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
Category: Ports & Terminals
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
Port of Durban Implements New Measures to Ease Container Congestion
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
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 Ports to Improve Within 14 Months, Transnet Pledges
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
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
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
Trafigura Launches Port Operations at Lobito, Transforming Logistics for the Copperbelt
Multinational commodities trader Trafigura has announced that Angola has received its first vessel at the minerals terminal at the Port of Lobito, a development expected to transform bimodal logistics serving the Copperbelt in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On July 12, the MV Lindsaylou, a bulk cargo vessel loaded with 40,500 tonnes of sulfur, docked at Lobito, marking the commencement of port operations for the Lobito Atlantic