Transnet Issues RFP to return long-standing Locomotives to Service to meet Customer Demand

In a further effort to normalise freight operations in South Africa, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has issued an open competitive tender inviting eligible original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to step in to rehabilitate the non-operational Chinese-manufactured locomotives awaiting critical spare parts. This follows on the impasse with the CRRC E-Loco Supply, the Chinese stateowned supplier of locomotives. CRRC is unwilling to engage with the relevant authorities in South Africa to normalise its operations in the country. Details on the matter of the CRRC has been widely published. TFR has published the…

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South Africa : Spectacular recovery at Cape Town International Airport over December 2022

Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger today warmly welcomed preliminary statistics received from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), which showed that Cape Town International Airport recorded a spectacular recovery in passenger numbers during the peak season month of December when compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Minister Wenger said: “These preliminary statistics received from ACSA show that Cape Town International Airport recorded 266 656 international 2-way passenger numbers for December 2022, resulting in a spectacular 95% recovery when compared to December 2019. The domestic terminal, for the same month,…

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Premier Alan Winde Welcomes Partial Resumption of Eerste River-Bellville Train Service

Premier Alan Winde cautiously welcomes Metrorail’s partial resumption of the train service between Eerste River and Bellville in Cape Town this morning. The service has been suspended since the Covid-19 national state of disaster was implemented in 2020. According to Metrorail, services would have resumed in December 2022 but were delayed due to “environmental issues”. Today’s reintroduction of the service will see the train depart from Bellville station, stopping at Kuils River, Blackheath, Meltonrose, and Eerste River stations. The Premier said, “While this much-needed train service is good news for…

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Two-Year Long, World Bank Funded Project to Further Improve Malawi’s Customs Systems

The World Bank, Government of Malawi, and UNCTAD have agreed a deal that will see Malawi upgrade to the latest version of the ASYCUDAWorld customs management software. Malawi is a long-term collaborator of the ASYCUDA Programme that first started using ASYCUDA software in the 1990s, having previously used ASYCUDA version 2 and ASYCUDA++ before running ASYCUDAWorld. Malawi is a significant importer of fuel and exporter of tobacco. In 2021, Malawi customs processed over 280,000 import and export declarations on ASYCUDAWorld and the equivalent of 51,427 twenty-foot containers. This upgrade will…

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THE NEW ECTN MANAGEMENT PLATFORM IS UP NOW

As part of the new government reforms, and after the decision of the Council of Ministers on September 29, 2021 regarding the transfer of the management of the ECTN to the Port Authority of Cotonou, we inform all of our customers that the old platform for Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN), https://www.besc-benin.com, is no longer available. Thus, since January 1st, 2023, all procedures relating to the registration of cargoes are carried out exclusively via the new platform, available at https://ectn.bj. The Port Authority of Cotonou, in order to offer its customers more innovative…

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MSC Boosts Connections Between Angola, Namibia and Their Key Trade Markets

As part of MSC’s decision to expand its Sub Saharan Africa network, the company is reshuffling its Angola service, offering Pointe-Noire, Congo Republic (CR), and Matadi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as from January 2023. Offering Pointe-Noire on the Angola service will represent a significant advantage for Asia and India markets in the region. The Congolese port will serve as a key transshipment hub for cargo destinated to Angola and Namibia. Stopping the tranship via Lomé will reduce by 11 days the transit time to the main Angolan port of…

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MSC Group completes acquisition of Bolloré Africa Logistics

PRESS RELEASE – MSC Group is pleased to confirm that its wholly owned subsidiary SAS Shipping Agencies Services has completed the acquisition of Bolloré Africa Logistics. The transaction was approved by all applicable regulatory authorities. MSC’s acquisition of Bolloré Africa Logistics SAS and its affiliates (“Bolloré Africa Logistics Group”) highlights the long-term commitment of MSC to invest in African supply chains and infrastructure, supporting the needs of clients of both businesses. MSC reiterates that it will operate Bolloré Africa Logistics Group as an autonomous entity with its portfolio of diversified…

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Agreement signed between Botswana Railways (BR) and National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ)

Botswana Railways (BR) and National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) recently signed an agreement to improve the efficiency of services offered by both administrations. Signed at Plumtree station in Zimbabwe, the agreement will allow Botswana Railways locomotives to travel through Plumtree to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe National Railways locomotives to Francistown. Prior to the agreement, Botswana Railways and Zimbabwe National Railways locomotives would turn around at Plumtree, causing delays and inefficiencies in the delivery of freight. With the signing of this agreement, not only will the delays be reduced, but…

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AFRAA CONCLUDES ITS 54TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH EMPHASIS ON CONCERTED ACTIONS TO DRIVE AIR TRANSPORT INDUSTRY SUSTAINABILITY

The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) and Air Senegal concluded the 54th Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Dakar, Senegal. The event was held under the High Patronage of the Government of Senegal. The Assembly, which brought together 456 delegates from 42 countries under the theme “Acing the Roadmap to Sustainable African Aviation”, called upon African airlines and air transport stakeholders to act on initiatives and strategies that will drive the sustainability of the air transport sector to realise its potential. Among others, these include: the Air Transport Sustainability Roadmap, the effective implementation of the…

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Uganda : Rehabilitation of Bulindo-Nsasa-Namugongo Roads

Residents of Bulindo, Nsasa and Namugongo in Kira Municipality relieved as rehabilitation works for the 4.56 Km road that links them commences. The 4.56 Km stretch has been characterized by dust during the dry season and excess mad and gullies during the rainy season. The residents are therefore greatly relieved at the prospect of upgrading the road to bitumen standard. The Hon Minister of State for Works, Musa Ecweru officiated at the launch of the works in Kira Municipality. The rehabilitation works contract was awarded to M/S King Albert Construction…

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