CTBL-Watch - Issue 4 - April 2014.indd

CTBL-WATCH
AFRICA
ISSUE 4 | APRIL 2014
AGREEMENT SIGNED FOR
TRANS-KALAHARI RAIL LINK
Full Story On Page 12
Uganda’s Logistics Success
07
Nacala Integrated Logistics
Corridor Launched
12
TAZARA To Change
Management Structure
14
CTBL-WATCH
AFRICA
ISSUE 4 | APRIL 2014
Contents
03 /
Corridor Review
05 /
Group News
07 /
Eastern & Southern Africa
15 /
Western Africa
1
The African Inland Freight Report
Brought to you by CMA CGM / DELMAS Marketing
Website: www.delmas.com
Email: lhv.marketing@delmas.net
Tweet: @DelmasWeDeliver
Rachel Bennett
Dominic Rawle
Agreement Signed For
Trans-Kalahari Rail Link
12
Uganda’s Logistics
Success
07
Nacala Integrated
Logistics Corridor
Launched
12
TAZARA To Change
Management Structure
14
CMA CGM Marseille Head Office
4, Quai d’Arenc 13235 Marseille cedex 02 France
Tel : +33 (0)4 88 91 90 00
www.cmacgm.com
Disclaimer of Liability
CMA CGM / DELMAS make every effort to provide and maintain usable,
and timely information in this report. No responsibility is accepted for
the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to the user’s purpose, of
the information. Accordingly Delmas denies any liability for any direct,
indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a
result of relying on any published information. Conclusions drawn from,
or actions undertaken on the basis of, such data and information are the
sole responsibility of the reader.
2
CTBL AFRICA
CORRIDOR REVIEW
Eastern & Southern Africa
3
Corridor
Current Situation
1
●
Kenya-Great Lakes/S. Sudan
DELMAS offers extensive CTBL services throughout Kenya. DELMAS service
to Juba, South Sudan, has reopened.
2
●
Tanzania-Great Lakes
Roads to Zambia, Rwanda and Burundi are in good condition. A new opened
corridor to Uganda via Mutukula is running well.
3
●
Tanzania-Copper Belt
Roads through Mbeya offer a good alternative to the train to Ndola. The service
into DRC has been affected by social problems at the border. The border post
between Zambia and DRC has been closed for a few days. However traffic
is back to normal but with delays expected from backlog. The situation could
degenerate at any time. The Group is the only shipping line to have its own
office in Lubumbashi and thanks to a newly appointed Branch Manager and
staff we closely monitor the local situation.
4
●
Mozambique Nacala Corridor
A bond agreement with a local bank has opened up the Nacala rail corridor
to Lilongwe and Blantyre. Due to bad rail service, congestion and wagon
shortage our CTBL service to Malawi via Nacala is suspended until further
notice. Please use Beira corridor. The Group offers an alternative via DAR ES
SALAAM corridor to Malawi offering excellent transit time.
5
●
Mozambique Beira Corridor
A bond agreement with customs is in place and we have our own broker at
our agency office to shorten clearance time and trucking. We do offer efficient
intermodal solutions under CTBL from Beira to Malawi an alternative to the
closed Nacala corridor.
6
●
Mozambique Maputo Corridor
Running well. We are using our transporters bond at a fee of US$25/ container.
The Maputo corridor is 100% dedicated to Harare by rail with transits
depending on wagon availability.
7
●
S. Africa Durban – Copper Belt
Heavy congestion on the rail in South Africa. Customers booking inland
routes via Durban are recommended to use the road option ‘v’ rail to Harare /
Johannesburg / Gaborone / Maseru.
8
●
Namibia Walvis Bay – Copper Belt
The transport corridor from Walvis-Bay to Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola & Lubumbashi
in south DRC are running well.
Western Africa
Corridor
Current Situation
Senegal-Mali
Good transit times at present.
Senegal-Guinea Bissau
Service is running well.
Guinea-Mali
Service suspended due to lack of reliable local service.
4
●
●
●
●
Cote d’Ivoire-Burkina/Mali
Due to the present difficulties in the evacuation of containers by rail via the Abidjan
corridor, we recommend the road option for your shipments to Ouagadougou.
5
●
Ghana-Burkina
Tema-Ouagadougou service is now available as an additional option. The Tema
corridor to Burkina is now the most competitive pricewise, with excellent transit
time from Asia with AFEX service.
6
●
●
●
Togo-Burkina/Niger
Service is running well.
Benin-Burkina/Niger
Operating well.
Cameroon-Chad
There is a lack of trucks in Douala therefore CTBL transport by road to Chad is
not recommended. At present cargo for Chad is better to go by rail and road from
N’goundere as that is faster than the all road route.
●
●
●
●
Cameroon-CAR
Douala-Bangui is SUSPENDED due to the political deterioration in CAR.
Gabon Corridor
Service is currently closed.
