Transport News
Local sustainable aviation fuel production a major opportunity for South Africa
A report compiled for the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa (better known as WWF SA) has concluded that the local production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) would bring major economic and social, as well as environmental, benefits to the country. The report was compiled by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Process Engineering, Imperial Logistics, and Blue North Consulting. Financial support was provided by aerospace group Boeing. …
Iata reports that the air passenger traffic recovery continues
The recovery in air passenger traffic continued during March, the International Air Transport Association (Iata) has reported. (Iata is the representative body of the global airline industry.) The war in Ukraine had only a limited impact while the effects of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 were largely restricted to domestic markets in Asia. Overall air passenger traffic in March this year was 76% higher than in March last year. Domestic traffic rose 11.7% over the same period, but international traffic rocketed by 259.2%. However, domestic air travel in March 2022 was still 23.2% below the figure for March 2019 (before the Covid-19 pandemic hit). International air travel in March 2022 was 51.9% below the number for March 2019.
Airline and airline catering associations release new version of inflight catering agreement
The International Air Transport Association (Iata) and the Airline Catering Association (ACA) have jointly released an updated version of the Standard Inflight Catering Agreement (SICA). This followed the two bodies entering an agreement to strengthen their bilateral collaboration. Use of the SICA increases inflight catering procurement efficiency, worldwide. Based on industry best practices, the updated SICA template will be incorporated into the Iata Aircraft Handling Manual (use of which ensures the safe handling of aircraft while they are on the ground). It will also be included in ACA’s expanding onboard catering library.
Cameroon PM welcomes €123m loan for Bélabo-Ngaoundéré railway upgrade
Cameroon Prime Minister Joseph Ngute has welcomed the €106-million development finance institution European Investment Bank (EIB) loan and €17.1-million European Union (EU) grant to support upgrading of the 330 km Bélabo-Ngaoundéré railway line. The new EIB loan, EU investment grant and technical assistance will finance and support the €243-million project to enable faster and more reliable freight and passenger rail transport between central and northern Cameroon, enhance connections between the port of Douala, Chad and the Central African Republic, and provide a sustainable alternative to road transport.
Unions in passenger bus wage talks ink 6% wage deal
The South African Road Passenger Bargaining Council (Sarpbac) has announced that unions at the passenger bus wage talks have accepted a 6% wage offer and signed a deal with employers in the sector. This comes after months of tense negotiating between employer representatives and labour at the bargaining council, which threatened to collapse into a national strike in late April.
KZN transport dept allocated R12.4bn for 2022/23
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has been allocated R12.4-billion for 2022/23, with a large proportion of the funds to be spent on restoring infrastructure damaged in the recent floods. MEC Peggy Nkonyeni tabled the department’s 2022/23 budget at the Legislature August House on May 5 alongside Premier Sihle Zikalala and the MEC for Treasury Nomusa Dube-Nqube. The department has identified more than 1 369 projects, at an estimated value of R5.6-billion, to restore roads, bridges and …
DP World Maputo handles first citrus reefer export for 2022, offers new direct sailing service
DP World Maputo says it has successfully handled its first citrus reefer export of the 2022 season. Through a combination of new solutions, including a direct sailing service, DP World hopes to position itself as the “ideal gateway” for the South African citrus industry exporting to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Manufacturer expands product portfolio
Industrial engineered products and components manufacturer BMG’s range of hydraulic and pneumatic equipment has expanded its product portfolio to comprise a new portable self-locking cube jack system, that ensures safe and efficient lifting and lowering of heavy loads in many applications, including bridge maintenance and lifting of transformers. “Our new hydraulic Enerpac SCJ-50 Cube Jack, with a 56 t (500 kN) capacity, is a compact incremental lifting and lowering system with an automated mechanical locking facility for higher efficiency, faster operation and greater safety than conventional climbing jacks with wooden cribbing.
As drone deployment continues to expand, miners unearth whole-of-mine uses
The use of drones and ground-based robotics is evolving to such an extent locally that various companies are using them in all aspects of their operations, which is resulting in “bun fights” about which department gets to use the devices and payloads, says Dwyka Mining Services MD Jamie van Schoor. Using such technology is in line with calls in industry to embrace Industry 4.0, digitalise workflows and operations, increase efficiency and safety by removing humans from dangerous situations, and increase real-time Big Data capturing.
Pylon legs at N2 Msikaba Bridge project hydraulically jacked apart
The Msikaba Bridge project notched up an engineering milestone this month, when the south pylon legs were hydraulically jacked apart. The 580-m-long, stay cable bridge – which will span the 198-m-deep Msikaba Gorge – is located near Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape, and forms part of the South African National Roads Agency’s N2 Wild Coast project.
Distracted by shiny objects
The latest whiz-bang driver-assistance technologies are designed to make driving safer and easier, but instead they just make drivers complacent.
Warehouse demand growth boosts Equites’ full-year results
Intensifying demand for modern and future-proof warehousing solutions contributed to a strong financial year for real estate investment trust (Reit) Equites Property Fund. “Logistics properties globally continue to outperform, supported by sustained demand in the tenant and investor markets.
Zikalala says infrastructure repairs progressing
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has started with the construction of a temporary detour route near the N2 in uMkhomazi and Umgababa in the north of Durban. This will allow flow of traffic from the south to the north of Durban, which has been blocked since the floods in April.
Vessel backlogs cleared at Cape Town Container Terminal
The combination of consenting weather, an improved equipment reliability programme and increased human resources has cleared vessel backlogs at the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT), State-owned Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) said in a statement on May 4. “Vessels are now able to berth on arrival after several months of implementing a full-proof plan that kept on being sabotaged by bad weather,” said TPT Western Cape region managing executive Andiswa Dlanga, adding that intensive internal engagements had to take place for full buy-in of the executing teams.
Umgeni Steam Railway calls for donations to repair extensive flooding damage
Community tourism organisation Umgeni Steam Railway has called for public support to repairs to its track following the recent floods. It is calling on the public to donate landfill material, sand, rock and clean builders rubble, as well as the use of tractor-loader-backhoes, bobcats or similar equipment on select days to help with the process.
VWSA produces its one-millionth Polo for export
Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) has produced its one-millionth Polo for export at its plant in Kariega in the Eastern Cape, the company announced on May 3. “Given the current climate, with the pandemic and the semi-conductor crisis, this milestone is an especially strong moment for VWSA,” said VWSA chairperson and MD Robert Cisek.
Intercape urges govt intervention as attacks from taxi industry grow
Days after long-distance coach company Intercape went public about a violent campaign waged against the industry by rogue taxi associations, three more of its buses have come under attack in Gauteng. These attacks, which all happened in the last week of April, came after Intercape appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently intervene to stop the violence directed at the long-distance coach industry.
CapRock Partners Completes and Sells First Phase of 1.5-MSF Logistics Complex in North Las Vegas;
Leading investor and developer further defines burgeoning Southern Nevada submarket with historic state-of-the-art industrial real estate development; starts Phase 2 construction
DHL SUPPLY CHAIN INVESTING $400M IN ITS U.S. PHARMACEUTICAL AND MEDICAL DEVICE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
– Expands network 27% to 12.7 million sq. ft. by end of 2022 – Life Sciences & Healthcare is DHL Supply Chain’s fastest growing sector
Police recover stolen copper in Devland, Johannesburg
The South African Police Services (SAPS) raided the premises of a scrap metal dealer in Devland, near Johannesburg, and found a large cache of stolen copper cables. Working on a tip-off, the police officers searched a property and discovered copper cables belonging to Transnet Freight Rail (TFR), the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, Eskom and City Power.