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Regulars

Regulars

FOcus on transport and Logistics

Our regular columns and sections are all contributions from leading industry figures.

February 14, 2019

The drive to talk about male-specific cancers

With the health of truck drivers continually increasing in importance, shouldn’t the list of health concerns also include one of the most prevalent killers...

February 14, 2019

Is SA and its logistics industry missing the “Gateway to Africa” boat?

Global trends show a strong correlation between regional economic growth and developing regional hub ports as gateways to trade. South Africa and Durban are...

February 14, 2019

On spatial planning and integrated transport solutions

Our numbers man, SAM ROLLAND, discusses the potential to design an efficient, integrated transport system for South Africa in this two-part series. One of...

February 14, 2019

‘Ere we go … again

As 2019 gains momentum, unworkable transport legislation still hangs thick in the air After 20 years of continual transport of high-cube containers on all...

February 14, 2019

A Call to Reduce Truck Accidents

Following the increase in heavy-vehicle road accidents during the beginning of the 2018 festive season, the Minister of Transport, Blade Nzimande, is calling for...

December 12, 2018

Metrorail meltdown

Prasa’s woes mean the new Minister of Transport, Blade Nzimande, has to focus on constitutionality The timing was exquisite. Slap in the middle of...

December 12, 2018

From Road to Rail, the finale

We finalise our discussion on creating dedicated hubs for moving freight from road to rail. Road to rail (R2R) Hubs could be the solution...

December 12, 2018

When forces collide

Is the government compromising its own objectives – and that of this industry? Like many economists in the country, I tuned in attentively on...

December 12, 2018

A (sad) day in the life of a cross-border truck driver

Attacked and threatened by the people who should be protecting them, truck drivers in southern Africa are fearing for their lives Truck drivers in...

December 12, 2018

Counter-balancing the rising fuel price

With no end to its rise in sight, the fuel price can be offset to some degree by a proactive attitude. It is impossible...

December 12, 2018

Shining bright to light the way

Ever driven at night and given thought to how well, or how poorly, you can see what’s going on around you? Welcome to the...

December 12, 2018

Schmitz Cargobull debuts swap box with electric refrigeration unit

We’re all talking about e-mobility. I’m certainly writing about it all the time in this column. And e-trucks are almost becoming a dime a...

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focusmagsa

⛏️ Electra Mining Africa 2026 is almost upon us!

⛏️ Electra Mining Africa 2026 is almost upon us!

Electra Mining Africa returns to Nasrec, Johannesburg, from 7–11 September, bringing together more than 1,000 exhibitors across a record 44,000m² of exhibition space.

Discover the latest in mining, automation, AI, robotics, safety, power, manufacturing and industrial technology – and see how smarter, connected solutions are transforming industry.

FOCUS on Transport & Logistics will be there! Come and visit us at Stand LN04 – we’d love to see you.

👉 Read our full Electra Mining Africa preview. See link in bio.

#ElectraMiningAfrica #ElectraMining2026 #Mining #IndustrialTechnology #FOCUSonTransport

𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗱: 𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿

𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗱: 𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮

🎂 The box that “made the world smaller and the world economy bigger” is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, and what better time than now to read up on its history in FOCUS, including the achievements made in South Africa by the country’s own containerisation pioneer.

When Grindrod opened SA’s first container depot and service in 1971, containerisation was becoming a global phenomenon, and South Africa needed operators willing to build the infrastructure to keep pace. Grindrod was one of them.

🌍️ The organisation was founded by Captain John Grindrod in 1910 as a clearing and forwarding agency. While it may have taken another 60 years to launch South Africa’s containerisation sector, today Grindrod is a JSE-listed freight and logistics group with subsidiaries, joint ventures and associated companies spanning 21 countries across the globe.

🏗️ Grindrod’s container logistics network handles everything from dry bulk commodities to refrigerated cargo, connecting inland supply chains with ports and global markets. Strategically located depots, warehouses and container yards across South Africa and Mozambique provide reliable storage, handling and distribution solutions.