Congo Corridor
Brazzaville is currently suspended.
DRC Corridor
Matadi-Kinshasa service running well with transits of 9 days.
1
2
3
7
8
9
10
11
12
4
CMA CGM / DELMAS
AFRICAN GROUP NEWS
African Inland Haulage: Total Transport Solutions
The CMA CGM Group is one of the biggest transport and logistics operators in Africa. The Group is
present in all main African ports offering a large range of direct calls throughout East, South and West
Africa. The CMA CGM / DELMAS activity also extends inland with intermodal solutions offering ‘door-todoor’ services to its clients as an efficient means of extending the scope of a company’s operations.
Focusing on our African specialism we have extensive experience of on-carriage throughout Africa, providing through transport
services to and from the land-locked countries of Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic [CAR], Chad, Democratic Republic
of Congo [DRC], Guinea Bissau, Mali and Niger, Southern Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, Zambia and
Zimbabwe.
Our specialist intermodal department consolidates the Group’s inland infrastructure and logistics activities across the African
continent. Inland haulage includes transportation from vendors to the port of shipment, and from discharge port to the point of
stripping the ocean container by truck and / or rail.
Using a single document, the Combined Transport Bill of Lading [CTBL/BLD], we take full responsibility for the safe shipment of
cargo whether it has to move by road, rail, or waterway, no matter how many different stages the cargo must go through before
reaching its final destination. CMA CGM / DELMAS will arrange all your shipping, trucking, and transit formalities giving you the
confidence to entrust your cargo to a single experienced organisation. By controlling every link in the transport chain and tracking
every consignment, we ensure your cargo is delivered safely and securely.
Intermodal Africa Key Figures
20 Transport
Corridors
16 Access Ports
30,000 TEU in 2013
95% Service Level
53% Ecological
Rail Mode
110 Inland Network
Destinations
“
Africa is a land of new intermodal opportunities
and domestic transport is a key element of
market differentiation. It is in this context that the
Group has implemented these new corridors to
accompany the Group’s lines. We will increase the
number of corridors soon to meet the demands of
our customers and thus deliver cargo to the heart
of the African continent.
”
Claude Lebel, Senior Vice President CMA CGM Logistics, Greenmodal
5
CTBL Enquiries
For booking and all-in rate enquiries please contact your usual CMA CGM /
DELMAS agent. For further service details view our Intermodal Services Africa
website [https://www.delmas.com/products-services/our-services/ctbl] or
scanning the QR code:
Investment & Routings
The Group has opted for a presence in Africa for many years and is making major advancements. Over recent years CMA
CGM has heavily invested in a string of inland depots and Group owned agencies. Over the last 2-years we have opened
new offices in Central Africa in Niamey, Niger; Bamako, Mali; Bobo Dioulasso and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; as well as
expanding our ever growing network of offices in East Africa around the ‘Great Lakes Region’ such as in Kigali, Rwanda.
CMA CGM / DELMAS has also placed great focus on the provision of services to ‘The Copper Belt’ - the copper mining
area of Central Africa which runs in Zambia [Copperbelt Province] and DRC [Katanga Province] around the towns of Ndola,
Kitwe, Chingola, Luanshya and Mufulira. Here the Group has opened several operational and commercial offices to take
care of customers’ needs within this region launching agencies in Lubumbashi, Eastern DRC; Lusaka, Zambia and Harare,
Zimbabwe. In order to satisfy the mining industry needs, CMA CGM / DELMAS opened a new corridor to not only reach
Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola but also Lubumbashi in south DRC from Walvis-Bay. Our Intermodal service now offers 3-main
corridors Dar Es Salaam, Beira and Walvis-Bay. These services provide flexibility of routings to avoid congestion and
maximise transit times. Furthermore a permanent sales executive is based in Ndola to offer import and export solutions in
the region.
We have listen to our customers’ needs and aim to develop new projects and services. In Q4 2013 we are opened 14 new
domestic destinations in Kenya as well as 10 new corridor products to/from South Sudan and Uganda. Additionally a new
export service was launched from Bujumbura, Burundi and Lubumbashi, DRC to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Focusing on growing our reefer options for CTBL, we launched a new innovative reefer container service to/from Bamako
depot in Mali via the port of Dakar, Senegal as well as new service between Mombasa, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda. A
reefer service to Lubumbashi, DRC and Kigali, Rwanda has also been opened
In West Africa we have continuously strived to open up new routes such as the route to Franceville, one of the four largest
cities Gabon from the port of Libreville. Franceville lies on the River Mpassa and at the end of the Trans-Gabon Railway and
the main N3 road. And a new door service in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso is performed by our local agents after the arrival
of cargo at the Ouagadougou rail terminal. Ouagadougou is the capital and economic center of the nation whose primary
industries are food processing and textiles.
