Transport News
Logistics industry digitisation to trend this year
The digitisation of the local logistics industry will take centre stage this year as companies continue leveraging smart technology and innovation to improve customer service delivery and experiences amid the current economic climate, says smart logistics company Pargo cofounder and director Lars Veul. Despite the economic challenges associated with rolling blackouts and the rising costs of living, consumers are shopping online more than ever before.
Transnet says heavy rains disrupt link to regional countries
Freight rail utility Transnet on Friday said heavy rains have actually disrupted services on its North East Corridor, which links with countries in Southern Africa. "" Heavy rains have actually caused severe disruptions in the North East Corridor. Our teams are out completely force and examining the damage to the railway," " Transnet said in a short declaration. The State-owned firm did not provide more information, however stated it would supply further details throughout the day.
Sanral to develop R60bn of road infrastructure projects in the Eastern Cape
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) will invest more than R60-billion on road facilities projects in the Eastern Cape, the firm’s southern region stakeholder planner Welekazi Ndika stated during an engagement session with members of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders this week. She did not provide a timeframe for the investments.
AMR uptake an opportunity to upskill workers
While self-governing mobile robotics (AMRs) are becoming an important part of future-oriented factories, job development remains an essential element for a company considering AMR application at a facility to guarantee it stays worldwide competitive and sustainable, states industrial automation specialist Omron local marketing supervisor Cezanne Gonsior. “There is an unique opportunity to upskill employees to supply technical support where AMR is presented, enabling processes to be streamlined through the AMR and the employee and, in turn, increase performance and reduce the opportunity for errors.”
Challenges transformed into opportunities
The previous couple of years have been characterised by various obstacles that have adversely affected the materials handling and warehousing markets. From riots and flooding in Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal, to ongoing energy challenges that have actually seen countless companies struggling to keep the lights on, the outlook for the growth of the sector has, until just recently, been rather dismal. Thankfully, the strong durability and agility of regional industries to overcome challenges has resulted in an influx of brand-new developments and expansions that have actually spurred a greater requirement for products handling and commercial devices.
Port of Maputo achieves new handling record as chrome throughput soars
The Port of Maputo achieved a new handling record in 2022, signing up development of 20% over 2021. The overall volume handled last year was 26.7-million loads, compared to 22.2-million lots in 2021..
ArcelorMittal moves ahead with 200 MW Vanderbijl renewables project, studies third-party rail access
ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) anticipates preliminary building and construction work on a 200 MW renewable-energy plant in Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, to start during the fourth quarter of 2023, with an expediency study into the service nearing conclusion. CEO Kobus Verster states the project has actually been demanded by ongoing unreliable electrical power supply and increasing tariffs and he expects that the investment will begin delivering “significant expense decrease advantages by 2024/5”.
Govt of Guinea appoints Egis as technical adviser for Simandou project
Consulting, building and construction, engineering and mobility services business Egis has gotten the signature of a contract with the government of Guinea to serve as technical consultant for the construction of the Simandou iron-ore mining project’s infrastructure. Located 550 km southeast of Conakry, the project consists of the construction of a 650 km train line– the Transguinean– and port centers, in addition to the mine.
Air passenger traffic continued its post-Covid recovery last year
Air guest traffic continued its healing from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic throughout the entire of last year, including in December, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported. IATA is the representative body for the global airline industry. “The market left 2022 in far more powerful shape than it got in, as a lot of governments lifted Covid-19 travel limitations during the year and individuals made the most of the remediation of their liberty to take a trip,” observed IATA director-general Willie Walsh. “This momentum is expected to continue in the New Year, regardless of some federal governments’ over-reactions to China’s reopening.”
Etihad Cargo, Astral Aviation sign MoU to boost Africa-UAE logistics
The freight and logistics department of Etihad Airways, Etihad Cargo, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Astral Aviation to broaden the collaboration between the two parties and enhance the cooperation between the areas of Abu Dhabi and Nairobi, further growing Etihad Cargo’s reach into the African market. This latest contract develops on Astral Aviation’s expanding partnership with Abu Dhabi, which will see Astral Aviation running more flights to the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE’s) capital, supported by Etihad Cargo.
IATA and Somalia sign aviation cooperation agreement
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is the representative body of the global airline industry, and the government of the Federal Republic of Somalia signed a cooperation agreement on Monday. This would serve to formalise and deepen their cooperation, in order to strengthen aviation’s socioeconomic benefits to the country. The agreement was signed by Somali Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Fardowsa Osman Egal and IATA regional VP Africa and the Middle East Kamil Alawadhi. “Aviation is essential to the success of Somalia’s development plans,” affirmed Egal. “The Government of Somalia is committed to developing its air transport sector to help promote long-term social and economic growth in the country. And we will ensure that global best practices are at the core of development. This agreement will pave the way for closer cooperation on the priorities for aviation in the country.”
