More than 40 travel agents from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) attended the inaugural meeting hosted by Angolan Airlines (TAAG) in Kinshasa on Wednesday last week. This event, themed “Fly with TAAG,” aimed to showcase the benefits of TAAG’s products and services and promote routes from Kinshasa, with Luanda serving as the central hub connecting DRC to the global network. According to a statement from TAAG, this initiative underscores
Category: Southern Africa
Luanda Truckers Advocate for Government Assistance to Upgrade Aging Fleet
Osvaldo Mateus, president of the Luanda Truck Drivers Association (ANCL), has urged the government to step in and provide institutional financing to help truckers acquire new fleets, replacing their aging vehicles that are often over 30 years old. In an interview with Jornal de Angola, Mateus highlighted the pressing issue of a shortage of parts in both domestic and foreign markets, exacerbating the challenge of maintaining these older trucks. He
Angolan President highlights importance of the Lobito Corridor to regional development
The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, reiterated previously, in Dallas, Texas, the importance of the Lobito Corridor for the development of the southern region of the continent. The Head of State was speaking at the high-level dialogue of the 16th US-Africa Business Summit, addressing the theme of Investment in strategic infrastructures, sustainable growth. João Lourenço highlighted that this road infrastructure, which received American financing, will bring development not only
Angola’s TAAG Airlines and Pratt & Whitney Canada Sign Six-Year Engine Maintenance Agreement
TAAG Angola Airlines and RTX Pratt & Whitney Canada have entered into a six-year engine maintenance agreement, ANGOP reported last week from Luanda. The agreement covers 13 PW150A engines and an additional spare kept in inventory, according to a statement from the Angolan carrier. This collaboration is part of a Fleet Management Program (FMP™), allowing Pratt & Whitney to tailor its services to meet TAAG’s specific operational needs. TAAG’s CEO,
China’s Ambassador Highlights Benefits of Caio Deep Water Terminal in Angola
China’s ambassador to Angola, Zhang Bin, emphasized the significant advantages the Caio Deep Water Terminal in northern Cabinda will bring to commercial relations between Angola, other African regions, and beyond. Speaking during his recent visit to the terminal’s construction site, Ambassador Zhang noted that the project would not only foster socio-economic development in Cabinda province but also enhance trade exchanges with various regions across the continent and globally. The diplomat
Port of Lobito Staff Undergo Training on Integrated Quality Management System
Staff at the Port of Lobito in Benguela province are attending a training session from Thursday to Sunday in the port city. The session focuses on the implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) and is directed at managers, department heads, and sector leaders. Manuela José, the Human Resources Director, emphasized the port’s commitment to good management practices, aiming to ensure compliance with and applicability of port policies and
Angola’s New Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport Set for Certification by Year-End
The Minister of Transport, Ricardo d’Abreu, announced that the New Dr. António Agostinho Neto International Airport (NAILAAN) in Angola will receive its certification by the last quarter of this year, enabling it to handle passenger traffic. This certification is part of a broader initiative to certify five key national airports. Speaking at an Aerodrome Certification Seminar, d’Abreu stated that following the certification of NAILAAN, the government plans to certify five
New Multi-Purpose Vessel Enhances Port of Cape Town’s Marine Fleet
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is constructing a new multi-purpose vessel to enhance marine fleet availability at the Port of Cape Town. The keel-laying ceremony, a traditional milestone marking the start of construction, took place in Cape Town on Friday. In line with maritime tradition, a Mandela Peace Prize coin was placed under the keel to invite good fortune during construction and the vessel’s operational life. Damen Shipyards Cape Town
Maersk’s Earnings Plunge Amid Prolonged Red Sea Crisis
A prolonged crisis in the Red Sea has been identified as a significant factor behind AP Moller-Maersk’s sharp decline in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA), which dropped 92% year-on-year (YoY) for the first quarter (Q1) of 2024. While gross revenue stood at $3.2 billion for Q1 in 2023, the line’s EBITDA fell to $1.5 billion. Excluding depreciation and amortisation, EBIT decreased to $117 million from $2.3 billion
Urgent Upgrades Needed to Boost Competitiveness of South African Ports
Addressing the persistent equipment issues at South African ports is crucial for maintaining the competitiveness of the sea freight sector. Years of neglect and mismanagement of funds have led to significant capital expenditure shortfalls, creating substantial challenges in upgrading the necessary infrastructure. While borrowing funds remains an option, it exacerbates the country’s escalating debt levels. Peter Besnard, CEO of the South African Association of Ship Operators and Agents (Saasoa), underscores