We also expanded our facilities in Dakar, Senegal, with the addition of TCD2 a dedicated multi-activity 15,000m² logistic
platform launched in mid February 2014. Along with the current TCD1 platform which already offers a surface of 12,000m2
each platform will provides bonded storage facilities, stuffing facilities for export cargo base commodities/ores as well as
reefer cargo containerized under bonded storage [64 plugs]. There is also a CMA CGM / DELMAS administrative building on
site and a Customs Office located in the port precinct to ease services.
CMA CGM / DELMAS also continues to strengthen activities in East Africa. We opened a route to Juba, South Sudan offered
on CTBL basis for the first time via Mombasa, Kenya and also launched a complementary road service between Mombasa
and Nairobi with the 450km route passes through the main cities of Voi, Tsavo and Kibwezi. CMA CGM / DELMAS decided
to offer a road solution traversing the A109 also known as the Mombasa road as an alternative to our existing rail services.
The Group Extends Its Inland Network In Mozambique
As part of its development plan in Africa and to better meet
its customers’ needs, the Group now offers new inland
destinations in Mozambique including major consumer
centers with city limits deliveries:
- 24hr delivery by road transport for all inland destinations
- Inland destinations with city limits at Beira, Maputo,
Nacala, Quelimane
- Central Mozambique: Chimoio and Tete via Beira
- Southern Mozambique: Matola and Inhambane via
Maputo
6
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
CORRIDOR NEWS
Burundi
ECTN
Please note new Electronic Cargo Tracking Note [ECTN] regulations are to be enforced in Burundi. According to Burundi
customs official’s ECTN will be in place from May as per information from customs officials:
-
ECTN is issued at origin and it is compulsory
ECTN is checked before cargo reaches Burundi borders
If cargo is sent to Burundi without a ECTN the Consignee is liable to cover penalties
Penalties range between $10,000 and $50,000
Official document from OBR regarding ECTN will be issued and circulated shortly
Taxe de Surete / Security Charges has already been implemented for all imports @ 1.15 % of the commercial value
Tanzania
Holili One-Stop-Border-Post to Take Off Soon
TA One-Stop-Border-Post [OSBP] between Tanzania and Kenya at the Holili and Taveta border posts are now ready to take
off once President Jakaya Kikwete and his counterpart, Uhuru Kenyatta sign a bilateral agreement for that effect. A US$5.7
million donor funded facility at the Holili border post in Kilimanjaro Region complete with state-of-the art facilities was ready
since December, last year. Another US$6.7 million infrastructure at the Taveta border post on the Kenyan side is on the final
touches. Trademark East Africa is providing funding and technical support to facilitate implementation of the integrated border
management systems. The idea is to improve efficiency by reducing the total average time it takes to clear cargo by 30%
which will contribute to reducing transport costs and increase intra-regional and foreign trade in East Africa. The East African
Community [EAC] is developing one stop posts at 15 border crossings in the 5-partner states to facilitate trade and integration in
the region.
[Daily News 27/04/14]
Uganda
Uganda’s Logistics Success
Uganda has the 3rd best logistical environment for facilitating trade in Africa, a new World Bank report has shown. The report,
titled, ‘Connecting to Compete 2014: Trade Logistics in the Global Economy,’ was launched in New York on March 20. It ranks
160 countries on a number of dimensions of that facilitate trade - including customs performance, infrastructure quality, and
timeliness of shipments - that have increasingly been recognized as important to economic development.
The data was compiled by the World Bank Group’s International Trade Unit from a survey of more than
1,000 logistics professionals to produce the Logistics Performance Index [LPI] about every 2-years since
2007. Respondents services include warehousing and distribution, customer-tailored logistics solutions,
courier services, bulk or break bulk cargo transport, and less-thankfully container, full-container, or fulltrailer load transport. Now in its 4th edition, the LPI measures the on-the ground efficiency of trade
supply chains, or logistics performance. When the LPI results across four editions [2007, 2010, 2012,
and 2014] were aggregated, Uganda emerged 69th among 166 countries. Scores in the 2014 LPI were
given a weight 53.3%, followed by 26.7% for 2012, 13.3% for 2010, and 6.7% for 2007. This enabled the
comparison of 166 countries.
LPI Rankings
Uganda
69
Kenya
89
Rwanda
119
Tanzania
125
Burundi
154
Customers are reaping the fruits of the ‘Customs Modernisation Project’, which has been running since 2005. Phase I of
the project ended in 2010 but the tax body launched another phase dubbed the ‘Customs Enhancement Project’ under the
Managing Compliance Programme. This saw the launch of ASCUDA World, a versatile and web-based customs management
system, as a replacement for the ASCUDA+++. This enables agents to clear their goods and make declarations online and
enables them to track their goods without having to come to URA offices. The programme has been rolled out at the various
border posts countrywide. Additionally, URA is implementing the Authorised Economic Operator [AEO], under which agents and
logistics companies are certified so that they can get preferential treatment.
