Transport News
JRA appoints new board members
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), at its annual general meeting on March 1, appointed new board members, with Charles Cilliers as chairperson. He will be supported by nonexecutive members Alvarno Francis, Dr Ravendran Govender, Nkosana Thambo, Victoria Mamogobo, Sharon Kleinbooi, Siphosethu Mtamzeli, Cleopatra Lourens, Alice Puka, Daniel Nyamazane and Zenzokuhle Xaba.
Tesla’s decision to move away from rare earth permanent magnets unlikely to have much impact …
At Tesla’s 2023 Investor Day on March 1, the company exposed that its next-generation long-term magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) traction motors would not use rare earth long-term magnets. “As the world transitions to clean energy, need for rare earths is truly increasing considerably and not only is it going to be a little difficult to satisfy that need but mining that uncommon earth, it has environmental and health threats,” Tesla powertrain engineering VP Colin Campbell said.
Setting a new standard for crane cable guides
Vereeniging-based crane producer Stahl Cranes & & Hoists is shifting its Jib crane cable television management systems from festoons and sheaves to snag-free and dependable energy chain systems from expert supplier igus. Manufactured from crafted polymers, the energy chains are mechanical device elements that direct and safeguard information and power cables required to run the crane. Instead of the cable televisions being exposed and hanging from the festoon system, the energy chains secure the cable televisions in the chain and supply the required motion without harming the cables.
Gautrain Management Agency starts process to appoint new concessionaire
The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) is ready to go to market with the tender for the reconcessioning of the 80-km rapid-rail system, says CEO William Dachs. The GMA, an agency of the Gauteng provincial government, signed the agreement with current operator, the Bombela Consortium, in 2006, which means the 20-year concession comes to an end in March 2026.
Bespoke crane to facilitate helicopter crew training
Local crane producer Condra’s Germiston workshop will soon take on the challenge of making a bespoke 5 t double-girder electrical overhead travelling crane for the purpose of training helicopter team and emergency personnel at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), in Gauteng, as part of a short learning program in air travel rescue. Condra alongside global engineering company MH Automation secured the contract with UJ in December in 2015 and anticipates to fulfil delivery in June, states Condra director Kyle Kleiner, who describes the project as a “very first for the African continent”.
Junior miner allocations won’t impact existing manganese slots – TFR
State-owned rail operator Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) states its opening of rail capacity allocations to junior miners will not affect existing ensured manganese miner export allowances. As part of what it says is an expansion of rail capacity allowance and efforts to develop a more inclusive and competitive environment, Transnet granted 6 brand-new entrants with capacity on rail and at marine ports under the Manganese Export Capacity Allocation III programme.
DHL Express launches logistics carbon emissions reduction initiative for its customers
Logistics company DHL Express South Africa announced on Wednesday that, with effect from this month, the global DHL Express group’s GoGreen Plus initiative would be available to South African customers. GoGreen Plus allowed customers to reduce the carbon emissions generated by moving their cargoes, by having them flown on aircraft using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). DHL Express was the first global express carrier to offer such a service. “Our customers, like us, are dedicated to environmental conservation and committed to reducing their carbon footprint and I am thrilled that DHL Express has taken such a bold step to further reduce emissions,” affirmed DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa CEO Hennie Heymans.
Study shows Alstom supported 9 000 jobs, injected R3.9bn into South Africa in one year
Rail and mobility services business Alstom supported more than 9 000 tasks and injected R3.9-billion into South Africa as it continues to grow its local existence. These were the findings of a report it released in cooperation with technique, assurance and tax services consultancy Ernst & & Young (EY) catching the company’s socioeconomic contributions from April 2021 to March 2022.
Strong recovery in air cargo traffic to and from Durban
Dube TradePort, which is responsible for the Dube Cargo Terminal at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, in South Africa’s Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) province, has actually reported a strong healing in its air cargo organization over the period from April last year, to now, compared with the comparable duration in the previous year. The recovery was attributed to the restoration of scheduled operations to the airport by both global and domestic airline companies. The number of such scheduled flights increased …
Accident claims two lives at PRASA’s Salt River depot
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says an accident occurred at its Salt River depot, in the Western Cape, on February 27, claiming the lives of a PRASA employee and a contractor. They lost their lives while they were conducting testing and commissioning of refurbished motor coaches.