In South Africa, Grindrod’s container business operates facilities in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg with a combined footprint of 151,000m² and capacity for close to 13,500 TEUs.

👀 Read the rest of Grindrod's story in the August issue of FOCUS: https://buff.ly/g5moEU3

👉 Explore the history of containerisation here: https://buff.ly/pLFG2G0

#ContainerShipping #GlobalTrade #Grindrod #Freight #Logistics

As we celebrate Women's Month, we recognise the wo

As we celebrate Women's Month, we recognise the women who are not only breaking barriers but also helping to shape the future of South Africa's transport and logistics industry.

In Issue 8 of FOCUS, Michelle de Freitas, country sales manager at @webfleetlife South Africa, shares how artificial intelligence, connected data and intelligent telematics are transforming fleet management – enabling operators to improve safety, reduce costs and make smarter, faster decisions.

As one of the leading female voices in the telematics industry, De Freitas also reflects on her own leadership journey, the importance of authenticity and trust, and why creating meaningful opportunities for women in transport is essential to driving innovation and progress.

Read the full article on the FOCUS website. See link in bio.

#WomensMonth #WomenInLeadership #WomenInTransport #Telematics #FleetManagement #AI #TransportInnovation #Logistics #Webfleet #FOCUSOnTransport

🚚 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝘀

🚚 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

In the August issue of FOCUS, Sanjay Naipal, aftermarket director at UD Trucks Southern Africa, explains how smarter vehicle selection, data, maintenance, parts and drivers protect long-term fleet profitability.

💸 Every hour a truck stands idle represents lost revenue, missed deliveries and mounting operational costs. Uptime requires a strategic approach that begins long before a vehicle enters the workshop.

🗣️ Profitability depends on keeping vehicles on the road safely and efficiently – and Naipal stresses that uptime begins long before a breakdown occurs. “Customers are not simply buying a truck. They are investing in the vehicle, support network, maintenance strategy, parts supply and technology that keep it productive,” he says.

👉 Read all about it here: https://buff.ly/BFj3MIW

#UDTrucksSA #UptimeEdge #Profitability #VehicleMaintenance

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has introduced the new Actros

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has introduced the new Actros range, a truck designed around the realities of modern transport operations.

Rather than focusing on adding more features, the new Actros range has been refined to deliver the qualities that matter most to operators: proven performance, trusted reliability, and the engineering excellence synonymous with the Mercedes-Benz name.

Built to handle the demands of the road and backed by decades of experience, the new range demonstrates that confidence comes from what a truck can do, not how much it comes with.

The new Actros range.

Refined to its essentials. Simplified by design. Proven by performance.
#MercedesBenzTrucks #NewActros #BuiltWithWhatMattersMost #Actros

🚛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗨𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘! This Women’s

🚛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗨𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘!

This Women’s Month, FOCUS on Transport & Logistics celebrates the people, ideas and machines moving our industry forward.

🌟 COVER STORY: VOLVO TRUCKS PUTS WOMEN IN THE DRIVING SEAT

We look at how Volvo Trucks is driving meaningful gender transformation across South Africa’s transport industry. Women already account for 36% of Volvo Group Southern Africa employees at professionally qualified, senior management and top management levels, while the company is targeting 50% female representation across all levels by 2030.

Its pioneering Iron Women programme has also equipped 556 women with the training and qualifications needed to become professional truck drivers.

Also inside:

🚚 New Generation DAF comes to South Africa
💗 The unforgettable pink MAN
⚠️ South Africa’s roads become crime corridors
🚧 Border queues costing billions
🤖 The risk of AI gender bias
🏁 Truck Test 2026 gets even bigger
🇬🇧 The best of RTX 2026
🏆 Meet the 2027 International Truck and Van of the Year finalists

📖 Read it here: https://shorturl.at/auZW1svg

Read it. Share it. Stay ahead.

#FOCUSonTransport #Transport #Logistics #Trucking #WomenInTransport #VolvoTrucks #TruckTest2026

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 & 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

📢 Daimler Truck Southern Africa is entering two Mercedes-Benz Actros models into Truck Test 2026: the Actros 2652LS/33 RE (Road Efficiency) and Actros 2652LS/33 HT (Hill Terrain).