[The Independent 06/04/14]
7
Importers Informed About Cargo In Mombasa
Importers will get first-hand information about their containerized cargo at
Mombasa thanks to the good relations between Uganda and Kenya. In a new
procedure expected to ease business, Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] will provide
a list of containers destined to Uganda each month. Whenever KPA provides the
list, the Uganda Revenue Authority [URA] will upload it on its portal - http://ura.
go.ug. [Appears within notifications / public notices - Uganda-Bound Containers
in Mombasa. This is further subdivided into container inventory and notice for the
containers.]
The container inventory shows the container number, date and time of arrival
at Mombasa, consignee and duration at the port. Clients no longer have to rely
on agents thousands of miles away for information regarding their cargo. The
information is expected to help importers avoid storage charges resulting from
containers that have overstayed at Mombasa.
[The Observer 03/04/14]
Kampala-Juba-Addis Ababa-Djibouti Corridor
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development [IGAD] has received a grant of
US$3.7 million from the African Development Bank-NEPAD Infrastructure Project
Preparation Facility [NEPAD-IPPF] to finance the Transport Facilitation and Road
Upgrading Studies of the Kampala-Juba-Addis Ababa-Djibouti Corridor.
The objectives of the project is to determine the technical feasibility and economic
viability, and to undertake detailed engineering designs for the missing road link of
the corridor, the Kapoeta-Raad Road in South Sudan, and the One Stop Border
Posts [OSBPs] at the Djibouti-Ethiopian and Ethiopian-South Sudan borders.
Further, it has a trade and transport facilitation component to look into the intraregional trade and transport policies and regulatory regimes including operational
procedures governing cross border trade in goods, services and movement of
persons across border of the corridor countries.
[AfDB 19/03/14]
Road Study
Economic feasibility and preliminary engineering design
/ Environment and socio-impact assessment / Detailed
engineering design / Preparation of tender documents
Trade &
Transport
Facilitation
Study
Soft infrastructure issues / One Stop Border Posts
[OSBPs] studies-feasibility study, architectural and detailed
engineering designs, and preparation of tender documents.
Project
Management
Technical assistance the project management in project
coordination to IGAD / Transport engineering to the Ministry
of Transport, roads and bridges, South Sudan.
Zambia
OSBP Construction Project
A bid has been submitted for the construction of a One-Stop Border [OSBP]
facility between Zambia and Botswana. The governments of Zambia and
Botswana are looking to progress trade facilitation between the 2- countries,
which is now being taken forward with the construction of a one-stop border
facility financed through an aid fund. The deadline is 21/05/2014.
[UKTI 20/03/14]
8
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
INLAND CONTAINER DEPOTS
Tanzania
Coast Region To Construct Dry Port At Soga Village
Plans are underway to build a dry port in Coast region to ease congestions on the roads and at Dar
es Salaam harbour. The Black IVY Group, based in Washington, USA, recently held talks with the
regional authorities. Soga village in Kibaha district, has been chosen for the project located near the
TAZARA and Central line Railways to simplify transportation activities. Black IVY Group will send an
architectural engineer for feasibility study for the project next month. All other formalities are expected
to be accomplished in June 2014.
[Daily News 28/03/14]
9
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
ROADS
Kenya
World Bank Approves Sh17b For Key Kenyan Roads
The World Bank has approved Sh17 billion funding for the development of several key roads in the country. The funds will go towards
upgrading of northern and western road corridors. Among the roads to benefit include, the Athi River-Machakos turnoff, Bachuma
Gate-Maji ya Chumvi sections and Kisumu-Kakamega-Webuye-Kitale road sections. Construction of interchanges at 3-major junctions
along Nakuru-Nyahururu, Nakuru-Njoro and Mau Summit-Kericho roads will also benefit from the funds.
[Capital FM 29/03/14]
Lesseru-Nadapal Road Developments
The 600-km Lesseru-Kitale-Lodwar-Lokichoggio-Nadapal road project has detailed engineering designs and environmental and social
impact assessments completed and preparation of tender documents for the first section of the project is due. The project is divided
into 3-sections: Lesseru-Marich Pass, Marich Pass-Lodwar and Lodwar-Nadapal. The road is an important and strategic corridor link
with South Sudan and is part of the LAPSSET project. It will be a great economic boost to the northern Kenya region, due to the recent
vast oil discoveries in the Turkana.
[Capital FM 29/03/14]
Tanzania
Premier Calls For Checkpoint Reduction
On Major Highways
Prime Minister, Mizengo Pinda has directed the Tanzania Revenue
Authority [TRA], Tanzania Road Agency [TANROADS] and the Police
Force to address the issue of the high number check points along the
Morogoro Highway.
During the Annual General Meeting [AGM] organised by the Tanzania
Truck Owners Association [TATOA] he noted government is aware of
the problem, adding that it was high time the headache was solved
to facilitate the smooth transportation of goods. The move is crucial
as TRA reported a massive growth in transportation with more than
63,500 trucks and 37,900 buses licensed to operate in 2013.
