Author:jaco-de-klerk

Biofuel’s dirty secret October 22, 2025 Global demand for biofuels continues to rise, despite them being responsible for 16% more carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than the fossil fuels they displace… JACO DE KLERK reports. A recent study by Cerulogy*, a global consultancy that specialises in alternative and cleaner fuels policies, on behalf of Transport and Environment (T&E), has revealed that global biofuels production emits 16% more CO₂ than the fossil fuels it replaces. It also consumes vast areas of agricultural […]

Eyes popping, not rolling? August 5, 2025 Chinese companies are dominating the passenger car market, but what about light commercial vehicles (LCVs)? JACO DE KLERK explores whether this will happen in SA. The year 2015 delivered some interesting events. NASA’s Dawn probe entered orbit around Ceres, a dwarf planet in the middle main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, becoming the first spacecraft to visit a small planetary body. Scientists also announced the discovery of a previously […]

SA joins the (new) power play September 29, 2025 Love them or hate them, alternative drivetrains are set to take over the transport industry. Geared towards transporting goods over short to medium distances, medium commercial vehicles (MCVs) are perfect candidates to lead this charge, but will South Africa’s shortcomings cause this revolution to stagnate? Alternative drivetrains have been making headlines across the globe, and South Africa has joined this trend. We covered the latest example in June, with Hino South […]

Smart trailers making things safer? October 15, 2025 The trucking industry is discovering that electrified trailers (eTrailers) offer more than just fuel savings and environmental benefits… JACO DE KLERK reports. Range Energy, a company specialising in trailer electrification technology, has completed vehicle dynamics and stability testing for its eTrailer system at the Transportation Research Center. The results – generated at one of North America’s most advanced independent mobility testing facilities – show that eTrailers can actively enhance safety in ways […]

The hidden cost of dirty diesel July 25, 2025 Fuel contamination remains a significant threat to industrial equipment, worker safety, and environmental protection across various industries. We discover how this pervasive problem affects mechanical reliability and operational safety, creating substantial legal and financial liabilities.   “Adulterated fuel is not just a matter of poor performance; it is a direct threat to equipment integrity, worker safety, and environmental sustainability,” says Craig FitzGerald, CEO of ISO-Reliability Partners. “The problem is far more […]

Fortune-telling for fleets September 17, 2025 Vivo Energy, a pan-African retailer and marketer of Shell- and Engen-branded fuels and lubricants, launched its VE-CEM (continuous equipment monitoring) solution on 15 September, powered by digital twin technology from tech company Intangles.  This new offer is targeted at commercial customers in the transport and logistics, mining, construction, and agricultural sectors, where equipment uptime is critical to operations and profitability. With VE-CEM, Vivo Energy says that customers can reduce downtime, cut maintenance costs, improve […]

5,500 years in the making September 10, 2025 JACO DE KLERK discovers that while the wheel can be considered one of the most important technological advancements in human history, tyres claim this title for the transport industry. One couldn’t narrate the tale of tyres without first mentioning the wheel. “A Sumerian pictograph, dated about 3500 BC, shows a sledge equipped with wheels,” notes Britannica, the oldest English general encyclopaedia. “The idea of wheeled transportation may have come from the use […]

Let the games begin! June 22, 2025 Telematics has become synonymous with the transport industry due to the myriad benefits it provides. This sector also has the ability to enhance safety in fun new ways… Grand View Research, a market research and consulting company based in both India and the US, notes in a recent report that the global commercial vehicle (CV) telematics market size was valued at US$61.52 billion in 2024, and is expected to grow at a compound […]

Getting back on track? July 3, 2025 It’s no secret that South Africa’s rail network has been ageing and ailing for decades, but JACO DE KLERK says there might be light at the end of the tunnel…  One year into her tenure as South Africa’s Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy faces what she candidly describes as “the best and the worst job I’ve ever had”. “It’s the best because there’s so much to learn and so much to contribute, and […]

When giants come knocking July 8, 2025 Maritime transport has long been steeped in myths and wonders, with stories of old telling of mermaids, ghost ships, and fearsome sea creatures. These mysteries might be poppycock, but giants did come knocking at the shores of Africa, as gigantic container ships have berthed across the continent. The sea has always held a profound significance in human history, serving as a source of sustenance, a pathway for trade, and a realm of mystery […]