TNPA’s Bayhead Road Upgrade Advances to Phase 2, Strengthening Durban Port Access The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has confirmed that its Bayhead Road rehabilitation project — a key upgrade to the Port of Durban’s logistics corridor — is progressing on schedule. The strategic revamp aims to enhance port access, improve road safety, and strengthen the precinct’s infrastructure resilience. Since breaking ground in June 2025, the project has moved seamlessly
Category: Ports & Terminals
Global Shipping Faces Surge in Deadly Vessel Fires Amid Lithium Battery Risks
Rising Vessel Fires Claim Eight Seafarers in 2025, Sparking Safety Concerns Eight seafarers have lost their lives in vessel fires since June, highlighting mounting concerns within the maritime sector about the growing scale and complexity of onboard fire risks. The most recent fatality occurred last weekend, when a delivery ship captain died at the Port of Yeosu in South Korea. Container shipping has accounted for most of the recent casualties,
Explosion on Cargo Ship Halts Traffic at Baltimore Port
Baltimore Cargo Ship Explosion Shuts Port Channel, Sparks Investigation US investigators are probing the cause of an explosion aboard a coal-carrying cargo ship that shook the Port of Baltimore on Monday evening as the vessel set sail for East Africa. The blast lit up the night sky with flames and a thick plume of smoke over the Patapsco River, forcing the closure of the port’s main shipping channel. No injuries
South Africa’s Container Ports Exceed Weekly Throughput Expectations
South Africa Ports See 14.7% Weekly Container Throughput Growth, Port Elizabeth Leads South Africa’s container ports outperformed anticipated throughput targets during the week of August 4–10, according to the latest Cargo Movement Update (CMU). Compiled from data by the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) and Business Unity South Africa (Busa), the CMU shows an average of 13,121 TEUs handled daily, representing an increase of 1,683 TEUs per 24-hour
Port of Lobito Secures ISO Certification and Top Award at Angola Fair
Port of Lobito Achieves Positive ISO Certification Audit and Wins Top Award at Angola Municipalities Fair The Port of Lobito has recently received a positive evaluation of its Integrated Management System from auditing firm MS Certification, in line with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 standards. According to a report, the port authority earned top marks for quality management, environmental protection, and occupational health and safety. A team of
Cape Town Container Terminal Achieves Record-Breaking Performance
Cape Town Container Terminal Surpasses Targets by 62%, Marks Best Weekly Volume Since 2019 The Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) has achieved a record-breaking performance, exceeding its weekly target by 62% for the week ending 20 July, according to Transnet Port Terminals (TPT). This performance marks a major milestone for CTCT, a port historically challenged by severe weather and equipment breakdowns. TPT described the result as a “remarkable turnaround,” noting
DP World to Invest $800 Million in Redevelopment of Syria’s Port of Tartus
DP World Invests $800M to Transform Syria’s Tartus Port into Major Regional Trade Hub DP World has announced a landmark investment of $800 million to redevelop and operate the Port of Tartus in Syria, aiming to transform it into a key trade hub connecting Southern Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The investment forms part of a 30-year concession agreement with Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports
South African Ports Exceed Container Handling Targets Amid Recovery Plan Success
South African Ports Break Records with 101,295 Containers Handled in a Week Ports along South Africa’s coastline handled 101,295 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) last week—surpassing the weekly target for all container terminals by 15%. Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) announced on Monday that this marks the highest weekly container throughput since the 2017/2018 financial year, when 101,871 TEUs were moved, a record that still stands. This performance reflects steady gains achieved
Transnet Faces Prolonged Cash Burn as S&P Downgrades Credit Rating
S&P Downgrades Transnet, Warns of Cash Burn Through 2027 Without Government Support Transnet, South Africa’s state-owned freight rail and ports operator, is expected to burn cash for at least the next three years, according to a new forecast by S&P Global Ratings, as reported by BusinessLive on Tuesday. Citing an unsustainable capital structure in the absence of ongoing state support, S&P downgraded Transnet’s credit rating. The agency also warned that
DRC to Launch Four One-Stop Border Ports to Boost Regional Trade with Burundi
DR Congo to Open Four Trade Ports in South Kivu to Enhance Regional Integration and Cut Logistics Costs The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is set to enhance regional economic integration with the upcoming launch of four one-stop border ports in South Kivu province. The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 22, in Kinshasa following a strategic meeting between Minister of Foreign Trade Julien Paluku and Project Coordinator Thierry Kayembe.