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
Category: Southern Africa
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
Transnet Freight Rail Boosts Coal Train Frequency to Port of Richards Bay
Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has announced an increase in the number of GF-class coal trains moving cargo to the Port of Richards Bay, ramping up from 21 to 28 trains per week. The rail division’s initiative is part of Transnet’s Recovery Plan and aims to address truck congestion solutions identified during a stakeholder collaboration in November 2023. TFR’s objective is to reduce truck loads and shift volume from road to
Angola’s Transport Minister Sets Ambitious Plan to Link National Rail Corridors
Ricardo D’Abreu, Angola’s Minister of Transport, has reiterated the government’s commitment to connecting the country’s three main national rail corridors, signaling a significant step towards enhancing transportation infrastructure. These corridors encompass the Northern Corridor, spanning the provinces of Luanda, Cuanza-Norte, and Malange; the Central Corridor, famously known as the Lobito Corridor, traversing Benguela, Huambo, Bié, and Moxico provinces; and the Southern Corridor, stretching from Moçâmedes in Namibe to Menongue in
FlyNamibia Expands Air Capacity to Meet Growing Demand in Lüderitz
The burgeoning energy market growth in Lüderitz has spurred the need for expanded air capacity to facilitate daily service between Namibia’s capital, Windhoek, and the port city in the southwestern coastal desert region. Introduced by FlyNamibia last July, the service has already seen approximately 5,000 passengers flying between Windhoek and Lüderitz. French multinational TotalEnergies played a pivotal role in implementing the service, alongside its groundbreaking work in offshore exploration drilling.
Transnet’s Port Partnership Sparks Economic Optimism in Cape Town
The City of Cape Town has hailed as “long overdue” the recent announcement by Transnet seeking a private partner for port development, marking a pivotal shift towards enhancing productivity. James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, praised the move as a critical step towards addressing the port’s well-documented inefficiencies, which have long burdened South Africans. He emphasized the significant impact of delayed imports on both exporters and consumers, stressing