Engineering News | Transport

https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

Advertise on this page? Click Here to Learn More

Rail News

$31m mixed-use office precinct to be built in Mauritius

By: Schalk Burger Updated 2 minutes ago Mauritius-based Gateway Real Estate Africa (GREA) is developing a $31-million mixed-use office development – The Precinct – in Grand Baie. The development is designed to accommodate corporate tenants’ fluctuating space needs in addition to catering for the gig economy with rentable desks, access... →

Transnet working ‘around the clock’ to fix IT disruption

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd July 2021 State-owned Transnet has identified and isolated the source of the disruption to its information technology (IT) systems and says technical teams continue to work “around the clock” to ensure the impact thereof remains minimal. Transnet on July 22 reported the disruption in some of its IT... →

Passenger rail agency fails to meet capex targets

By: Irma Venter 23rd July 2021 The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA’s) capital expenditure (capex) programme has failed to meet its targets, says CEO Zolani Matthews. “Sadly, this has also affected PRASA’s modernisation programme. →

Gibela confident of meeting production targets despite impact of Covid-19

By: Irma Venter 21st July 2021 Gibela has, to date, delivered 66 of the 600 X’trapolis Mega commuter trains it is scheduled to deliver to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) by the end of 2028. Eighteen of these trains were manufactured in Brazil, with the remaining 48 produced in a newly built plant in Nigel, on... →

Image of a train being produced at the Gibela factory in Nigel

The Gibela train factory at Nigel

Rolls-Royce Power Systems eyes climate-neutrality of products by 2030

By: Donna Slater 20th July 2021 Power systems engineering company Rolls-Royce Power Systems plans to cut its greenhouse-gas emissions by 35% by 2030, compared with a 2019 baseline, through the use of new net-zero and zero-carbon technologies. This near-term target plays a significant role in the Rolls-Royce group’s ambition to... →

Transnet port, rail operations normalise in KZN

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 20th July 2021 The Ports of Durban and Richards Bay have reported normalised levels of operations over the past two day, with all employees having reported for their shifts and Transnet working towards clearing the backlog caused by the unrest in the region in the past week, it said in a statement on July 20.... →

SA logistics sector bleeding R100m-plus a day, supply chains must be restored

By: Irma Venter 16th July 2021 South Africa’s logistics sector will “undoubtedly” see the closure of some logistics businesses owing to the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng, says South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) chairperson and Savino Del Bene South Africa director Dr Juanita Maree. “Some... →

The Durban container terminal

Transnet operations gradually returning to normal following unrest

By: Yvonne Silaule 16th July 2021 There has been an incremental improvement in the operations of State-owned logistics company Transnet, following disruptions caused by days of unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. As a result of the unrest, port operator Transnet Port Terminals had issued force majeure notices with regard to the... →

Security, restoring public transport ‘that enables’ top new PRASA boss’s to-do list

By: Irma Venter 16th July 2021 There are a number of areas that require urgent attention within the operations of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), says CEO Zolani Matthews. Last week, Matthews delivered his 100-day report card as the new head of the embattled State-owned rail entity. →

New Maputo–Harare container train service to offer Zim customers better transit times

By: Irma Venter 16th July 2021 DP World Maputo, which has the concession to manage, develop and operate the Maputo container terminal, in Mozambique, earlier this month launched its first dedicated container train service connecting Maputo and Harare, in Zimbabwe. The company says the new service is part of its focus to... →

Ports, key rail line disrupted by violence - Transnet

By: Reuters 14th July 2021 Durban port has suffered major disruption after days of unrest, and operations have also been badly affected at the Richards Bay port and on a national freight rail line, logistics and freight companies said on Wednesday. The violence erupted last week in KwaZulu-Natal province, where Durban is... →

Second train derails on South Africa’s coal-export line

By: Bloomberg 13th July 2021 State-owned rail company Transnet is investigating a second derailment in as many weeks on the nation’s main coal-export line. A locomotive traveling from Richards Bay, the site of Africa’s biggest coal terminal, derailed on July 11, shutting the route until the following day, the company said by... →

Cape Town train and taxi collide in early morning accident

By: News24Wire 12th July 2021 A train and a taxi collided in an early morning accident at a Cape Town level crossing, leaving commuters stranded between Fish Hoek and Retreat. Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott said the collision took place at the False Bay level crossing at 07:31 on Monday. →

Metrorail, Rea Vaya services suspended amid violent protests

By: Schalk Burger 12th July 2021 Urban rail services provider Metrorail has suspended its operations in Gauteng and the City of Johannesburg's Rea Vaya bus rapid transit system has suspended operations amid ongoing violent protests. "This is owing to the chaotic scenes [protests] that are witnessed in Johannesburg and now... →

