PORTS, TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SECTOR NEWS ROUND-UP, 8/2020 (11 – 22 MAY 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 Botswana, Burundi, DRC, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
For Coronavirus (Covid-19) related updates from South Africa…
Please see our dedicated ports and shipping web page for details of Covid-19 related regulatory changes, directions and updates in South Africa since 16 March. We also have a page dedicated to aviation regulatory changes, directions and updates.
Other news continues below…
Call for flexibility with ship chandling at the ports (South Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (22 May 2020)
No less than five Carnival Cruise ships are due to arrive in Durban next week, arriving between Tuesday 26 May to Thursday 28 May. The reason for each call is to take bunkers and to restock depleted supplies. Read the full article here.
Arrival of first Panamax vessel confirms Beira’s growing port prominence (Mozambique)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (22 May 2020)
Mozambique’s Port of Beira is increasingly growing in popularity, not just through regular vessel calls but also through the size of container ships berthing at the port. Read the full article here.
Iata predicts collapse of Africa’s airfreight sector without urgent funding (South Africa)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (22 May 2020)
The near-term demand for air freight is expected to remain strong, but the overall outlook for the airline industry is dire as passenger planes remain grounded and financial woes increase. Read the full article here.
Two seafarers on ship in Durban Harbour test positive with COVID-19 (South Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (21 May 2020)
Two members of the crew on board the Hapag-Lloyd container ship MONTPELLIER have tested positive with the coronavirus and the ship has been ordered to remain at the outer anchorage for 14 days. No cargo operations can be undertaken at this time. Read the full article here. Also reported in Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW here and in Creamer Media’s Engineering News here.
TNPA says its efforts of decongesting the port are 'bearing fruit' (South Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (21 May 2020)
Using biblical metaphor Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) says in a statement issued yesterday that its efforts of decongesting the port are bearing fruit. Read the full article here. Also reported in Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW here.
SA port construction projects remain on hold (South Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (21 May 2020)
Construction work on current infrastructure projects within South Africa’s ports will not resume under Level 4 of the country’s COVID-19 lockdown according to the latest list provided by Government. Read the full article here. Also reported in Creamer Media’s Engineering News here.
Chirundu remains a nightmare for Copper Belt cargo (DRC, Zimbabwe and Zambia)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (21 May 2020)
The Chirundu border with Zimbabwe remains one of the most problematic choke points into the Copper Belt area of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Read the full article here.
Port of Durban decongestion task team makes headway (South Africa)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (21 May 2020)
A partnership approach appears to have been catalyst in successfully addressing ongoing traffic pressure and congestion in the Port of Durban’s Bayhead Precinct and surrounding road networks. Read the full article here. Also reported in Creamer Media’s Engineering News here, and here.
US$4 billion NLNG Train 7 contract awarded to Saipem JV (Nigeria)
Source: Africa Ports (20 May 2020)
Saipem, in joint venture with Daewoo E&C Co Ltd and Chiyoda Corporation (SCD JV), has been awarded by Nigeria LNG Limited the contracts for the Engineering, Procurement & Construction of the Nigeria LNG Train 7 Project to be executed at Bonny Island LNG complex in Nigeria. Read the full article here.
Transnet brings on new straddles, increases gangs (South Africa)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (20 May 2020)
Transnet has taken decisive action to address key variables that contribute to terminal inefficiencies and poor landside performance - including the purchase of new equipment, initiatives to address employee morale, and an increased effort towards maintaining existing equipment to deliver better reliability and efficiency. Read the full article here.
E-commerce demand a bright spark amidst doom and gloom (South Africa)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (20 May 2020)
Air cargo demand for the movement of protective personal equipment, medical supplies and pharmaceuticals remains strong, while there is an increased move to transport finished goods by air during the global lockdown. Read the full article here.
COVID-19 delays commissioning of Namibia oil storage facility (Namibia)
Source: Africa Ports (19 May 2020)
The outbreak of the coronavirus across the world has resulted in many delays and even cancellation of events. One close to home involves the commissioning of the new multi-billion Namibian oil storage terminal at Walvis Bay. Read the full article here.
Oshoek border reopens after Covid-19 panic (Eswatini and South Africa)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (19 May 2020)
Eswatini’s principal border post with South Africa at Oshoek was shut for more than a day at the weekend as Covid-19 fears sparked what the Eswatini Observer newspaper described as “a panic” that ended all operations. Read the full article here.
