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Ports & Shipping News

Construction of new TNPA multipurpose vessel kicks off

By: Irma Venter 14th May 2024 A keel-laying ceremony has marked the beginning of construction of a new multipurpose vessel that will increase the marine fleet availability for Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) in Cape Town. As the first milestone in the history of a ship, the keel-laying ceremony marks the laying of... →

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.... →

CSIR Coastal Engineers help ports and ship owners with physical and computer model tests

By: Rebecca Campbell 3rd May 2024 Although South African ports are sheltered from swell waves, three of them – Cape Town, Ngqura and Saldanha – can and do experience what are called infra-gravity waves. These are a category of gravity waves, which are waves travelling along the surface of the sea (where it interfaced with the... →

A ship mooring behaviour experiment being run in a CSIR water tank; in the background, another ship model is on the moment-of-inertia calibration cradle

Photo by Creamer Media's Rebecca Campbell
A ship mooring behaviour experiment being run in a CSIR water tank; in the background, another ship model is on the moment-of-inertia calibration cradle

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.... →

Shipping tycoon sees first Namibia hydrogen output by year-end

By: Bloomberg 2nd May 2024 Cie Maritime Belge (CMB), a Belgian shipping company, expects green hydrogen production in Namibia to start in the fourth quarter, a project that could see $3.5-billion in investment over the next five years. Belgium’s King Philippe is on Thursday touring what’s expected to be Namibia’s first... →

Photo by Bloomberg
CMB CEO Alexander Saverys

Transnet aims to defend its decision to partner with ICTSI at the DCT

By: Darren Parker 29th April 2024 State-owned Transnet has defended its decision to select Phillipines-based International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) as the preferred bidder for the establishment of a partnership to manage the upgrade and development of Pier 2 at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT). Following the... →

Transnet volumes, revenue up, but falls short of recovery targets

By: Darren Parker 26th April 2024 State-owned Transnet has reported a 1.5% year-on-year improvement in the total rail volumes reaching 151.7-million tonnes at the end of March 2024, showcasing improvement in operational performance. However, this figure still fell 1.8% short of Transnet’s recovery plan target of 154.4-million... →

TNPA issues RfP for Cape Town port liquid bulk terminal

By: Schalk Burger 24th April 2024 State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a request for proposals (RfP) for the appointment of a terminal operator to acquire, operate, maintain, refurbish or build and transfer a liquid bulk terminal over a 25-year concession period at the Port of Cape Town. “The liquid... →

The Port of Cape Town

Nelson Mandela University-led consortium to develop green hydrogen feasibility study

By: Darren Parker 22nd April 2024 A consortium led by Nelson Mandela University and boutique consultancy firm Ikigai Group has won a UK Government grant under the South Africa-UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (Pact) programme to deliver an innovative feasibility study to explore the viability of green hydrogen... →

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

Role of gas in SA’s future energy mix under intense scrutiny

By: Darren Parker 5th April 2024 Given South Africa’s ongoing energy crisis, there remains much debate around whether gas should be included in the future energy mix and, if so, how much. Advocates argue that the fossil fuel is a necessity and a step up from coal – since it produces fewer carbon emissions when burned – but many... →

GAS CLIFF Until local gas resources come on stream, an impending gas shortage undermines South Africa’s near-term future dependence on it

TPT outlines actions to support 15% growth in citrus exports during 2024 season

By: Terence Creamer 4th April 2024 Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) reports that it has recruited 200 additional cargo coordinators and has set up dedicated lanes for refrigerated containers at all KwaZulu-Natal container terminals in preparation for the citrus fruit export season, which begins this month. Congestion at the country’s... →

TNPA moves ahead with R60m seawater desalination project at Port of East London

By: Terence Creamer 3rd April 2024 South Africa’s State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has awarded a R60-million contract for the construction of a water desalination plant at the Port of East London, the country’s only river port. The contract has been awarded to a JV comprising Norland Civil Engineers and... →

