Container operations at South Africa’s port terminals have significantly improved, reaching a daily average of 8,246 containers, according to the latest Container Movement Update from the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) and Business Unity South Africa (Busa). This marks a notable recovery following two weeks of declining activity. In late August, container movement had dropped from an average of 6,747 containers per day on August 23 to 6,537
Category: Ports & Terminals
Walvis Bay Port to Boost Operations with Private Management under TiL
The Port of Walvis Bay in Namibia is poised to make a significant leap in its operations as its container handling will transition to private management by Terminal Investment Limited (TiL). Originally slated for the second quarter of 2023, the much-anticipated concession will now officially begin on October 1, 2024, following the finalization of a joint venture between Namport and TiL, known as Terminal Investment Namibia (TiN). The privatization of
Grindrod to Acquire Full Ownership of Matola Terminal for $77 Million
Ports and logistics group Grindrod has announced plans to acquire the remaining 35% stake in Terminal de Carvão da Matola (TCM) at Maputo Port from Vitol Mauritius for $77 million. Grindrod, listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), currently holds a 65% interest in the Mozambican terminal. TCM operates the Matola dry bulk terminal, which has an annual capacity to export over seven million tons of bulk materials, primarily magnetite
Construction of Angola’s Amboim Port to Begin Soon
Nelson dos Santos, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Port of Amboim, announced last week in Sumbe that construction of the new port facility in Porto-Amboim, Cuanza-Sul province, will soon commence. This statement followed a courtesy meeting with provincial governor Mara Quiosa, aimed at welcoming her and discussing the port’s development. Dos Santos confirmed that preparations for the project are in advanced stages, with construction expected to begin
Mozambique Awards 15-Year Concession for Chongoene Port Terminal Development
The Mozambican government has granted a 15-year concession for the construction, operation, maintenance, and management of the Chongoene Port Terminal in Gaza province. This public-private partnership involves a joint venture between Chinese firm Desheng Port and the state-owned Mozambican Ports and Railways (CFM). The concession was formalized through a decree approved by the Council of Ministers on August 26, which outlines the legal framework for this public-private partnership. The decree
Tanzania-DP World Partnership to Eliminate Container Fees and Reduce Port Costs
Tanzania’s partnership with Dubai-based logistics giant DP World is set to bring significant cost reductions at the Dar es Salaam port, including the elimination of container demurrage fees. This move is expected to save the port approximately $600 million (Sh1.62 trillion) annually, according to Zanzibar Investment News. Plasduce Mbossa, Director-General of the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), announced that the typical $1,000 fee for delayed containers at the port has been
British International Investment and DP World Commit $35 Million to DRC’s First Deepwater Port
British International Investment (BII) and DP World have announced a $35 million investment to develop the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) first deepwater container port. This initiative continues their partnership, which began in 2021, and aims to modernize and expand port infrastructure across Africa, following similar projects in Senegal, Egypt, and Somaliland. The new port at Banana, situated on the Atlantic coast, will serve as the primary gateway for all
Transnet Seeks Debt Relief as Freight and Port Services Struggle
South Africa’s state-owned logistics company, Transnet, is requesting debt relief from the government as it attempts to repair its balance sheet and restore its freight rail and port capacities, according to the company’s chairman, Andile Sangqu, on Tuesday. Transnet is burdened with 130 billion rand ($7.30 billion) in debt and has faced difficulties in providing adequate freight rail and port services due to equipment shortages and maintenance backlogs, stemming from
Port of Beira Reports 58% Surge in Container Handling Amid Strategic Upgrades
Mozambique’s Port of Beira has experienced a 58% year-on-year increase in container handling between January and May 2024, moving 161,000 containers compared to 102,000 during the same period in 2023. This significant growth was reported by Jan de Vries, CEO of Cornelder de Moçambique, the concession company managing the port. According to Agência de Informação de Moçambique (AIM), the port’s general cargo terminal also saw a rise in activity, handling
India’s Major Ports Face Indefinite Strike as Dockworkers Demand Wage Resolution
Dockworkers at India’s twelve largest ports have announced an indefinite strike starting August 28, following prolonged and unsuccessful negotiations over wages and allowances that have been stalled for more than three years. The decision to strike was made after a two-day meeting at V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi, where members of the All India Port and Dock Workers’ Federation expressed their frustration over the ongoing deadlock in wage discussions. The