In January, the terminal handled 25 704 t of agricultural bulk commodities, an increase of 72% compared with the same period last year. The Cape Town MPT handles,... →

Thirty-one countries to start trading under AfCFTA Agreement this year

By: Sabrina Jardim 18th March 2024 Amid the increasing importance of intra-African trade, 31 countries are expected to start trading under the African Continental FreeTrade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement by the end of the year, South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition Trade Branch Africa bilateral economic relations... →

Company invests in driver, vehicle management systems

By: Halima Frost 15th March 2024 Specialist transport group Unitrans continues to invest heavily in various event-based in-vehicle management systems (IVMS) to ensure the safety of its drivers, fleet and cargo in its chemical and petrochemicals bulk transport supply chain businesses. “Owing to the significant volatility of its... →

A unitrans tanker at a depot in the setting sun

Unitrans chemicals and explosives transport head Bryce Varner and Unitrans business development: petroleum head Ray Singh discuss compliance and its fleet. Camerawork: Halima Frost. Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 21.02.2024

Broad-based weakness evident in the logistics sector – Ctrack index

By: Irma Venter 12th March 2024 After increasing somewhat in December, the Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (TFI) declined notably in January to a level of 119.3 – a drop of 2.1% compared with December’s 121.9. The extent of the weakness is almost similar to the pressure the sector experienced during the KwaZulu-Natal looting... →

GDP figures cap decade of negative GDP per capita growth – BLSA

By: Schalk Burger 11th March 2024 While the gross domestic product (GDP) growth for the fourth quarter of 2023 was 0.1%, growth was negative in terms of GDP per capita, given that population growth is outpacing it. "We have been trending lower since 2013, and have now crowned a decade of negative per capita growth. South Africans... →

Locomotives used by Transnet Freight Rail

Mgojo says collaborative efforts will enable Transnet to report higher volumes than initially forecast

By: Terence Creamer 8th March 2024 Business Unity South Africa president Mxolisi Mgojo reports that the collaboration between business and government to turn around the performance of Transnet could result in the struggling State-owned freight logistics group moving significantly more volumes in the year to March than was guided... →

Business Unity South Africa president Mxolisi Mgojo

Business, govt meet to discuss electricity, logistics reforms

By: Creamer Media Reporter 8th March 2024 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the latest meeting held between senior business leaders and President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Cabinet; the feedback provided on efforts to tackle loadshedding; and a report back on the Transnet Recovery Plan and the reforms in the logistics sector. →

Business, govt meet to discuss electricity, logistics reforms

Ctrack index points to another year of ‘fairly subdued’ transport-sector growth

By: Irma Venter 8th March 2024 The Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (Ctrack TFI) forecasts “another year of fairly subdued growth for the transport sector”. This is based on the assumption of mediocre economic growth in South Africa this year, forecast at 1.3%, up from 2023’s estimated 0.6%. →

Local expertise needed to address challenges

8th March 2024 Despite having the most advanced railway system on the continent, with about 30 000 km of track, the South African rail and transportation sector is currently facing numerous significant challenges, electromechanical equipment manufacturer Actom Signalling division engineering projects and... →

LEONARD DE VILLIERS Challenges have resulted in significant disruptions and inefficiencies in the country’s transportation network

Close collaboration essential to ensure competitive market, industry

8th March 2024 Global growth is expected to be subdued, if not stagnant, in 2024, and amid this slow growth and some challenging market conditions, global trade is also expected to be sluggish, says financial services company Investec logistics head Denys Hobson, who references the World Bank’s estimation that... →

DENYS HOBSON Global growth is expected to be subdued, if not stagnant, in 2024

Grindrod to spend big at Matola terminal as MPDC grows Maputo capacity

By: Irma Venter 7th March 2024 Ports and logistics group Grindrod is set to invest big in its Matola drybulk terminal in Mozambique. Announcing Grindrod’s financial results for the year ended December 31 on Thursday, CEO Xolani Mbambo said the JSE-listed logistics group would spend the bulk of its R2.5-billion capital... →

PPP reforms could avert need for prescribed-assets policy to increase private infrastructure investment – Pieterse