⚡️ Powered by the renowned OM473 engine and equipped with advanced safety, efficiency and driver-assistance technologies, these trucks are built to perform in southern Africa's toughest operating conditions.

👉 Read more about these formidable competitors in the August issue of FOCUS: https://focusontransport.co.za/built-on-trust-mercedes-benz-trucks-expands-its-range/

#MercedesBenzTrucks #Actros #FocusOnTransport #TruckTest2026 #DaimlerTruckSA

🎉𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝘁

🎉𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗼 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆

From assembling ~4 units per day to the 12 now rolling off the shopfloor every day, the Durban facility and its employees have grown from strength to strength.

💪 The event was attended by eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba who remarked that the Volvo Trucks facility has been a cornerstone of the city’s industrial capabilities. “To witness your evolution from a modest operation to a substantial plant that can produce an excess of 2,000 units a year, is a powerful statement of confidence in the future of our city,” said Xaba. “This growth has contributed to increased job opportunities and further strengthened the local economy.”

Currently employing 142 people, the plant forms part of Volvo Group Southern Africa, which is headquartered in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. Volvo Trucks assembles trucks in 12 countries across the globe as part of the broader Volvo Group industrial network.

🗣️ Vuyo Sabata, Volvo Trucks plant director, says the team is proud to be part of the KwaZulu-Natal and Amanzimtoti community. “Every employee who comes through our gates represents a family, a community and a future. The impact of our manufacturing operations extends far beyond the plant itself through the opportunities it creates and the livelihoods it supports,” he said.

🧰 Women currently represent 40% of the plant’s workforce and make up 23% of the assembly line team. “While we are proud of this achievement, we also recognise that there is still room for improvement,” added Sabata. “Increasing female representation remains an important focus area and we are committed to driving continuous progress to build a more diverse and inclusive workplace.”

💚 Sustainability is also a strong focus at the plant where investments have been made in solar energy generation, water-harvesting systems, energy-efficient LED lighting and waste-reduction programmes.

#VolvoTrucksSA #Manufacturing #SouthAfrica #Localisation

🚨 𝗦𝗔𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆

🚨 𝗦𝗔𝗔𝗙𝗙 𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆

The ongoing failure of the NAVIS container management system of International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI) continues to paralyse operations at the Port of Durban – and the knock-on effects are hitting freight forwarders, cargo owners, producers and transporters across the national supply chain.
After sustained engagement with port and Transnet management, the Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) has taken the crisis directly to the Presidency. A delegation is now en route to the port today (21 August), fully briefed on the operational and economic stakes.

SAAFF's key demands:
✅ Industry must be directly represented in the intervention and recovery process
✅ Container flows must be restored urgently
✅ Costs from system failures cannot be passed on to cargo owners or freight forwarders

📢 Beyond immediate recovery, this crisis underscores a bigger need: permanent structures to identify risks and intervene before they escalate. SAAFF is calling for RESOLVE Activism Structures within its OpsCo programme – industry-led nodes linking SAAFF members, private operators, cargo owners and public authorities for early warning, coordinated action and accountability.
Industry can't afford to wait for the next crisis. It needs a permanent voice in operational planning, and a real mechanism to turn frontline intelligence into action.

👉 SAAFF will keep industry updated as recovery measures progress.

#SAAFF #SupplyChain #DurbanPort #FreightForwarding #SouthAfrica

⚡️🔋𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝟯 Th

⚡️🔋𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗚𝗘 𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝟯

Three months after launching its off-grid, solar-powered EV-charging network on the N3, Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has confirmed plans to double charging capacity at both Charge hubs in response to growing demand.

📈 The upgrade will increase total charging capacity at each hub from 360kW to up to 720kW and will allow more vehicles, including commercial trucks, to charge simultaneously at higher power and future-proof the network for the next generation of 800-volt vehicles entering the market.