[Daily News 30/03/14]
TATOA Appeal For Regulatory Changes
The Tanzania Truck Owners Association [TATOA] appealed to
government to review transportation rules and regulations, as the
sector is set to take full advantages of oil and gas exploration which
require more sophisticated and special purpose trucks.
New traffic regulations should be in place to accommodate these
anticipated changes. TATOA also requested a review of the regulations
that require transit goods, particularly oil to reach their destinations
within 30 days this is often seen as almost impossible due to the
numerous road blocks. TATOA suggested an adjustment to at least 60
days. TATOA announced that it will introduce a data bank of drivers
to make sure qualified truck drivers are allowed to drive to reduce
incidents of sabotages and theft.
[Daily News 30/03/14]
10
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
ROADS
Zambia
RDA, BSBK Ink Road Deal
The Road Development Agency [RDA] has signed a contract with BSBK Limited to upgrade 113km of Samfya-Kasaba -Lubwe road
at a cost of K439,062,226 million. The works will enhance activities in Luapula Province as it will pass along Lake Bangweulu from the
south to the north. The contractor will commence works within 3-months from signing the contract. The upgrading will enhance the
smooth passage of goods from Samfya through Lubwe to Kasaba.
[Times 28/03/14]
Link Zambia Road Project
The Road Development Agency [RDA] has received road designs under the Link-Zambia road project as well as submissions for the
preliminary reports for reviewing. The agency received designs for the Chingola-Solwezi Road and the Lusaka and Kapiri dual carriage
way, widening of the road between Serenje and Nakonde and Chingola-Kasumbalesa, among others. The RDA will begin inviting
contractors once resources were available.
[Times 28/03/14]
Zambia / Zimbabwe / Botswana
Zimbabwe Could Block Botswana, Zambia From Constructing Bridge
Zimbabwe could block neighbouring Botswana and Zambia from constructing the Kasane Bridge on the Zambezi River linking the
2-countries amid fears the nation stood to lose out on much-needed revenue as commercial traffic would by-pass the country. It
is feared that once complete, traffic would by-pass the Beitbridge Border Post, resulting in Zimbabwe losing revenue it currently
generates from tollgates and at the border post. Botswana and Zambia were reportedly building a new link called Kasane Bridge.
In 2012, Zambia and Botswana invited bids for the construction of the bridge and the project was said to be financed partly through
an US$80 million loan secured from the African Development Bank [AfDB]. The Botswana government was to meet part of the costs
while the Japan International Co-operation Agency was expected to come on board. According to the project, the bridge is expected
to enhance transportation of goods along the regional North-South Corridor that links the 2-mineral-rich countries, Zambia and the
Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC], to the port of Durban in South Africa.
[News Day 04/04/14]
11
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
RAIL
Mozambique
Nacala Integrated Logistics Corridor Launched
The first trainloads of coal along a railway from the Moatize coal basin through Malawi should reach the new port of Nacala-a-Velha in
northern Mozambique in September. The government has signed a concession on the new port and on coal traffic along the railway
with the Integrated Nacala Logistics Corridor [CLN], a consortium that is 80% owned by the Brazilian mining giant Vale, and 20% by
Mozambique’s publicly owned port and rail company, CFM.
At a Maputo ceremony launching CLN, consortium officials said the entire project is costing US$4.4 billion. The coal terminal at Nacalaa-Velha, built on the opposite side of Nacala Bay from the existing port of Nacala, will be able to export 18 million tons of coal a year.
The railway runs for over 900km, and CLN’s projections are for about 20 coal trains a day. This will require a fleet of 100 locomotives
and 2,700 wagons. 12 ships a month are expected to call at the coal terminal. Vale opted for a new port and railway when it became
clear that the existing Sena line, from Moatize to the port of Beira, could not possibly cope with the forecast coal exports. Even with
planned upgrading, the capacity of the Sena line is no more than 12 million tonnes a year. But within the next few years the potential
coal exports from the Moatize basin could reach 100 million tonnes a year.
Work on the railway will be complete by September. It has involved a new rail link to connect Moatize to the Malawian rail system, and
major upgrading to the Malawian part of the line. The railway enters Mozambique again at Entre-Lagos, and the 77km stretch between
Entre-Lagos and the city of Cuamba is being effectively rebuilt. There is also an entirely new stretch of line branching off the existing rail
corridor and reaching the Nacala-a-Velha coal terminal.
The Transport Minister Gabriel Muthisse noted that the existing railway from Malawi to Nacala currently handles 2-million tonnes of
cargo a year. With the new port at Nacala-a-Velha and the CLN investments in the railway, levels expect to increase to 24 million tonnes
of coal and cargo. Another consortium, the Northern Development Corridor [CDN] already holds the concession on the railway for
general traffic.
