The launch event at Workshop 24 Drydock provided participants with a firsthand look into the inner workings of the maritime industry, igniting their curiosity and inspiring a wave of creative thinking. From the depths of the drydock precinct emerged a call to action, urging young minds to unlock their creativity and problem-solving skills.

The Youth Innovation Competition, spearheaded by Innobiz – DUT, showcased the fusion of design thinking and business development. This fusion catalyzed the emergence of groundbreaking solutions to real-world challenges, propelling participants towards the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The success of the EMC Youth Innovation Challenge would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our partners and the boundless passion of competition participants. Together, they have demonstrated a resolute commitment to driving innovation and fostering positive change within their communities.

As the curtains close on this monumental event, we extend a heartfelt congratulations to all involved. Your dedication and commitment serve as a testament to the transformative power of youth-led innovation. Let us continue to empower the next generation of change-makers and innovators, laying the groundwork for a brighter and more prosperous future.

As the EMC Youth Innovation Challenge unfolds, the creativity and enthusiasm of its participants serve as a reminder of the untapped potential within our youth. With each brainstorming session and entrepreneurial endeavor, we inch closer to a world where innovation knows no bounds. Together, let us nurture tomorrow’s innovators and pave the way for a future filled with endless possibilities.

The partnership between the PRSA and the B-BBEE Commission seeks to address the slow progress of transformation in the sector. According to the PRSA’s report on the “Implementation of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment in South Africa,” Black ownership in port terminal operations, leases, and services and facilities remains below 20%, 18%, and 12%, respectively. Ownership by Black women in the sector is alarmingly below 15%.

Meanwhile, the B-BBEE Commission’s National Trends and Status report on B-BBEE for 2022 reveals that although the Integrated Transport sector achieved 58% Black ownership by JSE listed entities and 25% for Black women in 2022, the Ports sub-sector lags behind. This underscores the challenge of enforcement and accountability for non-compliance with the B-BBEE Act faced by both the PRSA and the B-BBEE Commission.

The B-BBEE Commission is expected to play a key role in strengthening accountability and enforcement, aligning with its powers and functions outlined in the B-BBEE Act, to support the transformation initiatives of the PRSA. The collaboration between the two entities is anticipated to improve monitoring of transformation activities within the Ports Sector, ensuring that black operators and port users benefit in the future.

The MoU facilitates exchanges of information, strategies, expertise, and research related to B-BBEE and transformation, along with engaging in awareness and advocacy programs concerning B-BBEE as needed.

MSC CEO, Soren Toft, underscored the significance of this investment during the opening ceremony on March 7, 2024, which was attended by government officials, industry partners, clients, and MSC personnel.

Toft emphasized that the facility represents a significant milestone for South African exporters and importers of fresh produce, showcasing MSC’s commitment to providing value-added services while fostering local economic development. With a capacity of 8,000 to 10,000 pallets, the facility will facilitate the expansion of import commodities such as chicken from Brazil, the US, and Poland, as well as exports, primarily citrus destined for European, Middle Eastern, and Far Eastern/Asian markets.

Jose Carlos Garcia, MEDLOG’s Warehousing and Distribution Manager, highlighted the facility’s high-quality construction, featuring convertible rooms for both chilled and frozen cargo, mobile racks for space optimization, and a fully integrated warehouse management system with the PPECB database to ensure regulatory compliance and traceability.

Sandock Austral Shipyards, a 100% black-owned South African company, based in Durban, has taken a proactive stance in empowering youth from underprivileged backgrounds. Through this partnership with DFFE, they’ve provided opportunities for young artisans to develop and qualify in a meaningful way.

Reflecting on the recent graduation, the company expressed immense pride in the achievements of these young graduates. Their success marks not only the culmination of hard work and dedication but also a significant step forward in addressing critical skills shortages and youth unemployment challenges in South Africa.

Indeed, this joint venture serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the positive impact that can be achieved through collaboration and investment in the future generation. Congratulations to the graduates, whose journey serves as inspiration for many others aspiring to reach their full potential.

According to MPDC’s annual results report, the Port of Maputo soared to new heights in 2023, handling a staggering volume of 31.2 million tons. That’s a whopping 16% growth compared to the previous year.

What’s particularly noteworthy is the diversity in the cargo handled. Out of the total volume, approximately 25 million tons consisted of various ores, ranging from chromium and ferrochrome to coal and vanadium.

MPDC’s CEO, Osório Lucas, emphasized the significance of this diversification strategy, highlighting a more balanced distribution of transported volumes. Interestingly, while 61% of the cargo was transported by road, a notable 39% was moved by rail—an 8.4% increase compared to the previous year, setting a new record for the Port of Maputo.

Grindrod, a major stakeholder in MPDC, has also been instrumental in enhancing transport links. They’ve been working on strengthening rail connections and have developed an alternative to the Maputo Corridor. Their efforts seem to be paying off, as evidenced by a remarkable 143% growth in export dry bulk volume through the Eswatini multimodal corridor operation.

All in all, the Port of Maputo’s continued growth and strategic initiatives underscore its position as a key player in the region’s freight and logistics landscape.

Source: Freight News

According to Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), Malaysia’s Terberg Tractors will deliver another 25 haulers by mid-April 2024, with the final batch of 10 scheduled for the end of May 2024. These haulers play a crucial role in vessel loading and offloading operations, facilitating the movement of containers with precision and efficiency.

The allocation of equipment across DCT Pier 1 and DCT Pier 2 ensures optimal utilization, with 23 haulers assigned to Pier 1 and 22 to Pier 2. This strategic distribution enhances the terminal’s operational capacity and contributes to overall efficiency gains.

Earle Peters, the Managing Executive at Durban Terminals, expressed gratitude to customers for their support in identifying and procuring this essential equipment. He highlighted the significance of industry collaboration in driving improvements and meeting operational demands.

The haulers come with a 12-month warranty, backed by Terberg as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) through a seven-year partnership. In addition to the haulers, the terminals will also receive four reach stackers and five empty container handlers by the end of May 2024, marking progress in the fleet replacement plan.

Despite the familiarity of operators with similar equipment, each will undergo a day of familiarization to ensure seamless integration and optimal utilization of the newer models. This proactive approach underscores Durban Port’s commitment to safety and operational excellence.

As Durban Port prepares to embark on the citrus season with enhanced capabilities, the arrival of new equipment signals a promising start to a period of increased activity and productivity. With a focus on efficiency and customer satisfaction, the port remains poised to meet the demands of global trade.

Source: KZN Industrial News

Access the link below to find more information:

https://maritimecluster.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/RFQ-EMC-EXTERNAL-AUDITORS-2024.pdf

The international trade world knows that one of the mandates of the ICC is to bring more harmony to the process of selling, financing and the movement of goods in international sales. Even so this process can be extremely time consuming and expensive. So, it is fantastic to hear about the standardized, internationally recognized customs document that has been described the ICC as working very much like a ‘passport’ but for goods. This means that up to one-year, certain goods (with the exception of perishables and goods destined for repair of processing) can used this trusted method to travel to multiple destinations, tax and duty free up to one year. South Africa is one of the current 87 ATA Carnets nations, therefore this process certainly opens up room for more participation in international markets without surprise fees that may potentially seriously overwhelm the overhead of any size business in a dynamic world economy. So yes, it is now possible to safely speed goods through customs.

Ref: https://www.atacarnet.com/carnet-countries

https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/ata-carnet/