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Ports & Shipping News

TNPA orders seven new tugboats to enhance operations at its commercial seaports

By: Schalk Burger 28th February 2024 State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has, as part of its marine fleet renewal programme, ordered seven tugboats in a R1-billion investment aimed at enhancing marine operations at its commercial seaports. The Port of Durban has been allocated five of the seven tugboats, with the... →

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

Fiscal discipline in Budget, but 5% infrastructure expenditure increase ‘barely positive’ – Minerals Council

By: Schalk Burger 22nd February 2024 Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana maintained focus on fiscal discipline and balancing the need to address socioeconomic challenges facing the country, industry organisation Minerals Council South Africa said in response to the Minister’s Budget Speech on February 21. South Africa, however, needs... →

Minerals Council CEO Mzila Mthenjane

EIB in talks with South Africa over loan for ports, freight rail

By: Bloomberg 15th February 2024 The European Investment Bank (EIB) said it’s in talks to loan South Africa money to upgrade its port and freight-rail infrastructure as its first contribution to a decarbonization pact known as the Just Energy Transition Partnership. The loan, the size of which the EIB didn’t disclose, is part of... →

Locomotives owned by Transnet Freight Rail

Cape Town Container Terminal achieves record refrigerated containers load

By: Marleny Arnoldi 14th February 2024 Transnet’s Cape Town Container Terminal has loaded a record 1 726 refrigerated containers on a single vessel, called the Santa Rita. The vessel, carrying fruit, is destined for Europe. →

Santa Rita vessel

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%. →

TNPA receives first four of 52 new hydraulic tension mooring units

By: Schalk Burger 12th February 2024 State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has received and operationalised four hydraulic tension mooring units at the ports of Cape Town and Ngqura. This is the first batch of the 52 units procured to improve operational efficiencies at the country's ports by reducing shipping delays... →

New shore tension units acquired by TNPA

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

Transnet needs ‘the right, permanent management, quickly’ – Stellenbosch University academic

By: Irma Venter 9th February 2024 State-owned rail and port operator Transnet could, potentially, show significant improvement this year, compared with last year’s dismal performance, says transport economist and macrologistics researcher at Stellenbosch University Dr Jan Havenga. However, it is imperative that Public... →

Ramaphosa moots ‘innovative investment models’ for grid as he reiterates support for power and logistics reform

By: Terence Creamer 8th February 2024 President Cyril Ramaphosa used his final State of the Nation Address ahead of upcoming elections to reiterate government’s commitment to reforms in the country’s failing power and logistics sectors, including one that would open the electricity transmission sector to private investors. Speaking... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

AMSA sees plausible pathway for salvaging longs unit, but ready to reverse closure deferral if urgent progress is not made

By: Terence Creamer 8th February 2024 Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has deferred the wind-down of its long-products business by six months amid widespread concern regarding the detrimental impact of the closure on downstream industry and jobs and following consultations with government and other affected... →

Photo by Creamer Media's Donna Slater
ArcelorMittal South Africa CEO Kobus Verster

AMSA announces six-month deferral to longs closure after agreements on short-term measures

By: Terence Creamer 8th February 2024 Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) has deferred the wind down of its long-products business by six months amid widespread concern regarding the detrimental impact of the closure on downstream industry and jobs and following consultations with government and other affected... →

Backlog at Cape Town Container Terminal reduced

By: Schalk Burger 7th February 2024 The Cape Town Container Terminal completed services for three vessels in a single shift over the weekend, reducing the vessels at anchor from four to one, despite three hours of lost time owing to fog. The recent marked improvement in productivity demonstrates responsive plans that have been put... →

Families call for increased efforts to release two SA engineers arrested in Equatorial Guinea a year ago

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 6th February 2024 February 9 will mark one year since two South African engineers, Frederik Potgieter (54) and Peter Huxham (55) - the latter a dual South African/UK citizen - were detained in Equatorial Guinea on drug charges, and the families are calling for the South African government to do more to help... →

Transnet receives locomotive batteries through RBCT partnership

By: Schalk Burger 6th February 2024 State-owned Transnet has taken delivery of seven full sets of batteries procured by the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT). The delivery of these critical spares will improve the reliability of Transnet Freight Rail's available locomotive fleet. The Transnet Recovery Plan, which seeks to improve... →

Preferred bidder selected for bunker fuels terminal on brownfield Port of Richards Bay site

By: Terence Creamer 5th February 2024 Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has appointed FFS Tank Terminal as the preferred bidder to develop and operate a liquid bulk terminal specialising in bunker fuels on a brownfield site at the Port of Richards Bay previously operated by Engen. The appointment follows a competitive bidding... →

Bunker fuels terminal to be developed on a brownfield site at the Port of Richards Bay

We are turning ports around, but it will take time – Ramaphosa

By: Sashnee Moodley 5th February 2024 While the recently launched African Continental Free Trade Area will provide advantages for South African companies, the efficiency and competitiveness of the country’s logistics architecture needs to improve, which President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured will happen. In his weekly letter to the... →

President Cyril Ramaphosa

Clear commitment to reform implementation needed in SoNA – Mavuso

By: Schalk Burger 5th February 2024 Business organisation Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busi Mavuso has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to show a clear commitment to the hard work of reform implementation during his State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on Thursday evening. South Africa's electricity crisis remains a... →

Locomotives operating on Transnet Freight Rail's rail lines

High strength bolting solutions offered for marine services

2nd February 2024 Industrial equipment supplier BMG’s Nord-Lock Expander System pivot pin components offer dependable solutions that combat the challenges of lug wear in the marine and shipping sector. Pivots, which are at the centre of any rotational movement, often experience lug wear owing to the clearance... →

