Shipping crisis forces major retailers to get creative
In what seems to be a growing trend of addressing liner shortfalls by throwing money at box manufacturers, the world’s largest furniture retailer is ordering its own containers to independently charter vessels.
Eswatini on high alert amid threats of border closures
MBABANE – Road freight - and possibly rail freight - stand to be disrupted this week as pro-democracy activists in Eswatini, joined by fellow activists in South Africa, have declared this week Eswatini Global Week of Action. In particular, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has vowed to blockade the country by closing border posts on Thursday (September 9).
Box rates continue to rise to record levels
Ocean containerisation rates have more than quadrupled since the beginning of the year as shippers across the globe, led for the most part by multinational supply-chain concerns, drive prices to levels well beyond the previous peak recorded 16 years ago.
Startling increase in truck hijackings
An increase of 107.6% – that’s how much truck hijackings have gone up.
Motorists outraged over proposed driving licence charges
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has added its voice to a swathe of objections to the Department of Transport’s proposal to charge motorists R250 to make an online booking for a slot in the queue to renew a driving licence, which is over and above the transaction fees.
Gender equity in focus as forwarding major appoints new GM
At a time when organisations like the Commercial Transport Academy and others are addressing gender equity challenges within the freight sector, Rhenus Logistics has joined the vanguard in blazing a trail for transformation with the appointment of Laurice Burrell in an executive position.
Hauliers warned of disruption outside Durban port
Harbour carriers at the Port of Durban are advised to proceed with caution following reports of violent disruption outside the port perimeter.
Zambia takes a big bulk freight step in Namibia’s direction
It comes as no surprise that Namibia, as part of a national development plan to pitch itself as a logistics alternative to South Africa where hinterland and portside problems persist, has succeeded in persuading Zambia to use the Port of Walvis Bay over the Port of Durban for copper exports.
Vessel charter rates skyrocketing
Supply-chain concerns eager to secure sailing certainty are digging deep, very deep, to mitigate against ocean freight challenges, pushing the price of vessel chartering through the roof – literally.
Remote-controlled loco plunges into NZ harbour
Harbour authorities in New Zealand are investigating the circumstances that resulted in a remote-controlled shunting locomotive plunging off a linkspan at Picton harbour, dragging a wagon and two tankers with it.
