Second phase of eThekwini’s integrated transport network under way

Construction of GO!Durban, eThekwini’s integrated rapid public transport network (IRPTN), is gathering momentum with the second phase of the project under way.  GO!Durban head of infrastructure... 

Afrox opens R60m Riverhorse Valley hub

African Oxygen (Afrox) officially unveiled its flagship R60-million filling and engineering services hub at Riverhorse Valley to the north of Durban on Friday. The 18 000 m² site is home to a... 

R300m recapitalisation to ensure survival of KZN hardboard firm

Durban-based private equity firm Jacobs Capital and its partner Black Bird Capital are confident that investment of around R300-million will place struggling hardboard manufacturer Masonite back on... 

Launch of Osprey marks halfway point in R1.4bn tug-building contract

The launch of the Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA’s) Osprey tugboat in Durban harbour last month marked the halfway point in the port authority’s R1.4-billion tug-building contract.... 

KZN coalition bemoans political, economic uncertainty

Government needs to provide strong leadership, political and economic certainty and a return to the values of post-1994 South Africa if it is to partner with business to unlock growth opportunities... 

Floating dry dock could lead to further docking opportunities in Durban

Dormac Marine’s R300-million investment in its Dormac Dock 1 floating dry dock will position the Dormac shipyard as a centre of excellence for the ship repair industry and serve as a stimulus for... 

TNPA to boost dredging skills through launch of R30m simulator

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has launched Africa’s first dredging simulator – a computerised training cockpit for aspirant dredger operators – in Durban.  The dredging simulator is... 

DTI calls for more to be done to boost local manufacturing

Significant successes characterise the national industrial effort but much more needs to be done to achieve the required scale and a higher impact industrial policy, Department of Trade and... 

New Durban floating dock to add much-needed ship repair capacity

With an estimated 12 000 ships calling at South Africa’s ports each year and over 30 000 vessels sailing along the South African coastline annually, the ship repair industry should theoretically be... 

Treasury mulling new funding models for development projects

The level of government subsidies for development programmes was not sustainable and alternative sources of funding needed to be found, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said at a recent... 

Water and Sanitation outlines advances in water policies

The recent drought – the worst in 23 years – not only revealed that South Africa did not have a national water plan but also sparked a review of various policies and infrastructure projects, Water... 

Desalination plans advancing in KZN and Western Cape

Package desalination plants are likely to be in place on both the KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape coasts within months, Department of Water and Sanitation director-general Margaret Diedericks and... 

Construction starts on R250m optical fibre cable manufacturing plant

A R250-million new optical fibre cable manufacturing plant at Dube TradePort, north of Durban, would be fully operational by January 2017, proving that much-needed industrial development could be... 

Maritime transport policy to be submitted to Parliament in March

The Department of Transport has accelerated the process of finalising the Maritime Transport Policy, which is expected to take effect by mid-year, according to Deputy Transport Minister Sindiwe... 

Durban’s transformation into smart port city under the spotlight

  The notion of transforming Durban – home to South Africa’s largest and busiest ports – into a smart port city was a focal point at the inaugural Durban Maritime Summit, which kicked off in Durban... 

KZN provincial govt establishes maritime institute

To support and drive policy change and operational effectiveness in the local industry, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government is establishing a maritime institute, said provincial Economic... 

Maritime summit highlights need for Durban to become a smart port city

With a shift in freight transport from road to rail and a more efficient logistics system providing the backbone for a more competitive economy, the maritime sector, supported by the logistics and... 

KZN approves development of R3.5bn south Durban logistics park

KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC Michael Mabuyakhulu has given the go-ahead for construction of the R3.5-billion Clairwood Logistics Park and Distribution... 

Despite rocky outlook, port terminals chief says strategy intact

Even though it will be a case of “all hands on deck to do more with less”, everything is on track at Transnet ahead of a challenging 2016, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) CEO Karl Socikwa said during... 

Brownfield Durban upgrades prioritised as dig-out development is deferred

The tide has turned for South African ports and the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is pressing ahead with its investment under Transnet’s Market Demand Strategy (MDS) notwithstanding poor... 

