New Technology for Subsea Pipe and Cable Tracking
Utility companies have been laying pipes and cables across the ocean floor for more than a century. Prior to the introduction of GPS, marking their location was difficult, and position information was often erroneous. It is extremely important to know where existing lines lie before undertaking dredging operations or when new pipes and cables are laid down. Regulations require they be buried from several feet to several meters under the bottom to prevent snagging by anchors and…
Wholesale Port Sell-Off Not An Option
South Africa said it would not go for the wholesale sell-off of ports as they were regarded as strategic assets. Public Enterprises Minister Jeff Radebe said that the government had developed a ports policy to be released early next year. "Government does not envisage a wholesale privatization of ports. Instead, private operators will have a role in South African parts by way of concessions and public-private partnerships," said Radebe. South Africa has embarked on a process to accelerate the restructuring and partial privatization of state-owned assets -- focusing on defense group Denel, transport parastatal Transnet, telecommunications group Telkom and power utility Eskom.