Transport News
Africa’s transport sector to strongly benefit from AfCFTA
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is expected to increase intra-African trade in transport services by nearly 50% by 2030, the latest estimates by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) show. The estimates contained in the ‘Implications of the AfCFTA for demand for transport, infrastructure and services’ report indicate that, with AfCFTA in place, in absolute terms, more than 25% of intra-African trade gains in services would go to transport alone, and nearly 40% of the increase in Africa’s services production would be in transport.
R9bn road infrastructure project rolled out in Mpumalanga
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has begun the rollout of two major road infrastructure projects in Mpumalanga, worth about R9-billion. Both projects are still at the design stage, which the engineers will finalise soon, Sanral said in a statement on February 7.
Sanral to close sections of the N1 for geotechnical investigations
The N1 South-bound between the Flying Saucer Interchange and Botha avenue on the N1/R21 will be closed from 23:00 on February 6 to 04:00 on February 7 to allow for geotechnical investigations required for the rehabilitation of the N1 sinkhole near the Flying Saucer Interchange in Centurion. Only one lane will be open during this period.
At least R3bn needed to upgrade Transnet Freight Rail’s security infrastructure
State-owned Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) will need at least R3-billion to upgrade its security infrastructure across all of its corridors, with about 80% of this to be funded through external means, TFR North Corridor managing executive Thozama Mokoena revealed to Engineering News & Mining Weekly on February 16. She explained that TFR simply did not have the funds internally to roll out the desired and much-needed security upgrades, which would be rolled out in phases across strategic corridors.
The Brickworks to offer large-stand industrial park springboard in Durban
Property developer Investec Property, a subsidiary of Investec Bank, is redeveloping an old brick manufacturing site – the disused 157 ha Corobrik site in Durban’s northern motorway corridor – into an industrial park called The Brickworks. Primarily targeted towards logistics and distribution companies, The Brickworks offers accessibility to major arterial and alternative road networks.
Industrial supplier focuses on growth in port city
Despite the challenging business landscape, industrial and construction equipment supplier Shumani Industrial Equipment regards Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal, as a city with opportunities for businesses to grow. The Johannesburg-based company has enjoyed a growing market, which is expected to continue developing, in Durban, for the past two years.
Kenya Airways sees Russia’s invasion inflating air ticket costs
Kenya Airways said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will result in airlines increasing ticket prices after crude oil surged, while uncertainty may reduce demand for travel. “We have started seeing many of the airlines taking action on this to ensure that they are able to keep on flying,” commercial director Julius Thairu said in an interview.
Airlink announces new domestic route
South African private sector regional airline Airlink has announced that it is to inaugurate a new service, linking two of South Africa’s coastal cities. The route will be operated every day except Saturdays and will provide a direct link between Durban and Gqeberha (previously, and better known as, Port Elizabeth). Airlink already operates services between Gqeberha and Johannesburg and Gqeberha and Cape Town. The new route, of course, also increases the number of destinations that the airline serves from Durban. Already, the carrier flies from Durban to Johannesburg, Mbombela (Nelspruit) and Harare in Zimbabwe.
Drones successful in deterring railway cable theft syndicates UAV & Drone Solutions provides eyes in the sky, day or night, to deter infrastructure criminals and identify areas of concern
Johannesburg-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operator and developer UAV & Drone Solutions (UDS) proposes that government departments and State-owned entities (SOEs) use, to a far greater extent, the services it provides to curb critical infrastructure theft and vandalism. Cable theft for SOEs like Transnet, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and Eskom has a significant negative impact on the operators’ ability to transport people and goods; as well as to provide electricity.