Namibia commits to keeping ports open (Namibia)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (19 May 2020)
Namibia will continue to keep its ports and harbours open to facilitate the free movement of commercial goods to its landlocked neighbours and beyond. Read the full article here.
Quo Vadis: Which way forward for the cruise industry?
Source: Africa Ports (18 May 2020)
When South Africa went into lockdown in line with the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the activities that came to a sudden end was cruising. It was understood this would be a temporary measure but now, many weeks later, the word is that the virus will be with us for a long time, even several years. What does this mean for the cruise ship sector? Read the full article here.
Car maker BMW will resume exports from South Africa (South Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (18 May 2020)
BMW SA intends to recommence exporting BMW vehicles to Europe, following the reopening of its lockdowned plant at Rosslyn near Pretoria. Read the full article here.
Davies Turner's Express China rail freight service: Further boost from container shipping re-routeings (Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (18 May 2020)
We take a look at an important aspect of international, pan-continental rail freight, that from the People’s Republic of China to the United Kingdom. Read the full article here.
Competing service provider steps into the breach for Aero-Link (Ethiopia and South Africa)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (18 May 2020)
The demand for face masks produced in China and flown into South Africa via Ethiopia has directly led to the deluge of imports and the resulting processing chaos of cargo at OR Tambo International Airport, an executive from the air freight industry has told Freight News. Read the full article here.
Land logistics the best thing for Africa – US transport expert (Africa)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (18 May 2020)
Logistics gateways and transportation corridors are by far the best formula for success in Africa. Read the full article here.
Tough laws and pollution dents Lake Victoria fishing prospects (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda)
Source: Africa Ports (15 May 2020)
Reports from the Great Lakes region of Africa suggest that commercial fishing on Lake Victoria has been severely affected by water pollution and resultant legislation. Read the full article here.
Namdock resumes full ship repair operations at Port of Walvis Bay (Namibia)
Source: Africa Ports (14 May 2020)
Namdock, the wholly Namibian-owned ship maintenance and repair company based at the Port of Walvis Bay in Namibia, has resumed full operations as from Tuesday 5 May 2020. Read the full article here. Also reported in Creamer Media’s Engineering News here.
Bollore turns to rail to help beat COVID-19 (Kenya and Uganda)
Source: Africa Ports (14 May 2020)
Bolloré Transport & Logistics says it has launched a rail service for cargo from Mombasa to Uganda through the Naivasha Inland Container Depot (ICD) in a bid to reduce the spread of Covid-19. The first train loaded with 64 TEUs of cargo consigned to clients of Bolloré Transport & Logistics was received at Naivasha ICD on 7 May 2020. Read the full article here. Also reported in Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW here.
Logistics through Namibia flowing freely (Namibia)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (14 May 2020)
Namibia’s ambitions to become an efficient logistics hub for cargo transiting through the SADC region seems to be panning out at a time when surrounding countries are feeling the pressure of corona-related complexities. Read the full article here.
Chirundu border remains over-capacitated (Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (14 May 2020)
Moving freight through Zambia’s road border of Chirundu into Zimbabwe remains a challenge, with slow Covid-19 screening being one of the main reasons for congestion experienced at the border. Read the full article here.
Zero infections afford Mauritius corona-free status (Mauritius)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (14 May 2020)
As of May 12, Mauritius has achieved coronavirus-free status after May 11 marked the fifteenth consecutive day that no new cases had been recorded. Read the full article here.
Mandatory truck appointments at DCT eases container movements (South Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (13 May 2020)
A mandatory truck appointment system introduced at the Durban Container Terminal at the onset of the national lockdown, has resulted in a faster clearing of trucks at the port, says Transnet Port Terminals (TPT). This in turn has eased the Bayhead Road traffic, the terminal operator claims. Read the full article here.
Phase One of Tema Port expansion project completed (Ghana)
Source: Africa Ports (13 May 2020)
On 30 April 2020, Meridian Port Services Limited successfully completed the entire Phase 1 works of the Tema Port Expansion Project (also known as Terminal 3 of Tema Port). Read the full article here.
