Transport News
Ramaphosa uses investment gathering to highlight reform progress, as pledges nudge R1.2tr target
President Cyril Ramaphosa used the fourth South Africa Investment Conference to reassure investors that steady progress was being made on implementing the economic reforms that are regarded as crucial for raising levels of growth and employment. In his opening address he highlighted the reform progress that had been made in the areas of electricity, digital communications, freight logistics and in opening up the country to skilled professionals to work and do business.
Pumps supplier offers solution to municipal woes
Local pumps manufacturer Werner Pumps is poised to assist with service delivery solutions for wastewater and sewerage system maintenance and repairs, says Werner Pumps MD Sebastian Werner. He attributes this “call to action” to an increased focus on service delivery which has been brought to the fore subsequent to the local government elections, held in November, which saw new municipal leaders step into office.
Fleet Enable research shows final mile carriers should automate
Two white papers make the case for using software platform to streamline operations and back office
IntelliTrans Helps Address Supply Chain Talent Shortage with Automation & Freight Management Service
Dispatch Oversight Services, Intervene with Carriers, Automated Spot Bidding, and More
DAT and FourKites Bring Supply Chain Visibility to North America’s Largest Freight Marketplace
The strategic partnership provides unparalleled end-to-end visibility that enables brokers to improve customer service and strengthen relationships with carriers
Japan to trial first hydrogen fuel cell train
Passenger rail operator JR East, formerly East Japan Railway, will begin safety testing the country’s first hydrogen-powered train at the end of the month, industry body the World Platinum Investment Council reveals. The Hybari train has been developed with Hitachi and Toyota Motor, with the latter providing the train’s proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system, using its expertise garnered through producing the Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) passenger vehicle and the SORA FCEV bus, the council points out.
Iata has launched industry-wide methodology to calculate airline carbon dioxide emissions
The global representative body for the airline industry, the International Air Transport Association (Iata), has launched a methodology to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions generated per passenger during a specific flight. Called the ‘Iata Recommended Practice Per-Passenger CO2 Calculation Methodology’, it is the first such methodology developed by the airline industry itself. “Airlines have worked together through Iata to develop an accurate and transparent methodology using verified airline operational data,” highlighted Iata director-general Willie Walsh. “This provides the most accurate CO2 calculation for organisations and individuals to make informed choices about flying sustainably. This includes decisions on investing in voluntary carbon offsetting or sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use.”
FFS Refiners, Rubis Asphalt partner to ensure security of bitumen supply
Bitumen – commonly used in road construction and maintenance – is now more widely available to the Western Cape market as a result of a partnership agreement between sustainable hydrocarbon solutions provider FFS Refiners and Rubis Asphalt South Africa. The agreement has already resulted in the arrival of the first bulk bitumen import into land-based tanks, arriving on March 3, at the Cape Town Harbour.
KPI INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS WELCOMES SHAYNE DOWNING, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
KPI Integrated Solutions (KPI) is proud to announce and welcome Shayne Downing as one of the Company’s Account Executives.
KPI INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS WELCOMES AMY MARUSAK, SIMULATION ENGINEER I
KPI Integrated Solutions (KPI) is proud to announce and welcome Amy Marusak as one of the Company’s Simulation Engineers.
Ocean shipping reform act could become law by springtime
Bill passes committee vote, heads to full Senate for debate.
Cabinet to make a final decision on e-tolls soon, says Mbalula
A decision on the future of e-tolls will be announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during the budget speech in February 2022, according to Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula. The Department of Transport on Monday issued a statement refuting reports that Cabinet had already made a final decision on the future of e-tolls. Moneyweb on Monday reported that government intends to scrap e-tolls.
Sanral embarks on R1.2bn of road upgrades in Eastern Cape town
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has allocated R1.2-billion to be invested on road maintenance and construction projects in the town of Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. Speaking at a stakeholder engagement session on November 25, Sanral regional manager Mbulelo Peterson said the agency was open to working with small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) to help realise economic prosperity in the area.
Rolls-Royce and Air bp sign sustainable aviation fuel agreement
UK-based global major power and propulsion technology and systems group Rolls-Royce and Air bp, the aviation fuels division of global major energy group bp (previously branded BP and also UK-based), have signed an agreement under which the latter will supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to the former. The SAF will be used in tests of gas turbine engines at three Rolls-Royce sites. The sites are Derby, which is focused on civil aerospace engines, Bristol, which specialises in defence aerospace power plants, both of which are in the UK, and Dahlewitz, which concentrates on business aviation engines, and which is located in Germany. The SAF will be mixed with conventional jet fuel, to produce a 10%-SAF and 90%-conventional fuel blend.
M&R subsidiary part of consortium awarded a A$5bn Australian rail contract
JSE-listed engineering and contracting group Murray & Roberts (M&R) has announced that a consortium of which its subsidiary Clough is a member, has been selected as the preferred bidder to develop a section of the Inland Rail project, in Queensland. The Regionerate Rail consortium comprises Clough, the Plenary Group, GS Engineering and Construction, Webuild and Service Steam.
Comair switches line maintenance of its airliners from Lufthansa Technik to SAA Technical
South African private sector airline group Comair has announced that, as a pre-emptive precaution, it has transferred the line maintenance of its fleet to South African Airways Technical (SAAT) from the South African operation of Lufthansa Technik. This was because the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) had made a number of findings regarding Lufthansa Technik, following its recent review of its maintenance facility at OR Tambo International Airport, east of Johannesburg. While Lufthansa Technik passed its routine SACAA audit last month, an unscheduled SACAA review in recent days found a number of issues (known as “findings”) at the facility. These have to be addressed within 24 hours or its Approved Maintenance Organisation licence would be suspended (which would be on Wednesday).
N3 Van Reenen’s blockade holds trucking industry hostage, RFA says
The transport and logistics industry is being held captive, as the vital N3 route between the Port of Durban and the interior has been blocked again, with violence and looting having occurred, according to some reports, industry organisation the Road Freight Association’s (RFA’s) CEO Gavin Kelly reported on December 3. "Individuals have taken the law into their own hands to pull drivers from trucks to check their personal documents. The reports are that the South African Police Service (SAPS) is monitoring the situation.
Minerals Council, SAAFF outline requirements to get Lebombo/Ressano Garcia border congestion …
With delays at the Lebombo/Ressano Garcia border post on the Maputo corridor between South Africa and Mozambique having cost trucking companies R1.3-billion in lost revenue this year, the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) and the Minerals Council South Africa have requested the South African government to take urgent steps to address severe congestion at the border post. The SAAFF and the Minerals Council report that truck transporters confirm that border crossing times are the worst they have experienced in 15 years.
Sanral has R1.8bn of road construction projects planned for Sundays River municipality
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has planned multiple road construction projects worth R1.8-billion in the Sundays River local municipality, in the Eastern Cape. “In the Eastern Cape, we manage 4 952 km of our 22 214 km national road network. Our operations on the stretch of road that traverses the Sundays River local municipality will create over 900 job opportunities over the next five years,” says Sanral chairperson Themba Mhambi.
Shoprite creates on-demand JV with RTT to strengthen e-commerce activities
The Shoprite Group has entered into a joint venture (JV) with its existing Checkers Sixty60 logistics partner, the RTT Group, in which both parties will own 50%. The transaction follows the rapid growth of Shoprite’s on-demand grocery solution, Checkers Sixty60, in which RTT On-Demand, a division of the RTT Group, has played a pivotal role in last-mile logistics.