Transport News
Ford again implores Transnet to develop southern rail corridor
Ford South Africa remains “actively engaged” with government and its rail arm Transnet to enable vehicle and component transport to and from the Gqeberha port, says Ford Motor Company Africa president Neale Hill. “Frustratingly so we seem to make progress, and then it all seems to retreat.
TAAG to launch direct flights between Durban and Luanda, early next year
TAAG Angola Airlines (TAAG) announced on Thursday that it would be carrying out a direct flight in between Luanda, the Angolan capital, and South Africa’s top port city, Durban, during the very first quarter of next year. Luanda is also a port city, on the South Atlantic Ocean, while Durban is on the Indian Ocean. Passengers can currently take a trip on a single ticket between Luanda and Durban, however this presently requires a transfer in Johannesburg. While the Johannesburg-Luanda leg is run by TAAG itself, the Johannesburg-Durban leg is run by a South African domestic airline, partnering with the Angolan national flag carrier.
Van der Merwe unpacks Metrorail deterioration
As discussions advance the devolution of South Africa’s traveler rail network, especially with Cape Town having started a feasibility study on the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) rail system in the province in July, Gauteng Transport Authority (TAG) CEO Jack van der Merwe unloads how Metrorail has decreased in the last few years. The recently released White Paper on National Rail Policy permits the devolution of PRASA’s passenger rail systems to local councils through a process that includes an expediency research study.
Bentley Systems awards place spotlight on innovative infrastructure builds
The product strategy of infrastructure engineering software developer Bentley Systems is grounded in the principle that the infrastructure sector needs to do more with less, said Bentley Systems COO Nick Cummins on Tuesday during the plenary of the 2022 Year in Infrastructure Conference. The global drive to half carbon emissions by 2030 is placing the infrastructure sector under significant pressure, and the decisions that are made today will have real consequences for decades, he highlighted ahead of the 2022 Going Digital Awards in Infrastructure, hosted at the Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel, in London, UK.
Association warns of imminent collapse of Transnet
The African Rail Industry Association (ARIA) says State-owned freight utility Transnet’s hesitation to carry out structural reforms is costing the economy and South Africa’s international reputation very much, particularly if it continues to disguise its real financial state. ARIA CEO Mesela Nhlapo informed journalists during a media rundown held on November 15 that Transnet had no intention to reform unless the law obliges it to which it is attempting to “trade itself out of a huge disaster”.
SAA deal in crisis as Gidon Novick resigns from Takatso board
Gidon Novick has actually resigned from the board of SAA’s selected equity partner, the Takatso consortium, mentioning concerns about an absence of interaction and the consortium’s ability to raise sufficient cash. This deals a severe blow to the long-delayed strategic equity collaboration in between South African Airways (SAA) and Takatso. Takatso consists of the infrastructure financial investment company Harith as majority shareholder, and minority shareholders Global Airways, a full-service leasing company which owns airline company LIFT, and an airline management business established by Novick. Novick represented the minority investors on the Takatso board.
City of Joburg responds to JRA CEO allegations
City of Johannesburg Transport MMC Councillor Funzi Ngobeni states he has noted reports in news publication Daily Maverick, which question the suitability of Tshepo Mahanuke to hold the role of CEO of the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA). “I guarantee the six-million residents of the City of Johannesburg, the executive mayor, Councillor Mpho Phalatse, the multi-party federal government as well as workers of the city and the JRA, that I take the allegations consisted of in the news article seriously.
TFR clears derailment on north corridor
Following heavy rain over the weekend and complex healing processes, the joint state-owned Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and market groups managed to clear all 97 derailed wagons from the derailment website on its North Corridor by 08:15 on November 14. The recovery and clean-up operation follows a train derailment in Nhlazatshe, near Ulundi, on November 8.
Transnet declares sixth force majeure in 18 months
Transnet has actually stated its sixth force majeure in 18 months, this time on the coal export line to Richards Bay, which experienced a huge derailment on Tuesday. Force majeure is a stipulation that is included in contracts when a celebration can not fulfil its obligations owing to a inevitable and unforeseeable disaster. Usually, these are "" disasters ", such as extreme weather..
Thermal sensors for four Cape Town pedestrian crossings
The City of Cape Town has executed thermal sensing units at 4 pedestrian crossings in Blaauwberg, the very first time this has actually been carried out in South Africa. The sensors have been installed along Marine Drive and Otto du Plessis Drive– hectic paths that bring high traffic volumes.
