Caspnet

FFS Tank Terminals wins R195 million Port of Cape Town deal Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has appointed FFS Tank Terminals (Pty) Ltd as the preferred bidder to acquire, operate, maintain, refurbish, construct, and transfer a R195 million Liquid Bulk Terminal at the Port of Cape Town. The terminal will be run for a 25-year concession period. FFS Tank Terminals, a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor, will inject an investment of R195 million into the facility, enabling infrastructure refurbishment and upgrades to enhance operational efficiency. The selection solidifies TNPA's commitment to ensuring continued liquid bulk operations, supply security, and port capacity growth. The Port of Cape Town is implementing a "phased approach" with terminal operators' appointments, with more terminals expected to undergo the concession process in the new year. Read more:https://zurl.co/nc4JT

Can Uber Help Truck Drivers and Shippers? The convergence of AI, Starlink, and robotics is set to revolutionize transportation, logistics, and supply chain management. The mashup of consumer technology, such as Google Maps and Waze, is also transforming business operations. Uber ridesharing, for example, offers Uber for Business, a company-wide solution for moving people who move boxes. J.B. Hunt, the first carrier to utilize the solution, uses it for both driver and corporate ground transportation. Benefits include ease of use, faster driver deployment, cost control, fewer driver complaints, enhanced program compliance, and simplified IRS expense reporting. The adaptive app allows for feedback to be implemented, making it a game changer for anyone using U.S. trucking services. Read more:https://zurl.co/S0GtL

Technology drives intelligent transport systems InstaToll Africa, a road infrastructure provider, has adopted a cloud-based UKG Dimensions solution to manage its workforce and data. The company, which has over 1,000 employees across Africa, found that manual interventions were inadequate for managing compliance, fair labor practices, financial management, time and attendance tracking, and other aspects of its workforce. The cloud-based UKG Dimensions was chosen due to its robust time and attendance solution, which could grow with the business and offer sound absence management as a module. The solution not only increases productivity and efficiencies but also mitigates the risk of CCMA cases, as human error is eliminated. InstaToll's most critical benefits include uniform pay policies and fair remuneration of labour. The UKG solution ensures that the right person, at the right place, at the right time, and with the right skills are employed, while accurately monitoring and assessing labour budgets and payroll. The ability to make data-driven decisions ensures sound business strategy, accurate reporting to the board, a deep understanding of risks and how to mitigate them, and empowers InstaToll to overcome reactive management. Read more:https://zurl.co/41ilg

Trade restrictive measures on the rise The World Trade Organization (WTO) has seen a significant increase in trade-restrictive measures by its members between mid-October 2023 and mid-October 2024, according to the annual overview of global trade developments. The report also highlights the introduction of trade-facilitating measures, such as tariff reductions and simplified import procedures, which covered an estimated $1 440.4bn worth of traded goods. However, there is increasing evidence of inward-looking trade policies, which could generate further uncertainty for the world economy. The stockpile of trade restrictions continues to grow, with import restrictions covering 11.8% of world imports and export restrictions covering 2.1% of world merchandise exports. Despite this, there is a silver lining, with export restrictions on food, feed, and fertilisers decreasing significantly, covering an estimated trade value of $11.8bn. Read more:https://zurl.co/Q8ikX

Rethinking core aspects of the freight industry The freighting industry often faces overdue amounts due to actual payments to third-party service providers, particularly SARS for customs duties, VAT, and demurrage charges. This practice, which acts as a "bank" for customers, is considered too generous in the current economic times. The industry has moved from providing quotations to framing them as estimates, indicating that the estimated amounts may change. However, many customers still raise "bona fide disputes" based on the freight company's negligence or failure to act in accordance with initial instructions. This negligence can be due to the customer's failure to provide necessary documentation or delays beyond the freight company's control. Read more:https://zurl.co/ls5Df

Airline profits to strengthen in 2025 – Iata IATA predicts a slight strengthening of profitability in the global airline industry in 2025, with net profits expected to reach $36.6 billion with a 3.6% net profit margin. Average net profit per passenger is expected to be $7.0, while operating profit is expected to be $67.5 billion with a net operating margin of 6.7%. IATA Director General Willie Walsh emphasized the need for airlines to balance multiple dynamics to achieve the forecast profit growth, including lower oil prices, tight cost control, decarbonisation investments, and managing the return to normal growth levels following the pandemic recovery. Total industry revenues are expected to reach $1.007 trillion, an increase of 4.4% from 2024, while expenses are expected to grow 4% to $940 billion. The return on invested capital (Roic) for the global industry is expected to be 6.8% in 2025, with passenger numbers expected to reach 5.2 billion and cargo volumes reaching 72.5 million tonnes. Read more:https://lnkd.in/dByfvc9a

Post-poll violence continues in Mozambique Mozal Aluminium, the largest industrial employer in Mozambique, has warned that unless supply to its smelter is restored, it may have to shut down its factory for the first time since 2000. The company, along with 29 other companies, met with President Filipe Nyusi on December 9 to secure their investments in a country nearing an open insurrection. The Moma Sands Project south of the Port of Nacala has also been targeted by supporters of Podemos, the opposition party claiming that October 9 polls were rigged in favor of Frelimo. Nyusi said he could not do much as he was about to hand over the presidency to his successor, Daniel Chapo. Read more:https://zurl.co/q6FP7

KZN expands macadamia exports South Africa's South Coast macadamia nut producers have doubled their volumes over the past four years, capitalizing on the growing global demand for the nuts. The region is one of the world's leading macadamia nut producers, with Mpumalanga leading the list for trading. The KZN South Coast has established itself as a leading producer of premium macadamia nuts, with exporters like Mayo Macs, Mac Eden, and Coastal Macadamia at the forefront of high-quality production. Mayo Macs, a leading macadamia processing, marketing, and distribution company, owns two state-of-the-art facilities near Nelspruit in Mpumalanga and Paddock on the south coast. The majority of the crop is exported, with nut in shell going to Chinese markets and kernel to the USA and European markets. The South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise CEO, Vusumuzi Sibiya, said macadamias were consumed as a healthy snack and incorporated into sweets, baked goods, desserts, and other recipes, creating opportunities for investment in the sector. Read more:https://lnkd.in/ePbqp-T5

Disruptions will continue to undermine reliability Disruption remains the main driver of container market demand, with rerouting of ships via the Cape impacting demand. Ship demand is projected to grow three times faster than cargo volumes in 2024. However, a slowdown in demand growth is expected in the second half due to weaker cargo volume growth. The outlook for 2024 remains stronger than 2023. Read more:https://zurl.co/EYiX

SAA Cargo hit by pilot strike South African Airways Cargo has implemented a contingency plan to keep some cargo moving on selected routes during the pilot strike that hit the national carrier on Thursday. Pilots affiliated to the SAA Pilots Association (SAAPA) downed tools following a wage dispute with the national carrier. SAA Cargo announced its contingency plan for operations and the processing of new cargo bookings in a notice to stakeholders. Starting from 5 December, SAA Cargo will accept new bookings only for certain routes operating with narrow-body aircraft until further notice. The strike will affect all SAA-operated flights on major domestic and regional routes, including Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Windhoek, and Mauritius. Airports are expected to be busier than usual as passengers seek alternatives. Read more:https://lnkd.in/eb8u7meW