Shoprite, Coca-Cola, Burger King and others urge Ramaphosa to halt fuel taxes
The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) on Tuesday advised President Cyril Ramaphosa to ditch the sugar tax, along with suspend the fuel responsibility and road mishap fund levies for the industry amidst record levels of load shedding. In an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa – sent on behalf of the CEOs of Shoprite, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Tiger Brands, Burger King, British American Tobacco, Walmart-owned Massmart, Steers-owner Famous Brands and others – the CGCSA says that load shedding has "" escalated catastrophically" " and was crippling businesses.
South Africa’s coal export snags worsen as rail shipments slump
Rail interruptions on the essential line to Africa’s biggest coal-export terminal are magnifying, choking off over half the fuel the facility is capable of shipping. Deliveries to Richards Bay Coal Terminal on South Africa’s east coast dropped to a three-decade low of 50.4-million lots in 2022 as armed gangs undermined the line and rail operator Transnet had a hard time to keep cargoes flowing. Given that the start of the year, the rate of shipments has dropped further to a rate of 44-million lots, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be recognized due to the fact that the info isn’t public.
Durban Car Terminal sets new monthly record for imports handled
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has announced a new record for imported cars handled in a month at the Durban Car Terminal in January. The terminal billed 77 297 units, exceeding the budgeted volumes by 24% and beating the 72 684-unit record set in September last year.
M4 highway rehabilitation work gets under way
eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda says rehab work has actually begun on the M4 Inkosi Albert Luthuli highway southbound carriageway. The cost of restoring the freeway, between Anton Lembede street (Smith Street) and Pascoe/Reunion roadway, will be simply over R121-million and it is expected to take 10 months to finish. According to Kaunda, transportation and road infrastructure are the financial lifeline of any city and that it was a pleasure for the municipality to witness the beginning of such a …
Boeing delivers last ever 747 Jumbo jet
On Tuesday, United States aerospace giant Boeing delivered the last-ever 747, marking completion of the production of one of the most crucial types in industrial air travel history. The first-ever wide-body airliner, it changed the economics of flight, altering the sector permanently. The 747 made its very first flight on February 9, 1969, and made its very first profits flight (from New York to London) on January 21, 1970. The airline company that purchased it and was the very first to operate it was the once-iconic today …
Sanral says construction tenders in KZN, Eastern Cape help with economic recovery
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has awarded 4 major building and construction tenders jointly worth almost R7-billion for projects in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, which will assist increase the building and construction sector and should be viewed as part of the wider nationwide effort by government to invest in financial facilities, it stated. Furthermore, in line with its dedication to the economic development of black services, at least 30% of the agreement worth of each tender will be farmed out to little, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs).
Kenyan carriers enter a first-in-Africa air cargo agreement
Two Kenyan airlines announced on Tuesday the first air cargo codesharing agreement to be established in Africa. The two are the public-private partnership national flag carrier Kenya Airways (specifically, its cargo unit, KQ Cargo) and private sector dedicated air cargo operator Astral Aviation. The codeshare agreement is aimed at stimulating trade between the continent and the Middle East. “KQ Cargo and Astral Aviation have had a long-standing commercial cooperation for the past 20 years, and this partnership is a continuation of our efforts to strengthen collaboration and partnerships amongst African airlines and to boost intercontinental trade while driving sustainable development of the African continent,” pointed out Kenya Airways Cargo director Dick Murianki.
UD Trucks’ sales growth outpaces industry-wide sales growth
Truck maker UD Trucks Southern Africa achieved a sales growth rate more than double that of industry-wide sales development for 2022, MD Filip van den Heede revealed at press junket, in Johannesburg, on January 31. According to Naamsa|the Automotive Business Council, sales of both medium heavy trucks and industrial vehicles and busses increased by almost 12%, being available in at a total of about 30 249 systems offered in 2022, compared with the 26 969 units offered in 2021.
Cathay Pacific to resume direct flights to South Africa
Hong Kong airline company Cathay Pacific revealed on Monday that it was going to resume direct flights between the Chinese area and South Africa. The service will restart on August 2, and be operated three times a week, with Johannesburg being the South African terminal. “We are eager to not only welcome our clients from South Africa to experience our warm Asian culture, however likewise the comfort and performance when taking a trip onboard the Airbus A350-900,” highlights Cathay Pacific Regional Marketing and Sales Head: South Asia, Middle East and Africa Anand Yedery. “With the removal of travel constraints into Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland, and with our connections to popular Asian destinations, we can help consumers to satisfy all their travel plans– whether it is to reunite with their loved ones or take that much-awaited holiday or for service.”