By: Terence Creamer 1st March 2024 National Treasury director-general Dr Duncan Pieterse says the reforms being proposed to facilitate greater private sector investment into infrastructure could obviate the need to introduce a policy of ‘prescribed assets’, whereby pension funds would be required to direct a specified level of... →

National Treasury director-general Dr Duncan Pieterse responds to a question posed on prescribed assets by facilitator Alishia Seckam during a PSG Big Think Series event. Edited: Shadwyn Dickinson 1.3.2024

Business sees appointment of Phillips as key step in accelerating Transnet Recovery Plan

By: Terence Creamer 29th February 2024 Organised business says the appointment of a permanent executive team at Transnet – led by CEO Michelle Phillips, who has been acting in the role since September and who has been with the utility for 20 years – will enhance stability in the relationships between Transnet and the business sector... →

BCG highlights challenges, opportunities amid energy transition

By: Sabrina Jardim 28th February 2024 Amid the global transition to cleaner energy sources, African countries face various challenges and opportunities pertaining to the adoption of renewable energy. Consulting firm Boston Consulting Group (BCG) partner Rudi van Blerk noted during an online discussion on February 27 that many African... →

Bidvest sells 27.5% in logistics unit to investment firm Akhona

By: Bloomberg 28th February 2024 A subsidiary of South African conglomerate Bidvest Group is selling a 27.5% stake in a logistics business to black women-owned financial firm Akhona Strategic Investments. Akhona, headed by former investment banker Nolunthando Gosa, will purchase the Bidvest International Logistics stake from... →

Arise IIP signs deal with Malawi to build R3bn SEZ, dry port

By: Irma Venter 26th February 2024 Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (ARISE IIP) has signed a development agreement with the government of Malawi for the construction of a R3-billion special economic zone (SEZ) and dry port in the north of Lilongwe, Area 55. Arise IIP is owned by Africa Finance Corporation, Afreximbank, and... →

‘Deep’ reforms, Transnet appointments key to dealing with South Africa’s logistics crisis – BLSA

By: Sabrina Jardim 26th February 2024 With commodity prices declining and mining companies being unable to get output to their markets owing to issues with the rail and port services that State-owned utility Transnet provides, business organisation Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busisiwe Mavuso reiterates that stockpiles... →

BLSA CEO Busisiwe Mavuso

Global unrest fuelling shipping costs, consumers to feel it within a year – Unctad

By: Irma Venter 23rd February 2024 The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) estimates that transits passing through the Suez Canal have decreased by 42% compared with its peak, owing to attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes. With major players in the shipping industry temporarily suspending Suez transits, weekly... →

Lake Victoria freight vessel aims to cut travel time by up to three days

By: Irma Venter 22nd February 2024 The Mpungu freight vessel has made its debut on Lake Victoria, in East Africa. The Mpungu will be Lake Victoria’s first scheduled roll-on/roll-off freight vessel, addressing the need for a reliable freight service to facilitate regional and international trade. →

The Mpungu

Fuel price hike will impact consumers and the road freight industry – RFA

By: Irma Venter 16th February 2024 Fuel is rapidly crossing the 50% mark as a share of daily road transport operating costs, depending on the type of transport operation, with rising costs likely to be passed on to the consumer, says Road Freight Association (RFA) CEO Gavin Kelly. He says there are “dire forecasts” of large fuel... →

Gavin Kelly

Subdued growth expected in transport sector; more freight going to Maputo – Ctrack index

By: Irma Venter 14th February 2024 The Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (Ctrack TFI) forecasts “another year of fairly subdued growth for the transport sector”. This is based on the assumption of mediocre economic growth in South Africa this year, forecast at 1.3%, up from 2023’s estimated 0.6%. →

Business stakeholders find ‘election-oriented’ SoNA wanting

By: Marleny Arnoldi 9th February 2024 Business stakeholders agree that President Cyril Ramphosa was right to emphasise economic reforms in his State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on February 8, as these are critical to turning around the country’s dire economic performance and unemployment. Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), for... →

South Africa's electricity and logistics crises remain a concern for business

Loadshedding, logistics, water crises key themes of SoNA 2024

By: Creamer Media Reporter 9th February 2024 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses some of the key themes that emerged during President Cyril Ramaphosa's final State of the Nation Address of the current administration and how these affect the economy and business. →

Loadshedding, logistics, water crises key themes of SoNA 2024

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