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, Djibouti, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

For Coronavirus (Covid-19) related updates from South Africa...

Please see Bowmans' 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...

Djibouti begins transformation of historical port (Djibouti)

Source: Africa Ports (9 October 2020)

Out with the old, in the with new! Djibouti has commenced with the transformation of the old historical port of Djibouti into an international business district. Read the full article here.

Call on Malawi to make more use of Nacala and Beira ports (Malawi and Mozambique)

Source: Africa Ports (9 October 2020)

Stating that there is no reason for Malawi to remain landlocked, Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi said on Tuesday that the two country's [sic] should work more closely together to maximise bilateral cooperation aimed at facilitating the transit of Malawian goods through Mozambique's port and rail corridors. Read the full article here.

Nigerian Federal Govt approves funding for Eastern Railway and new deepwater port at Bonny (Nigeria)

Source: Africa Ports (9 October 2020)

An amount of US$302 billion has been approved by the Nigerian Federal Government for the reconstruction of the 3ft 6ins (Cape gauge) railway between Port Harcourt and the northern city of Maiduguri. Read the full article here.

South Africa making inroads with beneficiation and re-industrialisation (South Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (9 October 2020)

South Africa is slowly making inroads in beneficiation and re-industrialisation, with the successful construction of the first fuel cell manufacturing facility at the Dube Trade Port in KZN being a prime example of what the country can achieve. Read the full article here.

Matola LNG importation terminal (Mozambique)

Source: Creamer Media's Engineering News (9 October 2020)

An updated overview of the project is available here.

Tambo Springs rail concession fails, talks on to secure new deal (South Africa)

Source: Creamer Media's Engineering News (9 October 2020)

Infrastructure development at the Tambo Springs Logistics Gateway is continuing, despite the inability of State-owned freight logistics group Transnet to deliver on the construction of a rail terminal in the agreed time, says Tambo Springs Development Company (TSDC) CEO Tumi Mohulatsi. Read the full article here.

A selection of stories around land border crossings in Southern Africa (Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe)...

Global air cargo market edges towards sustainable recovery - report

Source: Southern Africa's Freight News by FTW (8 October 2020)

A record 'dynamic loadfactor' and high air freight rates on the world's premier trade lanes in September showed the global air cargo market edging towards a sustainable recovery at the start of the traditional peak season, according to a report by industry analysts CLIVE Data Services and TAC Index. Read the full article here.

Nigeria to license all shipping within its territorial waters (Nigeria)

Source: Africa Ports (7 October 2020)

Nigeria has confirmed plans to license all ships that seek to operate within its territorial waters. Read the full article here.

President Buhari orders all ports to be linked to Nigerian Railway network (Nigeria)

Source: Africa Ports (6 October 2020)

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has issued an instruction that the Nigerian railway network must connect with the country's ports, in order to assist with the decongestion of the road systems especially around ports like those in Lagos. Read the full article here.

Shocking statistics reveal job-loss bloodbath in African aviation industry

Source: Southern Africa's Freight News by FTW (5 October 2020)

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has warned that the damage being done to the African aviation industry and economies by the shutdown of air traffic owing to the Covid-19 pandemic has deepened. Read the full article here.

A selection of stories around TNPA's contributions and achievements (South Africa)...

  • TNPA celebrates two decades of transforming maritime assets: Read the full article from Africa Ports on 2 October 2020 here
  • TNPA marks 20 years of achievement: Read the full article from Africa Ports on 2 October 2020 here

Wharf Talk: Ship breaking planned for Port of Saldanha (South Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (5 October 2020)

A local company, 34South, has ambitious plans of creating a ship breaking industry at the Saldanha Bay Industrial Developing Zone, according to reports. Read the full article here.

A selection of stories around the implementation of AfCTA...

Government announces major road upgrade programme (South Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (2 October 2020)

Good news for road users, in particular road hauliers who make their living running freight and cargo between various centres and mining operations, and the ports. Read the full article here.

Railway Book: The Railway to Adventure (South Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (2 October 2020)

A new Book covering the 2ft Gauge Railway from Port Elizabeth to Avontuur and Patensie. Find out more here.

A selection of stories around crew changes and the (re-)opening of borders...

  • New guidance to facilitate repatriation flights for seafarers (International): Read the full article from Africa Ports on 2 October 2020 here
  • Borders open tomorrow, 1 October: significant for seafarers (South Africa): Read the full article from Africa Ports on 2 October 2020 here
  • Crew changes now fully possible from South African ports (South Africa): Read the full article from Africa Ports on 2 October 2020 here

Use of barges at Lagos ports increases by 45 percent (Nigeria)

Source: Africa Ports (1 October 2020)

The growing importance of barges in the movement of cargo including containers at Lagos ports can be seen by the reported 45 per cent increase in traffic. Read the full article here.

Port of Walvis Bay fulfilling role as regional logistical hub (Namibia)

Source: Africa Ports (1 October 2020)

The following report, courtesy the African Development Bank, contains nothing that hasn't been covered before in these pages, but is worthy of repeat as it provides a useful summary of what has been achieved at the Namibian port of Walvis Bay, depicting what is currently available to stakeholders. Read the full article here.

Transnet engages with Northern Cape government over export opportunities (South Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (30 September 2020)

Kimberley: Transnet CE, Ms Portia Derby met earlier this month with the premier of the Northern Cape government, Dr Zamani Saul, to examine existing export opportunities and better support programmes with key stakeholders in the province. Read the full article here.

Wharf Talk: Port Statistics for August are now available (South Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (30 September 2020)

Port statistics for the month of August 2020, covering the eight commercial ports under the administration of Transnet National Ports Authority, are now available. Read the full article here.

Gauteng inland port positioned to reduce double travel (South Africa)

Source: Southern Africa's Freight News by FTW (28 September 2020)

Gauteng continues to offer an ideal environment for large logistics and warehousing developments, with land that is f latter which makes construction easier and cheaper. Read the full article here.

Wharf Talk: More news straddles for the Durban Container Terminal (South Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (28 September 2020)

Another eight new electric straddle carriers have arrived at the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 fully assembled, completing the terminal's order of 23 for the current calendar year. Read the full article here.

Wharf Talk: Namibia issues new COVID-19 guidelines to seafarers (Namibia)

Source: Africa Ports (28 September 2020)

With the lifting of the state of emergency in Namibia, a new set of guidelines affecting seafarers and crew changes comes into effect. Read the full article here.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.