[AIM 15/03/14]
Namibia / Botswana
Agreement Signed For Trans-Kalahari Rail Link
Namibia has signed an agreement with Botswana to develop
the 1,500km Trans-Kalahari Corridor rail link which will connect
Botswana to Namibia’s Atlantic port of Walvis Bay thus unlocking
the value of coal mining in Botswana and power generation in
the region. [The railway line mirrors the existing Trans-Kalahari
Highway or corridor, which links Botswana to the port of Walvis
Bay, but stretches 1,900km from Walvis Bay, through Windhoek,
Gaborone in Botswana and Johannesburg to Pretoria in South
Africa.]
The just signed Trans-Kalahari railway agreement includes adding
a railway line, a coal terminal and associated loading facilities to
the Namibia-Botswana corridor which will benefit other landlocked
Southern African Development Community [SADC] countries
like Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe by providing alternative
transportation routes. The agreement aims to boost trade in
Botswana and turn the country into a regional trade hub by
unlocking the value of coal from Botswana for power generation.
A signing ceremony was held on 19th March.
Construction of the project is expected to cost N$100 billion
[US$9.2 billion] and is expected to stretch over the 2014-2019 period. Financing will be sourced through private stakeholders. The
Trans-Kalahari Corridor comprises a tarred road linking the Port of Walvis Bay with Botswana, and is supported by a railway line from
the Port of Walvis Bay to Gobabis. This railway line runs through Windhoek, where transhipment facilities are available, and continues to
Lobatse in Botswana.
[Bernama 24/03/14]
12
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
RAIL
South Africa / Botswana
Construction Of Coal Rail Link For 2015
Transnet Freight Rail [TFR] noted construction of the coal rail link between Botswana and South Africa will start next year, enabling
junior coal miners to access markets. The South African State-owned transport and logistics company is undertaking the project as
part of a R300-billion investment programme intended to expand rail, port and pipelines infrastructure to improve trade between South
Africa and international markets. Feasibility studies will be completed by the end of this year and spade work would follow immediately.
TFR has allocated R40-billion for the construction of the 105-km heavy haul-line, aimed at transporting coal from Botswana to South
Africa for shipment to international markets. Between 40-80-million tons would be transported on the line. TFR is planning to develop
the Richards Bay Coal Terminal to support the volumes from Botswana and the Waterberg coalfield, in South Africa.
[Mining Weekly 04/4/14]
Tanzania
Government Seeks Funds To Boost Central Rail Capacity
Talks are taking place between Tanzania and 3-United Kingdom banks [Deutsche Bank, CITI Bank and Goldman Sachs International]
to finance the construction of a standard gauge for the Central Railway Line from Dar es Salaam to the western end of Tanzania.
Funds will be offered on favourable terms, in the form of investments without government guarantee and released this year so that
construction can begin. The Central Railway hauls only 200,000 tonnes of goods from Dar es Salaam Port that handles 13 million
tonnes per year. Too much cargo is being transported using lorries hence moves to improve the railway system to save the roads
especially as capacity of Dar es Salaam Port will increase to 26 million tonnes.
[Guardian 04/04/14]
Dar Mulls Large-Scale Railway Development
The plans, placed under the Big Result Now [BRN] initiative to fast track implementation is estimated to require over 1.138 tri/[US$711.5 million], according to the Tanzania Railway Limited [TRL] business plan. The plan includes improvement of TRL rolling stock
through purchases of new powerful locomotives and re-manufacturing of old ones at a Morogoro factory. It also includes purchases
of new wagons, coaches and other operating equipment. Financing implementation of the plan is projected to be obtained from
government, development partners, development financing institutions, commercial banks and the private investors who will enter into
mutually beneficial Public Private Partnership [PPP] arrangements. Tanzania’s government has also lined 2-railways to be constructed
from 2015. A 65-km Bagamoyo railway to link the Bagamoyo port, in Coast Region which is planned to be developed with TAZARA
railway and the central railway. The planned construction of the Bagamoyo railway is part of the Bagamoyo port development plan
estimated to cost about US$10 billion. The work slated to begin next year is under Chinese government financial support.
The government also plans to construct an 860km - railway from Mtwara to Mbamba-Bay with spurs to the mineral-rich district of
Ludewa - particularly Mchuchuma and Liganga. The construction of the rail line is estimated to cost about 2.4 tri/- The Mchuchuma
mine has an estimated 540 million tonnes of coal deposits while iron ore deposits at Liganga are estimated at 45 million tons.
[Tanzania Daily News 25/03/14]
Flooding Impacts Railway
The Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) has suspended services of freight locomotives from Dar es Salam to upcountry
for 7-days [8-15th April], after rail lines were washed away by floods along the Kurasini-Yombo area near the port of Dar es Salaam.
