Coal theft in South Africa’s road freight sector, often facilitated by collusion between syndicates and corruptible truck drivers, can be effectively addressed through innovative technological solutions, says a leading provider of such technology, JustWeights. Their interventionist strategy aims to prevent breakdowns at coal-fired power stations and root out corruption among transporters. By implementing automated weighbridge systems and load-sample testing using cost-effective truck auger systems, JustWeights ensures the integrity of coal
Category: Southern Africa
Fierce wind disrupts cargo at the Port of Cape Town
Severe storms disrupted container movement at the Port of Cape Town last week when wind speeds of up to 110 kilometres an hour forced ship-to-shore (STS) cranes to shut down automatically. According to Freight News contributor Clifford Evans, one of the STS units recorded wind speed of about 60 knots at the port yesterday morning. It brought container movement to a halt as the hoisting and parallel movement of containers
Liner collides with MPV in Port of Cape Town
Strong winds and large swells are mentioned as possible contributing factors to the collision between a cruise liner and a berthed cargo vessel in the Port of Cape Town on Friday morning, April 5. The Ambience, a 240-metre cruise liner with about 1 400 people on board, was apparently on its way to the passenger terminal when it collided with the Grey Fox, a general cargo multipurpose vessel (MPV). No injuries were reported.
Transnet Port Terminals Prepares for Citrus Export Surge
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) is gearing up to support the upcoming citrus export season, as forecasts predict a significant 15% increase in volumes for 2024. Michelle van Buren Schele, TPT’s general manager of commercial and planning, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to facilitating a successful export season for the citrus fruit industry. To accommodate the higher volume of traffic, TPT has implemented several measures across its container terminals in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Cargo crime weighs heavily on South Africa’s transport sector
Recent research conducted by the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) has shed light on the concerning state of security within South Africa’s supply chains. Over the past year, the country has grappled with more than 40,000 crimes affecting supply chains, as reported by the South African Police Service. These incidents, ranging from high-profile truck hijackings to common robberies and stock theft, underscore the pervasive nature of security threats faced by
Confronting the China Challenge in Africa: The Lobito Corridor
The Lobito Corridor project in Africa is a significant infrastructure initiative aimed at creating a vital trade route. It seeks to connect the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”) and Zambia to Angola’s Atlantic coast port city of Lobito. This project holds particular interest for some Western nations, potentially serving as a counterpoint to China’s expansive Belt and Road Initiative (“BRI”). China remains a dominant economic force in Africa,
Zambia Eyes “Once-in-a-Lifetime” Opportunity with Angolan Rail Link
President Hakainde Hichilema foresees a significant economic shift for Zambia, with a US-backed project poised to link the nation’s copper mines to Angola’s port of Lobito, offering unprecedented opportunities. This ambitious initiative, supported by global powers like the US, EU, and G7, aims to establish the Lobito Corridor, a transformative railway network spanning Zambia and Angola. The Lobito Corridor project promises to revolutionize transit times for mining supplies and exports,
AGL Signs Contract to Manage Walvis Bay Terminal
On March 20, 2024, Africa Global Logistics (AGL) inked a deal to oversee operations at the Walvis Bay Multipurpose Bulk Terminal in Namibia, a pivotal moment witnessed by Tony Stenning, Regional Director for South Africa, and Andrew Kanime, CEO of Namport, the National Port Authority of Namibia. This appointment follows Namport’s international call for tenders initiated in January 2023, underscoring local authorities’ trust in AGL’s industrial vision and commitment to
Aviation Partnership Between Mozambique and Angola Sets New Flight Paths
Mozambican and Angolan aviation authorities forged a partnership last week aimed at expanding flight destinations to meet growing demand and foster economic development between the two nations. João de Abreu, President of the Mozambique Civil Aviation Institute (IACM), revealed that the memorandum empowers Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM) and Linhas Aéreas de Angola (TAAG) to extend their flight networks beyond Luanda and explore additional provincial capitals. Abreu emphasized reciprocal freedom,
Angola Ports Association Advocates for Maritime Transport Investment
The Angola Ports Association (APANG) advocates for increased investment in maritime transport to address challenges related to internal mobility and competitive pricing. Manuel Nazaré Neto, President of APANG, emphasized the importance of staff training, infrastructure development, and port equipment modernization in enhancing domestic maritime transport. He urged the private sector to prioritize maritime passenger transport, emphasizing its pivotal role in national development. Speaking at the fifth round table on “National