Botswana woos Chinese investors as lenders shun coal projects

By: Bloomberg 12th July 2021 At a time when funding for fossil fuel projects is drying up, Botswana is racing to develop six new coal mines and a rail link for exports, with the government prepared to put its own money into the projects. The southern African nation, the world’s second-biggest diamond producer, has more than... →

Unitrans Africa opens dedicated rail service between Mozambique and Zimbabwe

By: Irma Venter 8th July 2021 Utilising its partnerships with the National Railways of Zimbabwe, CFM Caminhos de Ferro de Mocambique and Traxtion, Unitrans Africa has opened a dedicated rail service between Maputo port and three major Zimbabwean trade hubs – Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru. Until now this key section of rail has... →

South African rail sector under pressure, but PPPs can help

By: Simone Liedtke 7th July 2021 Public and private partnerships (PPPs) create a platform for numerous opportunities for the South African rail sector, an industry which is currently in dire straits, says Traxtion CEO James Holley. While the local rail industry is under pressure, Holley is hopeful that the Draft White Paper into... →

PRASA’s capex programme has failed to meet its targets, renewed roll-out effort started – Matthews

By: Irma Venter 7th July 2021 The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA’s) capital expenditure (capex) programme has failed to meet its targets, says CEO Zolani Matthews. “Sadly, this has also affected PRASA’s modernisation programme. →

Security, restoring public transport ‘that enables’ priorities for new PRASA boss

By: Irma Venter 6th July 2021 There are a number of areas that require urgent attention within the operations of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), says CEO Zolani Matthews. Matthews on Tuesday delivered his 100-day report card as new head of the troubled State-owned rail entity. →

Zolani Matthews

Transnet reviewing emergency procurement after coal train derailment

By: Donna Slater 6th July 2021 Following a derailment of 30 coal wagons on July 3, State-owned rail company Transnet has reopened the Dassieshoogte Line 2 to Richards Bay, but with a speed restriction in force. A 208-wagon coal export train derailed near Vryheid, with no injuries reported. →

An image of wagons carrying coal on Transnet Freight Rail's coal line to Richards Bay

PRASA chief unpacks crime mitigation strategy

By: Marleny Arnoldi 5th July 2021 The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to revive South Africa’s passenger rail network after a crime and vandalism over the last few years has left the network crippled. CEO Zolani Matthews addressed delegates virtually during the 2021 Southern... →

PRASA CEO Zolani Matthews

Transnet, unions agree to 5% wage increase for the current financial year

By: Schalk Burger 2nd July 2021 State-owned freight company Transnet has confirmed that it has reached a wage agreement with its recognised labour unions, the South African Transport Allied Workers Union and United National Transport Union, for a 5% increase for the current financial year for bargaining unit employees.... →

TSDC says it obtains technical approval for private rail terminal at Tambo Springs

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 2nd July 2021 The Tambo Springs Development Company (TSDC) says its Tambo Springs Logistics Gateway has achieved a milestone, with Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) having approved the technical layout for a private rail terminal and private rail siding. Previous plans by TFR to develop and outsource the rail... →

Finance organisations commit €600m for 100 km railway line in Ghana

By: Schalk Burger 1st July 2021 Development finance institutions Deutsche Bank and Investec, in partnership with Swedish Export Credit Agency (EKN), Swedish Export Credit Corporation (SEK) and Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC), have arranged for €600-million in financing for the construction of a 100 km... →

Alstom Ubunye appoints Logan Naicker as new CEO

By: Irma Venter 29th June 2021 Alstom Ubunye has announced the appointment of Logan Naicker as its new CEO. Naicker has more than 25 years of experience in leadership roles in the rail and automotive industries, including Union Carriage and Wagon, Bombardier Transportation South Africa, Ford Motor Company and Toyota. →

Logan Naicker

Attaining port efficiency requires purpose rethink, says law firm

By: Donna Slater 24th June 2021 South Africa’s maritime ports, known to be highly inefficient, need to be repurposed and redesignated to increase their efficient use, says law firm Norton Rose Fullbright South Africa chairperson Andrew Robinson. Speaking during an Infrastructure Africa panel discussion on transformation in the... →

Nearly 8 000 living on or around Cape Town's central train line - Metrorail

By: News24Wire 23rd June 2021 Nearly 8 000 people living on and around the railway lines on Cape Town’s central line have been fingered as the spanner in the works in the battle to get the defunct route back up and running. Metrorail Western Cape manager Richard Walker on Tuesday told the Western Cape legislature's Standing... →

