Transport News
Local bus sector under the pump
The South African bus sector has faced challenges over the past two years, with commercial-vehicle sliding-window designer and manufacturer Widney Transport Components noting a drop in volumes, says sales manager Lucas Mehlape. “Local demand is mainly driven by government tenders, so the more the State invests in the sector, the better it is for all concerned. About 60% to 70% of bus orders are linked to government tenders and, currently, there is reduced activity in this regard,” he reveals, highlighting that Widney is a major window supplier for the South African bus sector.
Automation supplier launches MV VSDs
Earlier this month electrification and automation product supplier ElectroMechanica (EM) extended their portfolio with the launch of the high-performance and cost-effective Delta MVF23/MVF20 series medium-voltage variable speed drives (VSDs).
Logistics Plus Sponsors NW PA and USA TODAY High School Sports Awards Programs
It’s the sixth straight year Logistics Plus has sponsored the regional program and its second consecutive year for the national program.
HARIBO Taps ODW Logistics to Manage Distribution and Transportation
ODW Logistics is partnering with HARIBO of America to provide warehousing and logistics services for the company’s first North American manufacturing facility in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.
Sanral to restart, wrap up adjudication process on cancelled tenders by end September Sanral chairperson Themba Mhambi talks about the issues identified with the agency’s construction bid evaluation process. Video and editing: Kutlwano Matlala
The board of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has instructed Sanral management to readvertise and award the R17.47-billion in tenders the board cancelled earlier in May, citing “material irregularities”, within the next four months. Speaking at a media conference in Centurion on Monday, Sanral board chairperson Themba Mhambi added that the board would recruit an independent public institution with infrastructure expertise to assist with the process to advertise and adjudicate the tenders, and to make a recommendation to the board on the winning bidders.
National rail policy to support local industry, manufacturing
The National Rail Policy White Paper has a deliberate bias towards local manufacturing to ensure industrialisation and the local production of steel, railway lines, rolling stock and supplies, and the State and private sector operators should procure all supplies from South African manufacturers, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said this week. "The obsolete state of much of our rail infrastructure and rolling stock, and the limitation imposed by narrow gauge tracks, as well as the underuse of the existing rail network, are some of the most notable challenges facing the sector," he stated.
Rail White Paper stresses private sector participation, move to standard gauge
The National Rail Policy White Paper will see the rail network opened to participation by the private sector, along with a progressive national move to standard gauge to increase the average speeds of trains, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said on June 2. "Rail is an asset to make a country’s logistics and freight transport more efficient. The white paper provides policy certainty and aims to introduce radical structural reforms to enable broader participation in the industry, open new avenues of investments and enable competitiveness," Mbalula said during a visit to the Rhodesfield train station, in Kempton Park.
Commission meets with domestic airlines to fill Comair void, avoid price gouging
The Competition Commission has called on major airlines in South Africa to help bring capacity into the market following a decision by Comair to suspend all British Airways and kulula.com flights, with immediate effect on May 31. Comair’s decision to suspend the flights will significantly reduce capacity in the domestic air travel and reduce competition.
Sanral to restart, wrap up adjudication process on cancelled tenders by end September Sanral chairperson Themba Mhambi talks about the issues identified with the agency’s construction bid evaluation process. Video and editing: Kutlwano Matlala
The board of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has instructed Sanral management to readvertise and award the R17.47-billion in tenders the board cancelled earlier in May, citing “material irregularities”, within the next four months. Speaking at a media conference in Centurion on Monday, Sanral board chairperson Themba Mhambi added that the board would recruit an independent public institution with infrastructure expertise to assist with the process to advertise and adjudicate the tenders, and to make a recommendation to the board on the winning bidders.
Cancelled Sanral contracts to be readvertised, awards expected by end of September
The board of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has instructed Sanral management to readvertise and award the R17.47-billion in tenders the board cancelled last month, citing “material irregularities”, within the next four months, Speaking at a media conference in Centurion last week, Sanral board chairperson Themba Mhambi added that the board would recruit an independent public institution with infrastructure expertise to assist with the process to advertise and adjudicate the tenders, and to make a recommendation to the board on the winning bidders.
