PORTS, TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SECTOR NEWS ROUND-UP, 4/2020 (17 – 28 FEBRUARY 2020)
In light of the rapid pace of infrastructure and transport developments across Africa, our Ports, Transport and Logistics (PTL) Sector Group is pleased to present Bowmans’ latest PTL news round-up. Our regular round-ups bring you a selection of pan-African PTL-related stories and keep you up to date regarding developments in the space across Africa.
We draw on a network of multi-disciplinary experts across Africa in fields as diverse as project finance, construction and environmental law, to keep you in the know about developments and thought leadership in the PTL space.
The articles to which we refer readers are, unless stated otherwise, neither written nor edited by ourselves and appear in their original form. Bowmans does not necessarily agree with opinions expressed in those articles.
This edition includes news headlines and links to articles from a variety of sources, covering stories from Cameroon, Eritrea, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, South Africa and Tanzania.
APMT West Africa Container Terminal orders 20 RTGs from Konecranes (Nigeria)
Source: Africa Ports (28 February 2020)
Additional details are to hand about the upgrading of terminal facilities and equipment at the APM Terminals-operated West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in the port of Onne, Eastern Nigeria. Read the full article here.
DTI planning on taking equity in South Africa's SEZs (South Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (28 February 2020)
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is planning to take up equity in the country’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs), says Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Fikile Majola. Read the full article here.
Transnet responds to industry criticism and places equipment orders for port terminals (South Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (27 February 2020)
Transnet Port Terminals is reported to have invested R2 billion to replace and strengthen existing cargo handling equipment at the country’s ports. Read the full article here.
Spotlight on investment in transport infrastructure at Maputo conference (Mozambique)
Source: Africa Ports (27 February 2020)
Transport infrastructure in Mozambique and its surrounding countries continue to attract attention, particularly the investment in and needs of its development. If it is the latter, the port, rail and road authorities have to balance long-term needs against short-term project pressures. Read the full article here.
The Budget: Promises on progress to free up rail and ports (South Africa)
Source: FTW Online (27 February 2020)
Where finance minister Tito Mboweni’s budget speech was light on logistics and freight transport-related content and promises, the Budget Review expands on the hints given by president Cyril Ramaphosa in his state of the nation address. Read the full article here.
Port of Ngqura Liquid Bulk Terminal placed on hold: Lack of interest cited (South Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (26 February 2020)
Oiltanking Grindrod Calulo (Pty) Ltd (OTGC) announced on Tuesday (25 February) that the development of the Liquid Bulk Terminal in the Port of Ngqura has stalled. Read the full article here. Also reported by Creamer Media’s Engineering News here.
Pointe Noire's Congo Terminal infrastructure officially inaugurated (Republic of Congo)
Source: Africa Ports (26 February 2020)
A range of new infrastructure for the Congo Terminal at Pointe Noire has been officially inaugurated by President Denis Sassou Nguesso. Read the full article here.
Total orders eight LNG carriers for Mozambique gas project (Mozambique)
Source: Africa Ports (26 February 2020)
The French oil company Total has signed Letters of Intent for eight liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to be built in South Korea to serve the Afungi production unit in northern Mozambique from 2024. Read the full article here.
Kenya Ports Authority faces criticism over new port charges (Kenya)
Source: FTW Online (26 February 2020)
Shippers and key stakeholders have expressed concern over the new port charges at the port of Mombasa, Kenya, stating that the charges are “punitive and impractical.” Read the full article here.
APM Terminals boost for West Africa Container Terminal, Onne (Nigeria)
Source: Africa Ports (25 February 2020)
The West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) is quickly earning a reputation as the gateway to Eastern Nigeria and a strong alternative to ports in Lagos. Read the full article here.
Australian company secures two LNG agreements (Mozambique)
Source: FTW Online (25 February 2020)
As the world descends on Mozambique in search of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Australian engineering conglomerate Worley announced last week that it had been awarded two master service agreements by Total E&P Mozambique Area 1 Limitada (Total). Read the full article here.
Denmark and Cameroon explore co-operation in maritime affairs (Cameroon)
Source: Africa Ports (24 February 2020)
Denmark’s ambassador to Cameroon has had a meeting with the Cameroon Minister of Transport, Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe, to explore areas where the two countries can cooperate in the maritime sector. Read the full article here.
Takoradi to pilot single window ICUMS system from Friday 21 February (Ghana)
Source: Africa Ports (24 February 2020)
Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) will pilot its new single window Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) at the Port of Takoradi from this Friday, 21 February 2020. Read the full article here.
Palabora Mining and Grindrod conclude a 5-year logistics contract (South Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (21 February 2020)
Palabora Mining Company Ltd and Grindrod Limited, on Thursday (20 February 2020) announced the conclusion of a 5-year contract involving the handling and storage of 5-million tonnes per annum of magnetite at Grindrod’s Matola terminal in Mozambique. Read the full article here.
Richards Bay gas-to-power proposal made in response to South African call for emergency solutions (South Africa)
Source: Creamer Media’s Engineering News (21 February 2020)
A black-empowered consortium that includes companies with extensive gas-to-power experience has made a formal submission to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) in which plans for power generation plants capable of adding between 300 MW and 3 300 MW to South Africa’s grid within 12 to 36 months are outlined. Read the full article here.
Port of Tema gets serious about attracting larger vessels (Ghana)
Source: FTW Online (20 February 2020)
As part of a strategy to attract larger vessels, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) has commissioned three new tugboats for the Port of Tema. Read the full article here.
AfriTin delivers first shipment to Thai client (Namibia)
Source: Creamer Media’s Engineering News (18 February 2020)
Aim-listed AfriTin Mining has delivered its first tin concentrate shipment of 6 t, grading more than 60%, to Thailand Smelting and Refining Company (TSRC). Read the full article here.
Tanzania secures US$ 1.46 billion loan for Standard Gauge Railway (Tanzania)
Source: Africa Ports (17 February 2020)
Tanzania has secured a loan from 17 lenders valued at US$ 1.46 billion to be used to further extend the standard gauge railway (SGR) being built from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma. Read the full article here.
DP World to upgrade, maintain Eritrean ports (Eritrea)
Source: Creamer Media’s Engineering News (17 February 2020)
The Red Sea state of Eritrea contracted DP World to upgrade its ports as regional peace brings increased business to its shores. Read the full article here.