Batteries can help improve South Africa's rail network, says First National Battery

By: Simone Liedtke 21st June 2021 Reliable and well-maintained infrastructure is needed for passenger and freight trains to reach their destinations safely, and a key part of this infrastructure includes reliable and resilient railway batteries that powers trains and rail systems, says battery manufacturer First National Battery.... →

DP World Maputo launches rail service between Maputo and Harare

By: Irma Venter 17th June 2021 DP World Maputo, which has the concession to manage, develop and operate the Maputo container terminal, in Mozambique, earlier this month launched its first dedicated container train service connecting Maputo and Harare, in Zimbabwe. The company says the new service is part of its focus to... →

Deputy Minister applauds women taking charge in the rail sector

By: Yvonne Silaule 11th June 2021 Transport Deputy Minister Dikeledi Magadzi this week accompanied the Railway Safety Regulator in its inspection of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (PRASA’s) Wolmerton depot, in Pretoria. The inspection was held to assess the condition of the depot against scheduled and unscheduled... →

Association highlights third-party access benefits

By: Cameron Mackay 11th June 2021 Local industry body the African Rail Industry Association (ARIA) CEO Mesela Nhlapo says structural changes, as a result of allowing third-party access to State-owned freight utility Transnet’s rail network, will provide a significant boost for the local economy. “Third-party access will enable... →

NO TRAIN, NO GAIN Third-party access will unlock a range of positive effects upstream and downstream through extra train capacity that is generated

Product ensures bolt security for safer railways

11th June 2021 Bolt security is essential for optimum safety in all industries, particularly in the railway sector, where demands on rail lines and train components are under increasing pressure, as trains and railway networks become more sophisticated. “Bolt loosening anywhere on railway infrastructure and... →

ADVANCED WEDGE-LOCKING BMG’s Nord-Lock bolt securing system is based on wedge-locking technology, designed to secure bolted joints exposed to severe vibration and dynamic loads in extreme conditions

Association encourages use of zinc to boost rail

By: Cameron Mackay 11th June 2021 International Zinc Association (IZA) Africa Desk head Simon Norton says there is significant opportunity right now to increase the use of refined zinc for hot dip galvanising of steel, with the steel used for new rail infrastructure projects in South Africa. “This would guarantee a long life for... →

PROTECTING RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE Zinc has significant capacity to protect uncoated steel structures against premature corrosion

Transnet reports increase in cable theft; 600 arrests made

By: Schalk Burger 10th June 2021 State-owned logistics company Transnet on June 10 reported that there was an average of 650 incidents of cable theft a month in the first five months of this year, while more than 600 arrests have been made since the beginning of the year. Transnet loses about 120 km of overhead cables a month... →

Track S Africa’s economic recovery on Operation Vulindlela dashboard

By: Sashnee Moodley 10th June 2021 South Africans can now track government’s progress in economic and employment growth with up-to-date information on the new Operation Vulindlela dashboard, launched this week. The new dashboard presents an overview of the milestones in 19 focus areas identified by government as priority reforms,... →

Transnet doubles Bethlehem grain rail haulage capacity, launches 2021 grain export season

27th May 2021 State-owned logistics company Transnet Freight Rail has increased its planned haulage of grain through the Bethlehem silo facility of VKB Agriculture by 133%, with 550 000 t of grains planned to be moved to South Africa’s ports for export. Creamer Media contributing editor Donna Slater tells us... →

Transnet doubles Bethlehem grain rail haulage capacity, launches 2021 grain export season

City of Joburg tries to strike balance between revenue, relief in new budget

By: Marleny Arnoldi 25th May 2021 In its R73.3-billion budget statement for the 2021/22 financial year, the City of Joburg (CoJ) has attempted to strike a balance between the needs of residents and the institution’s ability to provide services, considering continued Covid-19 impacts. The budget comprises of R65.1-billion in... →

Finance MMC Jolidee Matongo presents the City of Joburg budget for 2021/22 and the medium-term

About

Engineering News is a product of Creamer Media.
www.creamermedia.co.za

Other Creamer Media Products include:
Mining Weekly
Research Channel Africa
Polity

Newsletters

Sign up for our FREE daily email newsletter

Receive daily sector news alerts

More

Subscriptions

We offer a variety of subscriptions to our Magazine, Website, PDF Reports and our photo library.

Subscriptions are available via the Creamer Media Store.

View store

Advertise

Advertising on Engineering News is an effective way to build and consolidate a company's profile among clients and prospective clients. Email advertising@creamermedia.co.za

View options

Subscribe