Steel production down by 15.1%

[Helmo Preuss] South African steel production fell by 15.1% year-on-year (y/y) in April to an estimated 570‚000 tons after dropping by 16.6% y/y in February to 515‚000 tons‚ according to World Steel Association data. 22 May 2013 09:14

Bulk exports marginally higher in April

[Helmo Preuss] SA's bulk export volumes rose by 0.5% year-on-year (y/y) in April to 13.1m tons (Mt)‚ according to data from the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) released on Monday (13 May). 14 May 2013 09:59

Transnet's new cranes start working

Seven ship-to-shore cranes worth R700m were unveiled by Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba at Transnet's Durban container terminal on Monday (13 May). 14 May 2013 07:51

Transnet closes Richards Bay line

Railway operator Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) announced on Monday (13 May) that the coal export line to Richards Bay will be closed down for 12 days from 14 to 25 May for routine maintenance work. 14 May 2013 07:28

Funding for Durban dig-out port uncertain

There seems little doubt that despite questions and some objections, the proposed new dig-out port on the site of the old Durban International airport will go ahead. Exploratory drilling on the site by Transnet is already under way - what it calls early research - into the geotechnical composition of the soil. 13 May 2013 10:18

Textainer lowers its borrowing costs

Logistics company Trencor said on Wednesday (8 May) that its 48.5% held subsidiary Textainer‚ which operates the world's largest fleet of containers‚ was able to extend the maturity and achieve a favourable repricing of its US$1.2bn financing facility. 9 May 2013 07:53

RBCT exports up 20,6% this year

[Helmo Preuss] Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) saw a 20.6% year-on-year (y/y) rise in tonnage shipped to 6.2m tons (Mt) after a 20% y/y gain in March to 7.5Mt. In February's RBCT's exports declined by 10.4% y/y decline to 5.5Mt while in January, exports were just 4.2Mt. 8 May 2013 09:19

Development zones to boost poor regions?

[Mark Allix] The government has identified 10 potential special economic zones that could be extremely beneficial for South African manufacturers as these zones are likely to bring mainstream economic activity to poor and isolated parts of SA by leveraging the commercial potential of particular regions. 7 May 2013 08:15

PetroSA to review spending audits

The PetroSA board has commissioned a review of audits into spending‚ the parastatal said last week. 29 Apr 2013 10:41

Cape conferences highlight importance of sea freight

[Helmo Preuss] Two conferences held in Cape Town this week highlighted the fact that about 90% of all trade between countries is shipped by sea. 26 Apr 2013 10:42

SA to enter the 'Olympics' of skills training

The Services Sector Education and Training Authority hopes that the launch of World Skills South Africa in Cape Town will encourage young people to take up skills training and education. 24 Apr 2013 09:21

At Source markets not 'drying' up

[Zeenat Moorad] Speciality food firm At Source Handmade Foods is raising the bar for dried fruit producers in SA, following its successful entry into Australia, the UK and the Middle East. It also recently launched its own consumer brand, Cecilia's World in South Africa. 23 Apr 2013 08:51

Shipping vital for international trade

[Helmo Preuss] Two conferences held in Cape Town last week highlighted the fact that about 90% of all trade between countries is shipped by sea. 22 Apr 2013 10:00

Billions must be spent on railways in Africa

Africa will need to spend more than US$50bn in the next decade on building 4,000km of additional rail infrastructure to unlock the mineral resource potential on the continent. 22 Apr 2013 07:35