Ports operator highlights role of technology in improving efficiencies

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has improved efficiencies and significantly enhanced port throughput, thereby positively impacting on South Africa’s economic growth, CEO Karl Socikwa told delegates... 

TPT highlights role of technology in improving port efficiencies

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has improved efficiencies and significantly enhanced port throughput, thereby positively impacting on South Africa’s economic growth, CEO Karl Socikwa told delegates... 

Municipality sets ambitious Durban visitor growth target amid new flight options

The eThekwini municipality and the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government are aiming to increase the number of international arrivals in Durban by at least two-million visitors a year – a target that... 

Rate of global deforestation slows, FAO shows

Africa is leading the way when it comes to deforestation with a net yearly loss of 2.8-million hectares of forests between 2010 and 2015. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)... 

South African port costs spark heated debate

A statement that local ports were among the cheapest in the world, sparked intense debate at a Transport Forum meeting, in Durban, late last week. Drawing on global statistics which included a... 

Transport management needs macroeconomic approach

South Africa is a transport challenged country and, although transport-related issues should be a government priority, this is not the case and government has not yet mastered managing transport... 

KZN outlines big infrastructure pipeline for comign five years

The KwaZulu-Natal public and private sectors have no control over turbulence in international markets, currency depreciation and difficult trading conditions but will focus on what is within their... 

Use of aluminium vehicle body panels on the rise

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has begun the second phase of its aluminium localisation initiative, the company’s strategic business development, procurement and export manager Philip Jooste,... 

Auto analysis warns that ‘inertia’ could crimp manufacturing ambitions

South Africa’s automotive industry is not in crisis – but there is a very real danger that inertia could see it regress into lightweight assembly rather than claim its place as a globally... 

UKZN unveils solar car for global race

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) School of Engineering has unveiled the solar-powered car that will be the first African entrant into the biennial Bridgestone World Solar Challenge to be held... 

R840m needed to complete crucial Sani Pass link

Investment of R836.6-million is needed to connect the “missing” 19 km stretch of road between the Sani Pass Hotel at the South African border and the Lesotho border to open up a vital... 

KZN municipalities seek private participation in 26 infrastructure projects

KwaZulu-Natal municipalities pitched 26 projects worth R6.8-billion to prospective private sector funders at the recent KwaZulu-Natal Infrastructure Fair, in Durban. Although the number of projects... 

SA manufacturers urged to have greater confidence in own products

South Africa’s manufacturing sector needs to act as an engine for rather than a mirror of economic growth and it was up to manufacturers themselves to see this, Manufacturing Circle spokesperson... 

Govt acknowledges need for manufacturing sector support

KwaZulu–Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has acknowledged that a lot of work needs to be done if the South African manufacturing industry is to grow and be competitive and sustainable. “We all need to... 

R30m caisson repair project for Durban dry dock

Durban’s ageing dry dock will be closed for two months while Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) completes a R30-million repair to its badly corroded outer caisson. Deputy port engineer... 

Govt determined to begin process to procure up to eight nuclear plants

The procurement process for South Africa’s new build nuclear energy programme will start in the second quarter of this year and be completed by the end of the 2015 financial year with the selection... 

Nuclear energy procurement process to start this month, budget not revealed

The procurement process for South Africa’s new build nuclear energy programme will start in the second quarter of this year and be completed by the end of the 2015 financial year with the selection... 

Master port operators for Africa

Transnet’s Maritime School of Excellence provided the ideal opportunity to provide skills development for South Africa and the rest of the subcontinent,” Department of Public Enterprises acting... 

eThekwini to install solar panels at Moses Mabhida stadium, other facilities

The eThekwini municipality will invest R8.7-million in placing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, uShaka Marine World, Kings Park swimming pool, the Metro Police... 

TNPA continues R17bn infrastructure spend at Durban port

The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) was committed to spending R17-billion on infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Durban by 2023. In a briefing on current projects that had begun or were...