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 Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania.

Calls for public comment (South Africa):

  • Review of the Port Tariff Methodology and call for submissions The Ports Regulator of South Africa has embarked on a process to review the Multi-Year Port Tariff Methodology. The Draft Port Tariff Methodology for Tariff Years 2021/22 – 2023/24 is now available on the Ports Regulator's website here. Interested parties/port users are invited to submit comments by close of business on Monday 3 February 2020.

News continues below:

NIRAS wins contract to provide National Port Masterplan for Tanzania (Tanzania)

Source: Africa Ports (11 December 2019)

NIRAS, an international, multidisciplinary engineering consultancy company located in Europe, Asia and Africa, is heading an international consortium that has just signed a major deal with Tanzania Ports Authority to create a masterplan for the strategic development of the ports in the East African country during the next 25 years. Read the full article here.

Rosy outlook for airline industry in 2020 (International)

Source: FTW Online (11 December 2019)

The outlook for the global airline industry is looking positive for 2020 with the International Air Transport Association (Iata) forecasting a net profit of US$29.3 compared to the US$25.9 billion expected in 2019. Read the full article here.

WC government to address congestion issues at the Port of Cape Town (South Africa)

Source: FTW Online (10 December 2019)

The Western Cape (WC) government has confirmed that a task team will be established to combat congestion at the Port of Cape Town, primarily at the container terminal. Read the full article here.

Develop Lamu as a transshipment hub and commodity port, says Shipping Council of East Africa (Kenya)

Source: Africa Ports (10 December 2019)

As the new Kenyan port of Lamu comes into service with the opening of its first berth, and with it the LAPSSET Corridor (Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport), questions are being asked about the potential threat to the port and corridor arising from the rival ports of Djibouti and Port Sudan. Read the full article here.

Developments at the Port of East London to boost Eastern Cape economy (South Africa)

Source: FTW Online (9 December 2019)

In a move to boost economic growth in Buffalo City, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has reaffirmed its commitment to develop and transform the Port of East London into a major manufacturing hub. Read the full article here.

Also reported by Africa Ports here.

ICTSI initiates second phase of Matadi port terminal expansion (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Source: Africa Ports (9 December 2019)

The Philippines-based terminal operator International Container Terminal Services, Inc (ICTSI) has given the green light for phase two involving the expansion of the Matadi Gateway Terminal (MGT), located 92 miles upstream on the left bank of the Congo River, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Read the full article here.

Transnet signs rail revitalization agreement with Ghanaian railway enterprise (Ghana)

Source: FTW Online (6 December 2019)

A recent state visit to Ghana by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has already started bearing fruit as railway giants Transnet, Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) and Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) have signed a railway revitalization agreement. Read the full article here. Also reported by Africa Ports here.

Asian investment fuels African air freight growth (International)

Source: FTW Online (5 December 2019)

The African air freight sector recorded 12.6% growth in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs) for October despite ongoing political and global tensions which have hampered the global market over the past year. Read the full article here.

Promoters of Maputo and Richards Bay LNG terminals insist projects can be complementary (South Africa and Mozambique)

Source: Creamer Media's Engineering News (4 December 2019)

The promoters of liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals at Maputo, in Mozambique, and Richards Bay, in South Africa, insist that the two proposed projects can be complementary rather than competitive as there is sufficient existing demand and growth potential in the region to support both initiatives. Read the full article here.

Mozambique cabotage to be reintroduced from first quarter of 2020 (Mozambique)

Source: Africa Ports (4 December 2019)

According to the Mozambique Minister of Transport & Communications, Carlos Mesquita, cabotage is to be introduced along the country's coast within the first quarter of 2020. Read the full article here.

Angolan Carrinho Business Group helps revitalise Lobito port & CFB railway (Angola)

Source: Africa Ports (3 December 2019)

Angola's Carrinho Business Group has entered into an agreement with the Port of Lobito and the Benguela Railway Company (CFB), with the intention of utilising the CFB for efficient cargo transportation. Read the full article here.

Bidfreight Port Operations launches Port Elizabeth Multi-Purpose Terminal (South Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (3 December 2019)

Bidfreight Port Operations (Pty) Ltd (BPO) officially launched its Multi-Purpose Terminal operations in the Port of PE on Friday, 29 November after completion of its refurbishment to Sheds 10 and 11. Read the full article here.

Total & partners announce $3.15 billion LNG project for Matola (Mozambique)

Source: Africa Ports (3 December 2019)

French oil major Total together with its partners in Mozambique will be investing US$3.15 billion to develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project at Matola in the greater port of Maputo. Read the full article here.

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