Company performs complex breakdown repair on rotor
Electro-mechanical services and repairs company Marthinusen & Coutts (M&C) recently performed comprehensive repairs to the rotor of an aging 30 MW generator which had failed during operation at JSE-listed forest group Sappi’s Saiccor pulp mill in Umkomaas, KwaZulu-Natal.
Truck tyre insurance a local first
Dunlop Tyres manufacturer and distributor Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA) says it is the first tyre manufacturer in South Africa to launch truck tyre insurance. As of April, the company extended its Dunlop Sure value-added tyre insurance – previously available for only certain passenger tyres, all sport utility vehicle tyres and light truck radial tyres – to the 315/80R22,5 SP835A in its truck and bus radial (TBR) range at no additional cost.
New export route for Botswana coal
Grindrod’s Matola terminal at the Port of Maputo says it has welcomed its second coal train from Botswana. The terminal also managed to successfully discharge the 50 wagons using the terminal’s tipplers. The first train arrived at the port in April, marking a milestone for Grindrod’s Mozambican dry bulk terminal.
PRASA starts rehabilitation of three Gauteng corridors
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says it will terminate rail services on three Gauteng corridors for the next few months to allow for the rehabilitation and restoration of the electrical cables and traction substations that were vandalised or stolen during the Covid-19 Level 5 hard lockdown. The revamp will also allow PRASA to “run more efficient train services and to introduce the electrical motor units which form part of the agency’s modernisation programme”.
Mbalula says decision on e-tolls ‘imminent’, calls for scrap metal export ban
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has yet again promised that a decision on the future of e-tolls in Gauteng is imminent. Delivering his department’s Budget Vote speech late last month, he noted that the matter was on Cabinet’s radar, and that a pronouncement would be made once the final decision had been taken.
Sanral to restart, wrap up adjudication process on cancelled tenders by end September Sanral chairperson Themba Mhambi talks about the issues identified with the agency’s construction bid evaluation process. Video and editing: Kutlwano Matlala
The board of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has instructed Sanral management to readvertise and award the R17.47-billion in tenders the board cancelled earlier in May, citing “material irregularities”, within the next four months. Speaking at a media conference in Centurion on Monday, Sanral board chairperson Themba Mhambi added that the board would recruit an independent public institution with infrastructure expertise to assist with the process to advertise and adjudicate the tenders, and to make a recommendation to the board on the winning bidders.
Sanral to restart, wrap up adjudication process on cancelled tenders by end September Sanral chairperson Themba Mhambi talks about the issues identified with the agency’s construction bid evaluation process. Video and editing: Kutlwano Matlala
The board of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has instructed Sanral management to readvertise and award the R17.47-billion in tenders the board cancelled earlier in May, citing “material irregularities”, within the next four months. Speaking at a media conference in Centurion on Monday, Sanral board chairperson Themba Mhambi added that the board would recruit an independent public institution with infrastructure expertise to assist with the process to advertise and adjudicate the tenders, and to make a recommendation to the board on the winning bidders.
Former PRASA employee receives jail sentence for cable theft
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has welcomed the sentencing of a former employee, who was found guilty of tampering or destroying essential infrastructure in the Mkhomazi area by the Scottburgh Regional Court. Sphiwe Mngadi and an accomplice were caught by two PRASA security guards patrolling the rail reserve in April 2018.
Gauteng unveils transport authority board
Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Road Infrastructure Jacob Mamabolo says good corporate governance is critical for the success of the Gauteng Transport Authority (TAG). “The TAG is committed to good corporate governance and constantly strives to improve its governance framework to align it with best practice is to address fundamental governance concerns. These include nurturing an ethical culture in an organisation, good performance, and effective control and legitimacy,” he said this week …
Converting truck fleets to LNG could reduce transport costs by 30% – Renergen
With diesel prices at a record high, liquefied natural gas (LNG) has the potential to lower the transportation costs of major logistics companies by up to 30%, LNG and helium developer Renergen CEO Stefano Marani said at the Junior Mining Indaba on June 1. “This means that the conversion of their trucks from diesel to LNG has become a significant value proposition,” he said.