CalAmp Promotes Brett Jackson to Senior Vice President of Transportation and Logistics
Jackson will lead CalAmp’s transportation and logistics sales team, revenue generation and go-to-market strategy
FourKites Unveils Robust Net Zero Initiative at World’s Largest Supply Chain Sustainability Event
As part of the global initiative, FourKites announces Sustainability Hub, which offers granular emissions tracking, industry benchmarks, analytics and scenario modeling to help customers meet sustainability goals
Amazon Recognizes Roadrunner as Leading LTL Freight Carrier
Roadrunner’s excellent on-time pickup rates and efficient data sharing practices via EDI earned accolades from the world’s largest retailer.
JRA depots to resume operations at full capacity
Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) depot workers will return to work on a full-time basis from February 16 following a directive from Johannesburg acting city manager Floyd Brink. The roads agency had to reduce capacity at its depots following the implementation of Covid-19 regulations in March 2020 and it not being declared an essential service. This has significantly affected the repair and maintenance of road infrastructure throughout the city.
Trac to wrap up new R248m Montrose interchange in 2023
Trans African Concessions (Trac) says it will go ahead with the construction of the much-anticipated Montrose interchange. This project, valued at R248-million, officially kicked off at the beginning of this year, and will see the upgrading of the existing at-grade intersection to a grade-separated free-flow interchange.
Sanral warns of R21 northbound lane closures to repair sinkholes
Two sinkholes formed on February 14 along the R21 northbound carriageway towards Pretoria, past the Olifantsfontein interchange. The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral), therefore, cautions the public and road users of road closures. “The R21 northbound will be reduced to two lanes in the direction of Pretoria just after the Olifantsfontein interchange for the foreseeable future, resulting in associated congestion during peak hour periods. "Road users are advised to take this into account in their daily planning and consider alternative routes such as the M18 and M57, which run parallel to the west of the R21 in the vicinity of the affected area,” says Sanral engineering executive Louw Kannemeyer.
Grindrod to post R871m core HEPS for 2021
JSE-listed Grindrod says it handled record mineral volumes at its Port and Terminals operations, as well as performed strongly within its coastal shipping and container depot business, in 2021. The group expects to report a 460% increase in headline earnings to between R603-million and R633-million for 2021, compared with a headline loss of R168-million reported in 2020.
Super Group profits increase on strong local vehicle sales
Despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges and tough trading conditions in several key markets and industry sectors, supply chain and vehicle dealership company Super Group increased its revenue for the six months ended December 31 by 8.4% year-on-year to R21.64-billion. The group’s operating profit increased by 29.7% to R1.59-billion, while its net asset value a share increased by 13.1% to R36.57 apiece.
South Africa urged to improve its ability to receive ultralarge container vessels
A new generation of ultralarge container vessels has been sailing the oceans in recent years. Container ships such as the Madrid Maersk, COSCO Shipping Universe, OOCL Hong Kong and Ever Golden can carry more than 20 000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). These vessels measure about 400 m in length, with beams of between 49 m and 59 m, and a draught of 15 m.
Metrorail to reinstate Cape Town to Bellville rail service
Commuter rail agency the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s Metrorail Western Cape will restore services between Cape Town and Bellville via Goodwood and will introduce a passenger service by Wednesday March 16, which will come with a new operating timetable. All the stations will be operational between Cape Town and Belville, with the exception of Parow station, which will need further repair works as it was badly vandalised. The line was closed as part of level 5 Covid-19 closures in March 2020.
Rea Vaya Phase 1C agreements signed
City of Johannesburg (CoJ) mayoral committee member for transport Funzi Ngobeni has signed three key agreements which pave the way for the operation of Rea Vaya Phase 1C route that will connect Phase 1A and 1B from the Johannesburg central business district to Alexandra, Greenstone and Sandton. The introduction of Rea Vaya Phase 1C will provide a safe, affordable and reliable transport to the residents of Berea, Yeoville, Orange Groove, Cheldondale, Norwood, Balfour Park, Bramley, Wynberg, Alexandra, Marlboro, Athol, Sandton, Sandown, Longmeadow and Greenstone. The service is expected to start operating before the end of June.