☀️ Solar capacity at each site will grow by 66,1% to 470kWp, while battery storage will increase by 117,1% to 1.4MWh. The additional storage will help bank renewable energy and support high-power, off-grid charging when solar production is insufficient.

💚 CHARGE estimates that the additional solar generation could avoid around 585 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions each year compared with drawing the same energy from the national grid.

🗣️ CHARGE co-founder Joubert Roux says the firm expects the same story to play out on the N1 and is already planning for it.

#GreenTransport #ElectricTrucks #EVs #ChargingStations #SouthAfrica

👏 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 & 𝗕𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮

👏 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 & 𝗕𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮

Reinforcing its long-term commitment to the local market through strategic investment in leadership, MAN Truck & Bus South Africa has appointed Andrew O’Brooks (pictured) as managing director, following the conclusion of Jan Aichinger’s tenure in that role.

💪 During his leadership, Aichinger strengthened MAN’s position in the South African market while reinforcing the company’s commitment to its customers, employees and dealer network. “I leave South Africa having built incredible relationships with our employees, customers, dealer partners and stakeholders. While I may be moving overseas, this is not goodbye, but rather ‘see you later’. South Africa has truly become my home, and I leave knowing the business is in capable hands for its next chapter,” he said.

🙏 MAN extends its sincere appreciation to Aichinger for his leadership and contribution and wishes him every success as he assumes the role of managing director of MAN Hungary.

O’Brooks brings more than four decades of international experience in the commercial vehicle industry during which he has built a reputation for transforming businesses, developing high-performing teams and strengthening customer relationships across Europe, Central Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. Most recently, he served as managing director of MAN Truck & Bus Trading China and head of the Greater China cluster.

🗣️ “My vision is to lead MAN Truck & Bus South Africa into its next chapter by building on our employee confidence, redefining our market promise and fostering a culture where every challenge strengthens our competitive edge, while never losing sight of customer success,” said O'Brooks. “Customers choose MAN because of our people, our attitude and the service we deliver every day. That is what will define our success.”

👉 Look out for our in-depth interview with O'Brooks in the September issue of FOCUS on Transport.

#MANTruckAndBusSA #Leadership #Management #SouthAfrica #Transport

📢 𝗙𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻

📢 𝗙𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆

The Foton Auman 560 has been engineered to meet the demands of modern long-haul transport by combining proven global technology with comprehensive local support.

Designed for maximum productivity, driver comfort and low total cost of ownership, it delivers the performance, reliability and efficiency required for South Africa's toughest freight operations – as well as the demands of Truck Test 2026.

💪 Powering the Auman 560 is a 560hp Cummins engine that delivers exceptional torque across the operating range, maintaining strong pulling power on steep gradients, under heavy loads and across long-distance routes. Combined with the proven ZF Automated Manual Transmission, the integrated Super Powertrain delivers intelligent gear selection, smooth shifting and optimised fuel efficiency.

👉 What other features make the Auman 560 a contender to watch in Africa's largest extra-heavy vehicle comparison event? You'll have to read the September issue of FOCUS to find out...

#FotonTrucksSA #TruckTest2026 #FOCUS #PayloadProductivity

🌞 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 Switz

🌞 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀

Switzerland is reshaping how we think about unused infrastructure.

🚆 A Swiss start-up, Sun-Ways, is testing a removable solar panel system that can be installed between active train tracks. The pilot in Buttes in the Neuchâtel canton covers 100m of track and uses 48 solar panels placed on railway sleepers.

The panels can be removed quickly to allow track maintenance, with a specialised machine able to install or remove nearly 1,000 square metres in just a few hours.

⚡️ The Buttes pilot could generate up to 16,000kWh of electricity per year, enough for around four to six households. Scaled across suitable parts of Switzerland’s rail network, Sun-Ways estimates the concept could supply about 2% of the country’s electricity use.

👉 It’s a powerful reminder that the energy transition is not only about building new infrastructure, it’s also about reimagining the spaces we already have.