It is estimated that 3% of the total cargo offloaded at the Dar es Salaam Port is transported by Tazara railway line. TAZARA is a key
transporter of cargo, mostly copper and other minerals from the Zambia mines to Dar es Salaam for export to overseas markets.
Congestion and backlogs expected.
[Daily News 14/04/14]
Tazara To Acquire 4-Locomotives
The Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority [TAZARA] will in December acquire 4-more new locomotives bringing the number of new
engines to 10 after acquiring the other 6-in December 2013.
[Daily News 14/04/14]
13
TAZARA To Change Management Structure
Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority’s [TAZARA] shareholders are finalising talks on the new
modality of running the 4-decade-old railway. Talks are at advanced stage that would see
the current TAZARA management overhauled to make the Authority operate smoothly.
Under the current agreement, the managing director of the Authority must come from
Zambian sides; a setup which Tanzania thinks is part of the problem that the railway is
facing. It has been suggested that TAZARA should be run by 2-companies, one in Tanzania
and the other in the Zambia with China as a shareholder on both sides of the line.
The talks also centred on recapitalising TAZARA, which runs 1,870km from Dar es Salaam to
Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia. In 2013 TAZARA’s Board of Directors approved a 5-year strategic
plan with an indicative budget outlay of US$211.0 million from which US$177.0 million
will be applied on capacity. At least 15% of investment funds are expected to be sourced
through strategic partnerships.
The plan envisages a wide traffic growth path from the annual tonnage of 480,000 tonnes in 2013, gradually rising up to 1.5 million
tonnes by 2018. Due to many years of insufficient recapitalisation, TAZARA was suffering from serious capacity constraints, which
made it difficult to develop business to sustainable levels despite the abundant availability of large volumes of imports, exports as well
as local traffic throughout the year.
Zambia
Chingola-Jimbe Railway In Offing
Plans to construct the Chingola-Jimbe railway line have reached an advanced stage with works expected to start this year. Feasibility
studies have been concluded and works are expected to be done within 18 months, provided the availability of a yet to be disclosed
capital requirement. The line from Chingola to Jimbe would connect to a similar facility from Jimbe to Luanda, thereby enhancing the
movement of goods between Zambia and Angola. The Government of Angola has constructed a 1,000km railway from Luanda to
Jimbe and Zambia would ensure that the same is done from Chingola to Jimbe. The Government is also to conclude discussions with
North-West Rail Company [NWR] over the North-Western Railway project. [Times of Zambia 31/03/14]
ERTMS Regional Contract
A consortium of Bombardier Transportation, Huawei and local company GMC Technologies has been awarded a US$51m contract to
deploy ERTMS Regional on Zambia Railway Ltd’s 980km Chingola-Livingstone line. The route is being upgraded and double-tracked
using government funding allocated last year. Pioneered in Sweden, ERTMS Regional uses onboard and trackside elements of ETCS
with GSM-R and computer-based interlockings to provide a cost-effective train control and automatic train protection system for lowdensity lines. Bombardier is to supply its Interflo 550 signalling and train protection technology, with Huawei responsible for GSM-R.
ZRL has awarded 32 local companies contracts for infrastructure modernisation to increase speeds on 500km of the route to 80 km/h.
[Railway Gazette 19/03/14]
Zimbabwe
NRZ Courts SA Companies To Construct Chiredzi-Mutare Line
The National Railways of Zimbabwe [NRZ] is courting South African companies to fund the construction of a proposed Chiredzi-Mutare
railway line to provide a cheaper and direct link between South Africa and Beira in Mozambique. Currently, rail traffic from South Africa
to Mozambique’s northern parts comes through Beitbridge to Harare before heading to Mutare, a distance of more than 1,000 km.
The project whose cost was not given, will link traffic from Beitbridge to Rutenga then to Chiredzi and subsequently Mutare, cutting the
distance by more than half. The struggling parastatal has dispatched the proposal to different companies in Africa.
Primarily, the railway line will transport agricultural produce from the Lowveld to the eastern border town and Mozambique. The Lowveld
is home to the country’s largest sugar estates and milling companies who could benefit from the railway link. NRZ has tabled a number
of ambitious proposals, among them the Harare-Chitungwiza urban commercial railway system estimated to cost about US$440 million
dollars and the Kadoma-Sengwa link.
[News Day 20/03/14]
14
WESTERN AFRICA
CORRIDOR NEWS
Service Suspended
Bangui, Central African Republic
The situation in Central African Republic has deteriorated. As such, the service to/from Bangui,
Central African Republic, is suspended until further notice.
15
WESTERN AFRICA
ROAD
Algeria / Niger / Chad
Trans-Saharan Road [RTS] Project
Niger has received funding from the African Development Fund [ADF] to cover part of the
cost of the Nigerian project component of the Trans-Saharan Highway [RTS], and intends to
use part of the funding allocated under this loan contract to finance the feasibility study of the
project of the Trans-Saharan Road [SDR].
