The Port of Cape Town has reached a significant milestone by accommodating the MSC Ines, the longest vessel ever to dock at the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT). The 348.5-meter vessel surpassed the previous record of 336 meters for ‘length overall restrictions’ at the port. MSC Director of Operations, Captain Ian Rosario, attributed this achievement to the guidance of Harbourmaster Captain Alex Miya and Deputy Harbourmaster Captain Marcus Rammutloa, along
Category: Southern Africa
Transnet Pushes Forward with Review Process Amid Durban Terminal Dispute
Transnet has announced it will act quickly to advance Part B of the review process for the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 dispute, pledging to proceed “without undue delay.” On Friday, the state-owned company (SOC) issued a statement confirming it would soon petition the court for a preferential hearing date for the review. The statement follows a Durban High Court ruling this week in which APM Terminals (APMT), a
20 Crew Rescued After Fire Engulfs Sea Harvest Vessel Near Cape Town
Twenty crew members were safely rescued after a fire broke out aboard the Sea Harvest fishing vessel, MVF Armana, while it was sailing approximately 60 nautical miles off the coast of Cape Town, Western Cape, on Sunday. The fire occurred during the early morning hours on the 62-year-old vessel, initially raising concerns that it might sink. However, the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC), based at the South African Maritime Safety
SAA Expands African Network with New Johannesburg-Lubumbashi Route and Increased Flight Frequencies
South African Airways (SAA) has announced the launch of direct flights between Johannesburg and Lubumbashi, scheduled to commence on November 4. This new route joins SAA’s existing service to Kinshasa, providing five weekly flights to both key Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) destinations. In addition to this new service, SAA has outlined a substantial increase in flight frequencies to several African cities starting in November. Flights to Harare and Lusaka
Congestion at South Africa-Botswana Border Post Disrupts Trade
South Africa’s northern supply chain border post with Botswana, Groblersbrug, was once more renowned for 4×4 excursions to exotic locations than for heavy cargo logistics. However, it has recently become plagued by severe road freight congestion since the Department of Home Affairs implemented a biometric system designed to capture the data of pedestrians, travelers, and truck drivers. While this initiative is part of the Border Management Authority’s (BMA) ongoing efforts
South Africa’s Container Throughput Declines Amid Operational Challenges and Court Ruling
Following a relatively stable performance at the end of September, the beginning of October saw an 8% decline in container throughput at South African ports, dropping from a daily average of 8,072 to 7,384 containers week-on-week. The latest Cargo Movement Update, compiled by the South African Association of Freight Forwarders and Business Unity SA, indicated that port operations were primarily hampered by inclement weather, equipment breakdowns, and shortages. The report
Durban Container Terminal Concession Halted as Court Rules in Favor of APM Terminals
More than a year after South Africa’s freight industry learned that Transnet awarded a concession tender to International Container Terminal Services Incorporated (ICTSI) to operate Pier 2 at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT), the privatisation process has been halted—at least for now. This development follows a ruling by the Durban High Court in favor of an interdict application lodged by APM Terminals last October. Transnet had awarded ICTSI a 25-year
South Africa’s Groblersbrug Border Faces Delays Amid Biometrics Rollout and Beitbridge Congestion
Cross-border transporters are experiencing up to three-day delays at South Africa’s Groblersbrug border with Botswana, impacted by a new biometric system implemented by the Border Management Authority (BMA) and ongoing congestion issues at Beitbridge. According to Mike Fitzmaurice of the Transit Assistance Bureau, the BMA has introduced a biometric system requiring immigration officers to capture the biometrics of all travelers and truck drivers. While this process takes about 15 minutes
AFC Advances Zambia Lobito Rail Project with Angola and Zambia Concession Agreements
The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has achieved a major milestone in the Zambia Lobito Rail project by entering concession agreements with the governments of Angola and Zambia. The formal signing took place alongside the 79th United Nations General Assembly, with support from the U.S. G-7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGI) and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. These agreements position the AFC as the lead entity for funding,
Angola Seeks Operators for New Luanda Airport Concession
Angola’s government is inviting bids to manage the new Luanda Antonio Agostinho Neto International Airport under a 25-year concession. The Ministry of Transport has launched a formal tender process, with a deadline for proposals set for February 16, 2025. Interested parties must have operated at least one international airport for a minimum of three years, with prior annual traffic of at least 10 million passengers between 2018 and 2022. If