Public and private stakeholders have agreed on a series of changes aimed at alleviating congestion and delays for harbour carriers at the Port of Durban. These adjustments primarily target the landside dispatch of containers and are set to be trialed over two weeks, starting from 06h00 on August 16. The changes focus on improving Transnet’s current truck-slot booking system, which has been plagued by IT failures, corruption, and inefficiencies, leading
Author: Constance Makungu
Lufthansa Cargo Expands Fleet with 18th Boeing 777 Freighter
Lufthansa Cargo has taken delivery of its 18th Boeing 777 freighter, which arrived at Frankfurt Airport over the weekend. The long-haul aircraft was delivered directly from Boeing’s factory in Everett, USA, to the cargo airline’s largest hub in Frankfurt. “The B777F remains the most efficient and modern freighter in its class,” stated Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo. “This latest addition to our fleet represents a significant investment in our
CMA CGM Belem Loses 99 Containers Off Richards Bay Amid Severe Weather
The container vessel CMA CGM Belem, sailing under the Maltese flag, encountered severe weather off the coast of Richards Bay over the weekend, resulting in the loss of 99 containers. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) confirmed the incident, attributing it to a “significant stow collapse” during rough conditions on Friday night. Initially, the vessel sought refuge in Maputo Bay, but after further assessment, it was redirected to Gqeberha
Beitbridge Border Delays Resurface Despite $300 Million Overhaul
Traffic at the Beitbridge Border Post between South Africa and Zimbabwe has slowed to a frustrating pace, reminiscent of the pre-overhaul congestion. The border was redesigned by concessionaire Zimborders at a cost of $300 million, with the goal of streamlining cargo processing and reducing transit times. Despite these efforts, the situation has deteriorated, with truckers now facing delays of 24 hours or more, particularly on northbound routes. The $200 transit
Algeria and Tunisia Reopen Railway Link After Three Decades
After a 30-year hiatus, the railway connection between Algeria and Tunisia is officially back in operation. The service, initially halted in 1995 due to security concerns and again suspended in 2003 due to technical issues, marks a significant step in strengthening economic and social ties between the two North African nations. The National Company for Rail Transport in Algeria announced the resumption of services, with the inaugural commercial journey departing
INFOTUR Leverages Lobito Corridor to Boost National Tourism
The Institute for Tourism Promotion (INFOTUR) plans to capitalize on the Lobito Corridor to enhance national tourism, announced the General Director, Lukeni Araújo, in Luanda. During the operation of the Rovos Rail luxury train this month, which travels between Lobito, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after originating in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a total of 124 tourists were transported—60 entering Angola and 64 leaving. Araújo emphasized that
Zambia Reopens Borders with DRC After Two-Day Closure Amid Protests
Zambia has reopened its three border crossings with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after a two-day suspension triggered by protests in the neighboring country. The decision came after emergency negotiations between officials from both countries in Lubumbashi, DRC. A joint declaration issued following the meeting confirmed the reopening of the borders and emphasized the commitment of both nations to uphold regional trade agreements. Zambia’s Commerce and Trade Minister, Chipoka
Port of Beira Sets New Record with 442,000 Tons Processed in July 2024
In July 2024, the Port of Beira’s General Cargo Terminal reached a historic milestone by processing a record-breaking 442,000 tons of cargo. This remarkable achievement reflects a 122% increase compared to the 199,000 tons handled in July 2023, underscoring the port’s growing importance as a major logistical hub in southern Africa. The surge in cargo volume was primarily driven by a significant increase in imports to meet regional and domestic
South Africa’s Transnet Requires $669 Million to Revive Coal Export Line
South Africa’s state-owned rail company, Transnet, needs $669 million and five years to upgrade its equipment to restore the performance of its main coal export line, according to an internal report. Coal shipments dropped to a three-decade low of 48 million tons last year due to inefficiencies at Transnet, which attributed its struggles to a shortage of locomotives and spare parts. Additionally, infrastructure faults and signaling system issues are major
Benguela Railway to Restore Regular Train Services by November 2024
The Benguela Railway (CFB) has announced plans to resume regular train services between October and November 2024, addressing current limitations on seating capacity caused by technical issues. In a statement issued to Jornal de Angola, CFB apologized for the disruptions affecting daily rail transport for users in the provinces of Huambo, Moxico, Bié, and Lundas Norte and Sul. The reduction in seating has significantly impacted communities along the railway line