Africa News

A French judge on Wednesday placed tycoon Vincent Bollore under formal investigation over allegations his company undercharged for work on behalf of presidential candidates in two African nations in return for port contracts.Bollore's company, Groupe Bollore, announced the decision by Judge Serge Tournaire, which came after Bollore had been questioned for two days by French fraud police.Bollore, whose logistics empire is a powerhouse in former French colonies across West Africa…

Africa needs to take advantage of the economic potential of its ports and shipping sector if it is to realise its growth ambitions. Globally, ports are gateways for 80% of merchandise trade by volume and 70% by value. Investment in ports and their related transport infrastructure to advance trade and promote overall economic development and growth is therefore vital – particularly in emerging economies that are currently under-served by modern transportation facilities. However, port investment must be channelled appropriately to ensure financial sustainability and economic growth.

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) entered the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations April 18, 2018 as part of a routine deployment in support of NATO allies, European and African partner nations, coalition partners, and U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. The presence of the HSTCSG demonstrates the multi-mission capability of the U.S. Navy’s globally deployed force and is part of an ongoing rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

Vopak Rotterdam Botlek is investing in 63.000 cbm state-of-the-art stainless steel capacity (15 tanks) for the storage of Styrene and other hazardous chemicals. Styrene is a vital product used in manufacturing of a wide variety of consumer goods serving markets such as packaging, construction (for example isolation) and automotive. The new infrastructure will be fully insulated to allow for product temperature control and is designed to prevent any emissions to the environment.

South African ship owner Grindrod has sold its bunker division, Unicorn Bunker Services (Pty) Ltd., for an undisclosed sum to new co-owners WOESA (Women in Oil and Energy South Africa) and Linsen Nambi.Financed through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the deal creates the nations first 100 percent black ship owners and facilitates the participation of black women and black youth in the maritime sector.Unicorn Bunker Services was established in 2006 a division of Grindrod Freight Services and operates three bunker tankers in the ports of Durban and Cape Town under contract to BP…

EMAS, the operating brand of Ezra Holdings, a global offshore contractor and provider of integrated offshore solutions to the oil and gas industry, today announced that the group has been awarded subsea construction and offshore support contracts in Asia Pacific and West Africa with a combined value exceeding $125 million, including options. Following contract wins in January, EMAS AMC continued its momentum with subsea contracts awarded in West Africa and Asia, including a deepwater pipeline installation project in the South China Sea.

The manufacturer has received two orders for a total of nine gantry cranes from West Africa. The parties concerned have declined to reveal the value of the orders. The cranes will have some advanced technologies such as auto steering feature which keeps the crane on a pre-programmed, straight driving path as well as fuel saving technologies. According to Konecranes, the new technologies used help improving safety of operation and increase productivity. This contract is a result of a long term relationship.

DNV GL said it has completed a workscope with the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), under funding provided by the EU, to develop guidance for the Greek offshore safety competent authority, Hellenic Ηydrocarbons Resources Management (HHRM), under Greek law 4409/2016 which enacts EU directive (2013/30/EE) on offshore safety. The offshore major hazards guidance was presented to several international and domestic companies and the ministry of environment and energy in Athens, on March 1, 2018.

Royal IHC has secured an order from the Engineering Authority at the Egyptian Ministry of Defence (MOD). The contract comprises the construction of 10 IHC Beaver Cutter Suction Dredgers (CSDs) and five Delta Multi Craft (DMC) 1050 workboats. The order also includes three floating IHC Multi-Booster stations, each delivering 895kW of power, as well as HDPE floating pipelines (10 x 1,500m). In addition, IHC will provide a comprehensive training package for crew and staff. “The CSDs will be deployed for the maintenance of Egypt’s lakes and waterways…

International Maritime Organization (IMO) has contributed to the latest meeting of United Nations bodies working in Africa – the RCM-Africa forum. The forum, which held its 18th session in Dakar, Senegal (25-26 March), provides a platform for all UN programmes and agencies to share information about their work in the continent and coordinate strategies to support African Union programmes. IMO shared information about its technical assistance activities in Africa, which form part…

The CMA CGM Group informed about the improvement of its ASAF service which will deploy 12 vessels of 5,700 containers (TEU) in direct service to West Africa starting May 9th thus becoming the first carrier with vessels of this capacity to call West Africa directly. With the 5, 700 containers (TEU) vessels calling West Africa in direct service, the CMA CGM Group confirms its ambition to reinforce its offer in the area and to support the economic development of the country. The ER CANADA…

Breakbulk's first Africa conference discusses challenges, opportunities in moving breakbuld & heavy-lift cargo in & out of Africa. South Africa's national transport company is planning infrastructure improvements that will move cargo from highways to rail, the chief executive of Transnet recently told 300 attendees at the first Breakbulk Africa Congress held on the African continent. Transnet CEO Brian Molefe said the investment of R300 billion into capital infrastructure projects through 2019 will decrease transportation prices in a country where moving cargo costs more than five times what logistics providers pay in Europe and the U.S.