PRASA places former acting CEO Mphelo on suspension
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA’s) board has decided to position the entity’s chief information officer David Mphelo on suspension, with instant result, while an examination is undertaken into his conduct while he worked as acting CEO of the group from November 2021 to August this year. The PRASA board on November 9 received a report concerning "" major allegations" " versus Mphelo. The claims associate with abnormalities in recruitment and procurement.
No foreign company barred from doing business in SA – Sanral
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) on Wednesday released a statement to defend the consultation of numerous Chinese groups in four significant tender awards. In a rejuggled tender procedure following earlier abnormalities, the R4.05-billion Mtentu Bridge job, on the N2 Wild Coast roadway, was granted to the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Mecsa joint venture (JV).
World’s carbon dioxide hotspots pinpointed by Al Gore-backed climate project
A consortium of lots of research nonprofits on Wednesday launched a complimentary online platform that details greenhouse gas emissions around the globe across 20 financial sectors. Climate Trace, which can be seen on a web browser, consists of a zoomable world map that displays and ranks the dirtiest 72 000 power plants, oil refineries, airports, ships and more. The group used satellite images and artificial intelligence along with more conventional strategies to build what it says is the largest offered source of greenhouse gas emissions data. “The sources of emissions information that are readily available now are not granular enough, or detailed enough, to utilize as the basis for choices,” previous United States Vice President Al Gore said in an interview. “And so what we are finding is that there is a ravenous hunger for accurate information.” Gore, who has fundraised for the group, is anticipated to introduce the platform on Wednesday at COP27, the UN environment talks in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Heineken unveils solar power plant Heineken unveils solar power plant
Beermaker Heineken revealed its grid-based 6.5 MW solar energy plant at the business’s Sedibeng Brewery in Midvaal last month which will supply 30% of its power usage as part of the business’s Brew A Better world strategy. Nadine Ramdass tells us more.
Coal train derailment took place against ‘backdrop of threats by disgruntled groups’
State-owned logistics group Transnet reports that recovery teams are on site at the scene of the derailment that occurred on the early morning of November 8 2022, where a train carrying export coal to Richards Bay derailed in between Bloubank and Nhlazetshe stations, near Ulundi. Transnet confirmed in a declaration that heavy rains over night had hindered recovery operations but site investigations and website preparations are under method which specialised heavy-duty train breakdown and healing equipment was on its method to the site.
Lack of finance, security still plaguing South Africa’s transport industry – panel Challenges facing South Africa’s transport and logistics sector
Considering recent advancements– such as the Covid-19 pandemic and an economy trying to recuperate– professional body Chartered Institute of Logistics & & Transport South Africa president Elvin Harris states a working transportation and logistics system is important to support the healing of the economy and its future development. Nevertheless, this has proven tough, as the transport and logistics sector has actually been facing increasing challenges in relation to upkeep, reliability, efficiency, lack of policy, electrical energy supply and an increase in organised criminal offense in current decades.
Standard Bank starts to roll out digital taxi payment app
Standard Bank is beginning to present a digital taxi payment app that it thinks will relieve the tension of having the best money on hand for a minibus taxi journey. The app is also set to assist taxi owners in enhancing the performance of their minibus fleets. Carrying money features dangers, explains Standard Bank primary markets head Motlatsi Mkalala.
Air passenger traffic continued a strong recovery in September
Air passenger traffic continued a strong recovery during September, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported. (IATA is the global representative body for the airline industry.) In year-on-year (y-o-y) terms, total global air passenger traffic in September was up 57%, and had reached 73.8% of the level recorded in September 2019, before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Regarding domestic air passenger traffic only, in September this was up 6.9%, y-o-y, and was at 81% of its level in September 2019. International air traffic jumped 122.2% y-o-y, with all markets reporting strong growth. However, it should be noted that the restoration of domestic air travel operations started significantly earlier than the restart of international flights, and the international air passenger travel recovery still lagged behind the domestic recovery. Thus, international traffic in September was at 69.9% of its September 2019 levels.
SAICE questions fresh Sanral tender awards as China scores most of the work
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) says it is “deeply worried” by the recent awarding of tenders by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) to joint ventures (JVs) led by foreign business. Sanral earlier this year cancelled 5 of its significant tenders owing to “a product abnormality in the tender procedure”, where a resolution made by its board in January 2020 was not executed in the evaluation of the impacted tenders.
IATA reports air cargo demand in September was down, year-on-year
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global representative body for the airline industry, reported on Monday that air cargo demand in September softened, in year-on-year (y-o-y) terms, but remained at near-pre-Covid-19 levels. September air cargo demand was down 10.6%, y-o-y. International air cargo demand, over the same period, was also down 10.6%. However, total global air cargo demand in September was only 3.6% below that for September 2019. “While air cargo’s activity …