Cross-border truck drivers face 7-day quarantine at Walvis Bay (Namibia)
Source: Africa Ports (13 May 2020)
Cross-border truck drivers arriving in Walvis Bay, Namibia from this week face a mandatory seven-day period of quarantine, it is being reported. Read the full article here.
Ghana hands over site of Jamestown fishing harbour to contractors (Ghana)
Source: Africa Ports (13 May 2020)
One of the more drawn-out projects of harbour construction finally got underway this past week when the Ghana Government officially handed over the the site for the construction of the Jamestown Fishing Harbour to the Chinese engineers and contractors. Read the full article here.
Covid-19: Botswana tightens control on truck drivers (Botswana)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (13 May 2020)
Truck drivers heading into Botswana face stringent coronavirus-curbing measures, practically limiting the time they have to enter the country from three days to one. Read the full article here.
Zambia-Tanzania Nakonde border remains shut (Zambia and Tanzania)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (13 May 2020)
Zambia’s road border with Tanzania remains closed after confirmation last weekend of a spike in Covid-19 cases. Read the full article here.
DoT unveils plans for new auto terminal at Durban, branch line concessioning, single transport regulator (South Africa)
Source: Creamer Media’s Engineering News (12 May 2020)
The Department of Transport (DoT) intends to take over the functioning of struggling integrated public transport networks (IPTNs) in five cities, with six cities currently operating these systems, says Department of Transport director-general Alec Moemi. Read the full article here.
Naivasha now the terminus for cargo for regional states (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia and DRC)
Source: Africa Ports (12 May 2020)
The railhead town of Naivasha has become the terminus for all cargo coming from Mombasa and destined for the neighbouring states of Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan, southern Ethiopia and eastern DRC. This is after the first SGR freight train arrived in Naivasha from Mombasa last week. Read the full article here.
Tankers join the container ships going via the Cape (Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (12 May 2020)
It is being reported that operators of supertankers are following the example of several container ship operators in using the longer Cape route, although in the case of the tankers, they are going the opposite way. Read the full article here.
US$993 million Abidjan port expansion completed (Ivory Coast)
Source: Africa Ports (12 May 2020)
An ambitious US$993 million project of expanding the Cote d’Ivoire Port of Abidjan has been completed by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). Read the full article here.
Mozambique LNG production a step closer as Total awards contract (Mozambique)
Source: Africa Ports (12 May 2020)
LNG production in Mozambique’s northern Cabo Delgado province came a step closer with the news that Total E&P Mozambique Limitada, a subsidiary of Total SA, has awarded a significant contract for its operation in Area 1, to US-based W-Industries. Read the full article here.
Zambia can’t afford to keep Nakonde closed – transporter (Zambia and Tanzania)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (12 May 2020)
Zambia will have to re-open its Nakonde border with Tanzania - the only access point it has to the Port of Dar es Salaam - because of the crucial role that the “Dar Corridor” plays in its landlocked economy, an anonymous source operating from Lusaka has told Freight News. Read the full article here.
Road-freight platform Saloodo! launches in Mozambique (Mozambique)
Source: Creamer Media’s Engineering News (11 May 2020)
Digital road-freight platform Saloodo! has launched its digital logistics platform for shippers and transport providers in Mozambique, in a move the company hopes will further expand its digital road-freight solution in Africa. Read the full article here.
TNPA ship repair facilities available at 100% capacity (South Africa)
Source: Africa Ports (12 May 2020)
Transnet National Ports Authority says that all ship repair facilities owned and operated by the port authority are now operating at 100% capacity “in accordance with the agents’ docking schedule in the respective ports. Read the full article here. Also reported in Creamer Media’s Engineering News here.
Zambia-Tanzania’s ‘Dar Corridor’ shut as corona cases spike (Zambia and Tanzania)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (11 May 2020)
The “Dar Corridor” linking Zambia with the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania has ground to a halt after Zambian authorities decided to indefinitely shut its border with its East African neighbour. Read the full article here.
Chirundu feels the pain of congestion, Covid-19 and Durban port delays (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa)
Source: Southern Africa’s Freight News by FTW (11 May 2020)
Thirty-eight truck drivers were robbed in their cabs over the weekend with at least one of them held up at gun point as capacity constraints experienced at the Chirundu crossing on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border continue to compromise the safety of hauliers. Read the full article here.