Subsea 7 S.A. announced it was awarded a contract by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN) for the Production Uplift Pipeline Projects (PUPP) in shallow water, offshore Nigeria. The contract scope includes engineering, construction, transportation, installation and pre-commissioning of 20 kilometres of 24" Corrosion Resistant Alloy (CRA) pipeline between the Idoho Platform and the terminal onshore and of 2 kilometres of 24" CRA pipeline between the Edop and Idoho Platforms, as well as associated topside modifications and tie-ins at both ends.

South African state rail-freight operator Transnet is embarking on a major expansion drive in the rest of the continent, offsetting a slowdown at home caused by the slump in commodity prices, chief executive Siyabonga Gama said on Wednesday.   Transnet, which operates nearly three quarters of all Africa's rail network, was opening offices in West and East Africa and looking to deploy its expertise in running ports and pipelines as well rail, Gama told Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on Africa in Rwanda.   (Reporting by Ed Cropley)

South Africa's port authority Portnet has been chosen to host the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) global conference in April 2003. The hosting of the conference in the Indian Ocean port city of Durban between April 5-11 will be the first time the gathering takes place in Africa, Minister of Public Enterprises Jeff Radebe said. Durban is Africa's busiest port and is southern Africa's largest conduit for containerized cargo.

APL launched a new East Africa Express (EAX) service. The weekly EAX service will connect the Indian subcontinent and Arabian Gulf to East Africa. Trade from the Far East bound for East Africa will depart from Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Nhava Sheva in India. The port at Nhava Sheva will also serve cargoes originating from the Indian subcontinent and Arabian Gulf, alongside ports in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Jason Wong, APL’s Vice President, Intra-Asia, Middle East & Australia Trade, said: “Africa is an expanding economy which continues to report impressive GDP growth, averaging about 5% annually in the past six years. In East Africa, economic growth is projected to accelerate to around 6% in 2007 and 2008.

The continent of Africa will take center stage at the 2013 World Ports & Trade Summit, which takes place in Abu Dhabi from March 19-20, with a special focus session on day two of the event to examine opportunities in the region for both trade and infrastructure development. Growth in seaborne trade between China and Africa is already benefiting UAE ports, as the world’s third largest economy and the emerging African continent rely on the Emirates’ trading gateway status, further boosted by growth in bilateral trade between South Africa and the UAE…

The CMA CGM Group said 2014 will be the year of African ambition. At this occasion, the CMA CGM Group announced the launch of its new advertisement campaign in Africa thus reaffirming its ambition to expand further on this continent. This new campaign, uses a CMA CGM AFRICAMAX vessel specially built to optimize operations in African ports, reasserts the Group’s position as leader in the transport market through a global offer of both maritime and inland services. Present in Africa since 2001…

Dredging Africa (Pty) Ltd has signed a contract with Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) for the delivery of a Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) 250. Due to Damen’s policy of series building standardized vessels, the CSD was in stock and available for fast delivery in March 2018. This will be the first Damen CSD to operate in South Africa. The contract for the CSD came about after Dredging Africa signed a memorandum of understanding with DSCT at the yard’s first African Dredging Seminar, held in October last year.

African economies are growing, and becoming more connected to the world economy than ever before. Still, many companies have not discovered the great business opportunities on offer in Africa. In 2017, Nor-Shipping, one of the world’s leading maritime events, will put Africa on the agenda. “We are delighted to present the first Africa week to our delegates next year,” Birgit Liodden, Nor-Shipping director. The program for 2017 has been dubbed Africa@Nor-Shipping 2017, and will…

In line with the West Africa market trend, CMA CGM Group adapts its service offering while continuing to improve its service reliability and cost efficiency. Withdrawal of WAX 2 service. WAX | Operated by CMA CGM with 12 vessels of 4,350 TEU, will discontinue South Africa and Nigeria calls. Instead, the service will add Abidjan Westbound to its current export call with an improved transit time up to 5 days. Abidjan from Shanghai will be reached in 37 days. ASAF | The sole product available on the market to West Africa South Range is operated with 12 vessels up to 9,350 TEU.

United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) has launched two new West Africa services, WAF2 and WAF3, to enhance schedule reliability and cater to growing demand. The new services, effective September 2015, will operate in addition to UASC’s existing WAF1 service. Lars Christiansen, Chief Trade Officer at UASC commented, “In addition to reduced transit times and enhanced schedule reliability, the new services are designed to improve connections between West Mediterranean and West Africa enabling our customers globally to avail of new opportunities.

TOKYO—Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. MOL will meet customer needs by providing high-quality direct services and by providing variety of port coverage continuously. MOL will join  new Asia and South Africa Service (ASA). Opening of the new route, linking Central and South China, Taiwan, South East Asia and South Africa, will start on April 8, 2012. MOL will offer a weekly service by joining the existing ASA service, operated by Kline (Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha) and PIL (Pacific International Lines). The service will be operated by 8 vessels, and MOL will provide one ship (MV MOL DELIGHT). This service will offer direct inbound and outbound service between Central China, Taiwan and the South Africa region and strengthen the existing network in South Africa (Durban and Cape Town).