At the ceremony confirming the selection of a preferred bidder for the Port of East London water desalination project are (from left): Norland Construction’s Jarl Heurlin, Impact Water Solutions’ Patrice Boyer, TNPA acting CEO Phyllis Difeto and Port of East London manager Sphiwe Mthembu

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... →

Durban Container Terminal receives ten haulers before citrus season start

By: Schalk Burger 28th March 2024 The Durban Container Terminal (DCT) has received the first ten of 45 fully-assembled haulers ahead of the start of South Africa’s citrus season next month. Haulers move containers from the stack to the ship-to-shore crane in a vessel loading operation, and from the ship-to-shore crane to the... →

New haulers in use at the Durban Container Terminal

Rail, ports reforms gaining traction

By: Creamer Media Reporter 28th March 2024 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the key reforms being pursued across the rail and ports sectors; the recent publication of a rail network statement and the subsequent concerns raised; and Transnet's owns recovery plan. →

Rail, ports reforms gaining traction

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

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... →

TNPA boosts energy hub status in the Port of Richards Bay

By: Sabrina Jardim 20th March 2024 State-owned Transnet National Port Authority’s (TNPA’s) Port of Richards Bay is set to become a key hub for energy trade through the provision of bulk infrastructure to two sites located at the South Dunes precinct, in KwaZulu-Natal. The development, which is set for completion at the end of May,... →

TNPA seeks to unlock land value through big leasing offer across seven ports

By: Creamer Media Reporter 14th March 2024 South Africa’s State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has released tenders for nearly 100 leasing opportunities across seven of its sea ports in line with a real estate strategy that aims to unlock the economic value of the land within the ports. At 26 apiece, the Ports of Cape Town... →

Port of Durban

Inept African ports miss chance as Red Sea attacks reroute ships

By: Bloomberg 14th March 2024 Africa’s inefficient and aging ports are hampering the continent’s chances of capitalizing on a surge in ship traffic that’s avoiding attacks by Houthi rebels through the Red Sea, logistics experts said. The number of vessels sailing around the southern tip of Africa is up 85% from the first half... →

South Africa should get off global regulator's 'grey list' in 2025, says Kganyago

By: Reuters 13th March 2024 South Africa's central bank governor said on Wednesday that he was confident the country would be removed from an international financial crime watchdog's "grey list" next year, given the work that is under way to fix identified issues. The International Financial Action Task Force (FATF) last... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago

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... →

TNPA invests in road rehabilitation project at Port of Durban

By: Sabrina Jardim 11th March 2024 The intensified pressure posed by an influx of trucks on the Port of Durban’s road infrastructure has prompted State-owned utility Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to invest R233-million on the rehabilitation of roads in key container handling port precincts – the Container and Maydon... →

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%. →

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... →

TNPA to appoint developer soon for common-user infrastructure required for LNG terminal

By: Terence Creamer 4th March 2024 South Africa’s Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) expects to appoint a developer within months for the common-user infrastructure required to support the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at the Port of Richards Bay, in KwaZulu-Natal. In January, the State-owned company... →

Port of Durban

Egypt studies plan to expand Suez Canal to speed up transit time

By: Bloomberg 4th March 2024 Egypt is carrying out a feasibility study on further expanding the Suez Canal in a push to speed up transit times and avert potential blockages in a waterway that carries 12% of global maritime trade. The project is meant to turn single-lane segments — 50 kilometers in the northern segment and 30... →

A container ship travelling through the Suez Canal in Egypt

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 welcomes appointment of new Transnet leadership

By: Creamer Media Reporter 1st March 2024 Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the business community's reaction to the appointment of permanent executive leadership at Transnet; signs that the turnaround and reforms at Transnet are starting to show some results; and when these developments are likely to start having a... →

Business welcomes appointment of new Transnet leadership

Durban Container Terminal advances various operational improvement initiatives

By: Marleny Arnoldi 29th February 2024 Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 has reached stability as performance improvements gain traction, confirms Durban Terminals managing executive Earle Peters. →

Durban Container Terminal

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... →

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