[AfDB 19/03/14]
Cameroon / Congo
Brazzaville-Yaoundé Transport Corridor /
Development Of Ketta-Djoum Road
Cameroon and the Congo have received money from the African Development Fund to
cover the cost of the proposed Ketta-Djoum road and transport facilitation of the BrazzavilleYaoundé corridor. Part of the funds will be used to form a committee and develop an initial
3-year programme of activities. ECCAS, the enforcement body designated by Cameroon and
Congo invites consultants to mobilize a team.
[AfDB 07/04/14]
16
WESTERN AFRICA
ROAD
Gambia
Government Secures Funds for Laminkoto-Passimas Project
Gambia has signed a loan agreement with the Kuwaiti Fund for US$30 million for the construction of Laminkoto-Passimas road as well
as a US$35 million pledge by the Islamic Development Bank [IDB]. The Saudi Fund has approved US$20 million, whilst the OPEC Fund
and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa [BADEA] have both made pledges to fund the project. The construction of this
stretch in the northern bank is part of the government’s drive to enhance transport infrastructure.
Furthermore the Mandinaba-Soma highway has recently been completed except for pavement works and sealing of shoulders. And
the Brikama-Marakisasa-Darsilami-Dimbaya Loop Road Project is progressing satisfactorily with 97% being complete. And the BasseVelligara road project, which starts in Basse and runs to the south border, is 79% completed and would hopefully be finished this year.
[Daily Observer 04/04/14]
Liberia
Gbargna-Zorzor Road Near Completion
A 104km stretch of road between Gbarnga, Bong County and Zorzor District, Lofa County is near completion. The US$4 million
contract awarded to a Liberian-owned firm, Westwood Corporation Construction Company, said the project will be completed by end
of May.
[New Dawn 04/04/14]
Nigeria
The Second Niger Bridge
President Goodluck Jonathan recently performed the ground-breaking for the 1590-m 2nd Niger Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State.
The project, coming 49 years after the first Niger Bridge, will be executed through Public Private Partnership [PPP] arrangement for
a concession period of 25 years through design, build, operate and transfer model. The project will be handled by Julius Berger with
support from the Sovereign Investment Authority [NSIA] Consortium, for a period of 4-years. The government will contribute 25% of the
construction cost of the entire project put at N117 billion.
[This Day 03/04/14]
Senegal
Rehabilitation Of The Dinguiraye-Nioro-Keur-Ayib Road
Senegal has called for tenders for the execution of the rehabilitation work of the Nioro-Keur Ayib Road. The road is part of the national
road #4 which crosses Senegal from the North to the South passing through Gambia. A strategic route in the groundnut basin and an
important focus for the collection and disposal of agricultural products to major markets. This segment is currently the only section in
poor condition. Its development will facilitate exchanges with neighbouring countries such as, Guinea Conakry and Gambia and Guinea
Bissau on the one hand and to improve traffic and safety conditions for the liaison with the natural region of Casamance.
[AfDB 07/04/14]
Cu2a / Euro-Africa Corridor Rehabilitation
A technical study is ongoing for the rehabilitation of the Tambacounda-Navel [247km] located on national road #7, an interconnection
between the Cu2a corridor linking Dakar to Bamako and the Euro-Africa corridor [Dakar-Saint Louis-Rosso-Tangier-Madrid]. The
rehabilitation will allow economic development and ensure interconnection between the Cu2a and the Euro-Africa.
[AfDB 07/04/14]
17
WESTERN AFRICA
RAIL
Angola / Namibia
Railways Connection Increases Trade
An envisaged rail connection between Angola and Namibia would significatively increase the commercial exchanges and develop the
2-countries. According to the Namibian ambassador to Angola, Cláudia Grace Uushona, during the opening of the Angola and Namibia
forum, the connection will start from the eastern Cuando Cubango province [Angola] until Okavango [Namibia], through Moçâmedes
Railway Company [CFM], with construction works underway.
[Angola Press 21/03/14]
Cote d’Ivoire
French, Korean Consortium To Build US$1.4 Billion Abidjan Rail Line
Ivory Coast has signed an initial agreement with a consortium including France’s Bouygues and South Korea’s Hyundai and Dongsan
Engineering to build a €1-billion [US$1.4-billion] urban rail line in Abidjan. The proposed project would involve construction of a
37km rail line from Abidjan’s international airport in the south of the city, through the city centre to its northern suburbs. The line
would transport an estimated 300,000 passengers a day, alleviating the traffic jams that currently plague the city of around 5-million
inhabitants.
DTP Terrassement and Bouygues Travaux Publics, both units of French industrial group Bouygues; Hyundai Motor Group subsidiary
Hyundai Rotem; and Dongsan signed the agreement with the government on 11th April. Financing for the project is to come from the
private partners. The consortium members will hold a minimum 40% stake in the rail line’s operating company.
[Reuters 15/04/14]
18