If railway corridors, rooftops, stations and other overlooked surfaces can become clean-energy assets, what other everyday infrastructure could we turn into part of the solution? 🤔

👀 More: https://buff.ly/MTL4EeQ

#Solar #RailTransport #Switzerland #EnergyTransition

❄️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰: 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗹

❄️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰: 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘁𝘀?

The 35,000t container ship Dubai Tower departed Ningbo, China, last week for Felixstowe, UK – not through the usual Suez Canal route but through the Arctic via the Bering Strait and the Northern Sea Route.

🚢 The journey is expected to take ~20 days vs 32-40 days via Suez, or up to 50 days via the Cape route that many carriers are now using to avoid Red Sea attacks.
Carrying 1,700 containers and 20 crew, the ship has nuclear icebreaker support on standby for ice conditions.

🐻‍❄️ This sailing by Chinese line Sea Legend aims to be the first of a weekly scheduled service during the roughly two-month Arctic shipping window. It’s part of China’s decade-long push to open a polar trade corridor as sea ice retreats faster than expected.

Two other Chinese firms are also planning Arctic services, while South Korea’s PanStar will conduct an experimental sailing later this month.

🌡️ Recent climate-change research suggests ice-free Arctic summers could arrive within a decade rather than by 2050, shifting the Northern Sea Route from experimental to genuinely commercially relevant.

🗣️ But Lars Jensen, Vespucci Maritime CEO, warns that polar operations bring huge potential risks to ships, seafarers and the environment. “If things turn bad you won’t get through and at worst you could be looking at a maritime disaster. Nobody’s going to come to your help in that part of the world. And if you rupture the hull and there’s an oil spill, you can’t clean it up.”

⚠️ Firms including Maersk that have completed polar sailings in the past have pledged not to route freight through Arctic waters based on safety considerations and environmental sensitivity.

👀 More: https://buff.ly/PM8Khy4

#Shipping #Logistics #Arctic #GlobalTrade #Maritime

𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗦𝗔𝗘𝗣𝗔 𝗖𝗘𝗢 To m

𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗦𝗔𝗘𝗣𝗔 𝗖𝗘𝗢

To mark the recent passing of Garry Marshall, CEO of the South African Express Parcel Association (SAEPA), the following words have been shared with FOCUS by Maxeen Naidoo, international imports specialist at SkyNet Worldwide Express South Africa.

“Garry was more than just a leader; he was the heartbeat of our industry. A truly remarkable soul. His boundless passion for life and his relentless pursuit of excellence inspired everyone to be fortunate enough to know him. Garry possessed an incredible wealth of knowledge, but what made him truly special was his humility and willingness to share that wisdom generously. He was a mentor to many, always offering honest opinions with unwavering conviction.

“He poured his heart and soul into the express logistics industry. He built a foundation rooted in integrity, innovation and positivity. He also was passionate about skills development which is how Garry and I became acquainted. His legacy is one that the next generation can be proud of. We are grateful for his selfless service."

The FOCUS team extends sincere condolences to Garry's loved ones at this sad time.

Not every truck needs all the bells and whistles;

Not every truck needs all the bells and whistles; some just need to get the job done.

That's why Mercedes-Benz Trucks refined the new Actros range down to its essentials:

✔ Proven Mercedes-Benz powertrain
✔ Trusted reliability
✔ Engineering built for the long haul

No paying for features you'll never use or compromising on what you actually need.

The new Actros range.

Refined to its essentials.
Simplified by design. Proven by performance.

#MercedesBenzTrucks #NewActros #BuiltWithWhatMattersMost #Actros

🚍️ 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝘆𝗖𝗶𝗧𝗶 𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻

🚍️ 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝘆𝗖𝗶𝗧𝗶 𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘁𝘀

👏 The City of Cape Town has welcomed a final High Court interdict protecting construction projects for the MyCiTi Cape Flats route expansion from extortion, intimidation and unlawful interference.

The country’s largest public transport project is set to benefit over 1,4 million residents across 30 neighbourhoods, from Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha to Wynberg and Claremont.