SPECIAL DESIGN BMG’s customised Expander System pivot pins are specifically adapted to suit exact requirements, through the use of specific materials, hardening treatments, surface coatings and the correct tolerance for each application

Port of Maputo reports record volume for 2023

By: Irma Venter 2nd February 2024 The Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) says the Port of Maputo achieved a record volume of 31.2-million tons in 2023, up 16% on the previous year. MPDC is a public–private partnership between State-owned Mozambican Railway Company (Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique, or CFM) and Portus Indico,... →

Drilling projects successful despite challenges

By: Sabrina Jardim 2nd February 2024 Owing to quay walls that are starting to collapse and their requiring replacement, drilling company Geomech Africa was contracted to conduct offshore drilling at various South African ports from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023. The company was contracted to drill offshore... →

MOVING ALONG Geomech Africa was contracted to drill offshore to conduct the necessary investigations for the design of the new quay walls

Freight forwarders note some progress in tackling logistics crisis, but call for intensification of collaborative efforts

By: Terence Creamer 1st February 2024 The CEO of the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) believes progress is being made in navigating the ‘perfect storm’ of South Africa’s current logistics crisis, which is strangling trade and investment. However, Dr Juanita Maree argues that there is still a pressing need to... →

Dr Juanita Maree

TPT reports Cape Town Container Terminal improvements

By: Schalk Burger 30th January 2024 State-owned Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) says the Cape Town Container Terminal reached a high of 17 moves an hour during a single shift in the past week despite fluctuating productivity, and 2 388 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) were handled in a single day. In addition to global Navis... →

Global economic growth expected to stagnate this year

By: Darren Parker 30th January 2024 Global economic growth is expected to be subdued, if not stagnant this year, with global trade also expected to be sluggish, financial services provider Investec reports. According to the World Bank, global trade growth for this year is expected to be only half the average growth achieved in the... →

Investec logistics head Denys Hobson

Transnet needs ‘the right, permanent management, quickly’ – Havenga

By: Irma Venter 29th January 2024 State-owned rail and port operator Transnet could, potentially, show significant improvement this year compared with last year’s dismal performance, says transport economist and macrologistics researcher at Stellenbosch University Dr Jan Havenga. However, it is imperative that Public Enterprises... →

Jan Havenga

Transnet appoints law firm to investigate allegations against TNPA management

By: Schalk Burger 25th January 2024 State-owned freight and logistics group Transnet has appointed an independent law firm to undertake an in-depth investigation into allegations that certain Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) managers flouted procurement processes. The matter has also been referred to the Special... →

DP World’s $2bn Mozambique port expansion gets approval

By: Bloomberg 24th January 2024 Mozambique approved an extended deal for DP World, Grindrod and other operators of its biggest port, including a $2-billion expansion that will further draw cargoes away from neighboring South Africa’s creaking trade infrastructure. The group, which also includes Mozambique’s state-owned railway... →

South Africa must build renewable energy momentum, and then move on to other sectors – Mavuso

By: Schalk Burger 22nd January 2024 The rapid pace at which South Africa is building renewable energy projects, driven by private sector investment, is viewed as positive in the global context, including at the recently held World Economic Forum's (WEF's) yearly Davos meeting, said business organisation Business Leadership South... →

BLSA CEO Busi Mavuso

Europe, Africa crude market tightens on Red Sea disruptions, China demand

By: Reuters 22nd January 2024 The Brent crude market structure and some physical markets in Europe and Africa are reflecting tighter supply resulting partly from concern about shipping delays due to vessels avoiding the Red Sea, according to traders, LSEG data and analysts. The disruptions have combined with other factors... →

A container ship passing an oil platform near the Suez Canal

Operators to run a full three-berth operation at the Ngqura Container Terminal

By: Sabrina Jardim 19th January 2024 The Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT), in the Eastern Cape, has recruited 36 lifting equipment operators to run a full three-berth operation when South Africa’s citrus season begins in April. The operators have started with their on-the-job training, which is designed to enable the operation of... →

Ngqura Container Terminal

Steps being taken to improve turnaround at DCT Pier 2 ahead of the citrus season

By: Schalk Burger 19th January 2024 The Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 is prioritising fluid terminal operations ahead of South Africa’s citrus season, and the terminal is providing a rail link solution for its customers’ import containers to a back-of-port facility 7 km from the terminal as a means of reducing the number... →

Containers loaded onto wagons at DCT Pier 2

1 000 MW gas-to-power cap placed on Richards Bay for first gas procurement round

By: Terence Creamer 18th January 2024 While ‘location agnostic’, South Africa’s inaugural 2 000 MW gas-to-power (GtP) procurement round is limiting the development of facilities in the City of uMhlathuze, where KwaZulu-Natal’s deep-water Port of Richards Bay has been earmarked as a future gas hub, to 1 000 MW – a threshold that will... →

TNPA recently selected a preferred bidder for a 25-year LNG terminal concession in the Port of Richards Bay's South Dunes precinct

Egypt grapples with impact of Red Sea hits on Suez Canal revenue

By: Bloomberg 17th January 2024 Egypt pushed ahead with an increase in transit fees through the Suez Canal this week, as a need for foreign currency trumped a fall in maritime traffic due to Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Revenue for the North African nation from the vital waterway — the shortest route between Asia... →

Photo by Bloomberg
The Suez canal

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