South Africa’s ports, ranked among the world’s worst, are set for significant improvement within the next 12 to 14 months, according to Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. She stated that State-owned operator Transnet is committed to fixing the ports, which have been plagued by years of poor governance and infrastructure collapse. Despite challenges, including an energy crisis and a collapsing rail system, the new multi-party government led by President
Author: Constance Makungu
Transnet National Ports Authority Gradually Resumes Operations After Severe Western Cape Storms
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has announced the gradual resumption of operations after severe storms hit the Western Cape coast, leading to a temporary suspension of shipping movements for safety reasons. In a statement released late Thursday, TNPA reported that operations at the Port Elizabeth Bulk Terminal, Saldanha, and Cape Town Multipurpose Terminal had resumed on Wednesday. However, some ports are still facing challenges due to adverse weather conditions. “The
Container Rates Expected to Ease in Late 2024 Amid Market Shifts
Container rates are likely to ease in the second half of 2024 if current conditions persist without significant changes, according to the latest market update from Container xChange. This anticipated reduction could lead to an increase in container buyer activity, as buyers are currently waiting for prices to decline before resuming trading and leasing activities. The market outlook for the latter half of the year depends heavily on a revival
Shipping Companies Aim to Improve Fruit Quality by Controlling Full Reefer Logistics Chain
Shipping companies are increasingly taking control of the entire reefer logistics chain, from farm to final destination, to improve fruit quality and reduce wastage, according to logistics consultant Andy Connell. “It is inefficient to use reefers solely for port-to-port transport. They are mobile warehouses with refrigeration capabilities,” Connell told Freight News. “Reefers should be packed and kept under hermetically sealed conditions as close as possible to the point of production.
German Dock Workers Strike Amid Heated Wage Negotiations
German dock workers have launched strikes across the country as wage negotiations between the United Services Union (ver.di) and port operators intensify. Ver.di called for full-shift warning strikes at the Ports of Bremen and Wilhelmshaven on Wednesday and Thursday, while workers at the Ports of Hamburg and Bremerhaven initiated strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Port of Emden saw strikes on Wednesday only. This strike action aims to pressure employers
Eighteen Filipino Seafarers Rescued off Cape West Coast
Eighteen Filipino seafarers have been rescued off the Cape West Coast after abandoning their severely listing Panama-registered cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) announced that the seafarers were found in a life raft about 60 nautical miles from Doringbaai in the Atlantic Ocean early Monday morning. The life raft was detected around 3 a.m., prompting an immediate rescue response. A Mayday call was
Namibia and Botswana Progress on Joint Border Infrastructure Development
The Joint Steering Committee meeting held last week, led by NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute and Botswana Unified Revenue Service Commissioner General Jeanette Makgolo, convened to discuss progress reports at Charleshill in Botswana. This significant gathering was also attended by notable figures such as Road Fund Administration Chief Executive Officer Ali Ipinge and Fidelis Mwazi, head of the Namibian Agronomic Board, who both serve as committee members. The committee evaluated advancements
Rio Tinto SimFer Achieves Key Milestone in Simandou Rail Project Ahead of Schedule
In early July 2024, Rio Tinto SimFer announced the successful completion of bridge piling for the rail spur between Beyla and Kérouané, a critical part of the Simandou project. The construction team demonstrated exceptional efficiency, completing the task five months ahead of schedule. Over 165 days, they constructed 327 piles, poured 12,186 tonnes of concrete, and averaged two piles per day. If laid end to end, the piles would measure
CFM Celebrates 129th Anniversary with Major Rail Upgrades and Station Expansion
On 8 July 2024, the Ports and Railways of Mozambique (CFM) celebrated three significant milestones: their 129th anniversary, the completion of the first phase of a 42 km dual track upgrade on the Ressano Garcia Line, and the expansion of the Passenger Railway Terminal at Maputo Central Station. The Ressano Garcia Line project, inaugurated by President Filipe Nyusi, was self-funded by CFM at a cost of USD 80 million in
Volumes at Port of Beira trending upwards
Cold chain volumes in southern Africa are rising as capacity improves and the sector attracts more investment. Marco Grobbelaar, general manager at Independent Beira Logistics Terminals and Services (IBLT&S), reports a notable increase in volumes along the Beira corridor. Competitive landside operations and ocean freight rates compared to surrounding ports are key factors driving this growth. Import volumes of fertilizers and high expectations surrounding them also play a significant role