🗣️ The City’s mayoral committee member for urban mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, commented: “Extortion is a crime. When people threaten workers, demand protection money or stop construction, it delays projects and prevents communities from getting the services and infrastructure they need. The finalisation of this court order is a major victory for the City, our contractors and, most importantly, the communities who will benefit from the MyCiTi Cape Flats route expansion as well as other Urban Mobility projects that have been hampered by extortion. We will not allow threats, intimidation or demands for protection money to stop public infrastructure from being built. This court order gives us an important tool to protect our workers, contractors and the delivery of this project.”

⚠️ Other roads and mobility projects in high-risk areas have been impacted by extortion threats. On 20 July 2026, roadworks in Mzamo Crescent, Nyanga, were stopped after an unidentified man threatened to burn plant machinery and vehicles as well as shoot anyone who attempted to prevent this. The man also demanded that the contractor pay a protection fee.

🚓 The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been directed to assist with enforcement of the interdict. The City encourages anyone with information regarding related criminal conduct to report it to SAPS.

📞 The City’s Enough! Genoeg! Kwanele! campaign also encourages anonymous reporting of extortion and intimidation. A toll free tip-offs hotline (0800 00 6992) is available 24/7 for reporting incidents of extortion directly to the City anonymously.

#Corruption #Extortion #PublicTransport #BusTransport #WesternCape

🚜 The future of industrial technology is connected

🚜 The future of industrial technology is connected, intelligent and focused on results.

Electra Mining Africa 2026 will showcase the latest innovations in AI, automation, robotics, predictive maintenance, digital manufacturing and industrial technology.

Taking place 7–11 September at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, the event will feature more than 1,000 exhibitors across a record 44,000m² exhibition space.

Discover the technologies and solutions shaping the future of mining, manufacturing and industry.

👉 Find out more and register: www.electramining.co.za

#ElectraMiningAfrica #EMA2026 #Mining #Manufacturing #IndustrialTechnology #Innovation

✈️ 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗝𝗩 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻-𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲

✈️ 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗝𝗩 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻-𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

At the Paris Air Show in June 2025, Airbus and Germany’s MTU Aero Engines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate technology development, design, testing and certification of a revolutionary propulsion system for aviation based on a hydrogen fuel cell.

🤝 The non-binding agreement, subject to standard regulatory approvals, should see the new joint venture start operations in 2027.

🗣️ “Our ambitious goal is to pave the way for a newly developed, safe, reliable and economical propulsion system that will contribute to climate-neutral aviation,” said Dr Stefan Weber of MTU Aero Engines. “This project is a crucial milestone on our path to the first hydrogen-powered engine. To that end, we want to create a company that covers the entire life cycle of fuel cell powertrains.”

🔋 Hydrogen has the potential to play a crucial role in substantially reducing the climate impact of aviation in the long term and transforming air transport in a way comparable to the impact of electric vehicles in the automotive sector.

Beyond the engine technologies, Airbus and MTU will continue to foster the emergence of a hydrogen aviation economy and the associated regulatory framework, which are also critical enablers to the advent of hydrogen-powered flight at scale.

👀 More: https://buff.ly/mwQMvgD

#HydrogenFuelCells #Airbus #GreenTransport #HydrogenAviation

🤔 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮 𝗥𝟮𝗯𝗻 𝘁𝘆𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗲𝗴𝗮? Ch

🤔 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮 𝗥𝟮𝗯𝗻 𝘁𝘆𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗲𝗴𝗮?

Chinese tyre manufacturing giant, the Sailun Group, is considering the feasibility of establishing a tyre production and recycling facility at the Coega Special Economic Zone of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

🚌 The group had apparently considered an alternative South African location but was met with delays. A major global player, Sailun has six tyre brands and numerous production bases. It’s also the first Chinese manufacturer to supply tyres to the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

🗣️ According to executive mayor Babalwa Lobishe, the R2bn investment was proposed during meetings between Sailun and the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) and would supply the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the wider sub-Saharan African market.

🏭️ The proposed development would include a 20ha manufacturing facility with an estimated 100,000sqm production footprint and would incorporate renewable energy generation.

#Tyres #Manufacturing #SouthAfrica #Transport

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