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, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Tanzania.

News continues below:

AfCFTA implementation presents opportunities for BRICS investment: Ramaphosa (South Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (15 November 2019)

The implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) will create opportunities for the BRICS investment partners to develop infrastructure on the continent, says South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa. South Africa, he says, sees an important role for the BRICS formation to contribute to these efforts. Read the full article here.

Ports claim increase in frequency and severity of extreme weather conditions (International)

Source: FTW Online (14 November 2019)

Fifty ports officials from all across the globe have confirmed the increase in frequency and severity of extreme weather events, with climate change being touted as the driving force. Read the full article here.

Africa Investment Forum 2019: MOU brings good news for Africa's rail networks (Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (14 November 2019)

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Thelo DB on Tuesday

(12 November) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Africa Investment Forum in Johannesburg. The agreement will give both parties an opportunity to develop, finance and operate railway projects across Africa. Read the full article here.

European Union gives backing to AfCFTA (Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (14 November 2019)

The European Union (EU) has pledged its support for the African Continent Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying the agreement has the potential to spark economic growth and development. Read the full article here.

Dubai's DP World signs deal to develop business park in Namibia (Namibia)

Source: Creamer Media's Engineering News (13 November 2019)

Dubai's DP World has signed a preliminary agreement with the Nara Namib Free Economic Industrial Zone to develop a dedicated business park in the Namibian port town of Walvis Bay. Read the full article here.

DHL subsidiary Saloodo! launches first international digital road freight platform in Africa (Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (12 November 2019)

The logistics start-up Saloodo! yesterday launched its platform for shippers and transport providers in South Africa, bringing the first digital road freight platform to the region. Read the full article here.

Danish bunker specialist Monjasa opens bunker service in Angola (Angola)

Source: Africa Ports (11 November 2019)

Danish bunker specialist Monjasa has opened a full bunkering service in the Angolan port city of Luanda in support of its already extensive West African oil and shipping activities. Monjasa began supplying bunkers across West Africa in 2009 and since then has delivered a total of 10.6 million tonnes of fuel products across the region from the Gulf of Guinea to Namibia. Read the full article here.

Investment case for LNG imports into South Africa to be completed by year-end (South Africa)

Source: Creamer Media's Engineering News (11 November 2019)

State-owned logistics group Transnet says the investment case for the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) into South Africa will be completed by year-end and that the solution will be aligned with the anticipated drop-off in gas imports from Mozambique from 2023 onwards. Read the full article here.

Port of Mombasa cruise terminal to be commissioned in December (Kenya)

Source: Africa Ports (8 November 2019)

The Port of Mombasa will have a new cruise terminal from December this year. The new facility to cater for visiting cruise ships is being built at a cost of

KSh350 million (USD3.4 million) in time for the peak of the summer cruise season in East Africa. Read the full article here.

South Africa in line for new ZAR147 billion oil refinery (South Africa)

Source: FTW Online (8 November 2019)

South Africa may be getting a modern oil refinery capable of producing the new generation fuels – but not in the Coega Industrial Development Zone, which has long been the site for a planned PetroSA Project Mthombo refinery. Read the full article here.

New Lamu port to receive first ship visit next month (Kenya)

Source: Africa Ports (7 November 2019)

A Maersk container ship is due to become the first vessel to make use of the first available berth at the Kenyan port of Lamu, in the north-east of Kenya. Read the full article here.

Upgrade and dredging for Tanzanian Port of Tanga (Tanzania)

Source: Africa Ports (7 November 2019)

A project to considerably upgrade and improve the Tanzanian port of Tanga is going ahead, with plans that include the dredging of the entrance channel and alongside the single berth. Read the full article here.

Ford to establish Automotive Hub at Gauteng SEZ (South Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (7 November 2019)

The automotive hub, which is part of the expansion of the OR Tambo Special Economic Zone (SEZ), will be developed through a joint partnership between the Department of Trade and Industry, Gauteng Provincial Government and the City of Tshwane. Read the full article here.

Air freight volumes continue to fall (International)

Source: FTW Online (7 November 2019)

September was yet another poor month for the aviation sector after the International Air Transport Association (Iata) reported a decrease of 4.5% in freight tonne kilometres (FTKs) for September 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. Read the full article here.

Tanzanian SGR deadline delayed by rains (Tanzania)

Source: Africa Ports (6 November 2019)

Hopes of completing Phase 1 of Tanzania's standard gauge railway (SGR) on time appear likely to be dashed after ongoing rains slowed the laying of tracks and other works on phase 1 of the SGR project, the line between Dar es Salaam and Morogoro. Read the full article here.

Dube TradePort targets ZAR8.6bn in investment (South Africa)

Source: FTW Online (6 November 2019)

In line with President Cyril Ramaphosa's five-year plan to mobilise ZAR1.2tn in new investment, the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is targeting ZAR8.6bn in investment at the new Dube TradeZone 2 – which is set for launch next year. Read the full article here.

New berth and terminal at Tanzanian Port of Mtwara passes halfway mark (Tanzania)

Source: Africa Ports (5 November 2019)

Completion of a new berth and adjacent cargo terminal yard at the Tanzanian port of Mtwara, to the south of Dar es Salaam and close to the Mozambique border, appears set for completion in March 2020. Read the full article here.

SA faces a gas cliff unless urgent action is taken (South Africa)

Source: FTW Online (5 November 2019)

Existing infrastructure at the Port of Richards Bay as opposed to new infrastructure proposed for the Port of Ngqura and the Coega Industrial Development Zone could help South Africa avoid a gas supply cliff. Read the full article here. Also reported in Creamer Media's Engineering News here.

Oil & gas exploration off KZN coast blocked for now (South Africa)

Source: Africa Ports (4 November 2019)

Exploration off the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) coast by Italian oil major ENI and local conglomerate Sasol will not move forward now, according to a statement by Wildoceanssa and reported on by Petroleum Africa. Read the full article here.

NIMASA D-G Dakuku Peterside calls for dedicated cargo ports (Nigeria)

Source: Africa Ports (4 November 2019)

Nigeria's Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, has suggested the introduction of dedicated cargo ports to handle specific cargo types. 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.