CTBL-Watch - Issue 20 - August 2015.indd

CTBL-WATCH
AFRICA
ISSUE 20 | AUGUST 2015
CMA CGM GROUP EXPANDS CTBL SERVICES
Angola: 14 New Landlocked Destinations (Page 5)
South Africa – Zambia: New Rail Solution For Copperbelt (Page 7)
Kenya – Uganda: New Inland Reefer Service (Page 8)
Central Corridor Poised To
Become Regional Trade Hub
09
Rwanda/Uganda: Mirama Hills
One Stop Border Post Now 24hr
14
Nigeria: Kano To Get Inland
Container Depot
22
CTBL-WATCH
AFRICA
ISSUE 20 | AUGUST 2015
Contents
03 | Corridor Review
05 | African Group News
CMA CGM Group Expanding Into Landlocked Angola – Offering 14 New CTBL Services / CMA CGM - Multiparques Join
Forces In Promoting Angolan Transport / New: Kenya-Uganda Inland Reefer Service / New: South-Africa-Zambia Inland
Rail Solution CMA CGM LOG Launches Website
09 | Eastern & Southern Africa
Regional: Central Corridor Poised To Become Regional Trade Hub / EAC Closer To A Uniform Custom Bond
Ethiopia: Modjo-Moyale Road Corridor / Adama-Awash Extension
Kenya: Treasury Approves Plans To Ease Nairobi Traffic Congestion
Mozambique: 120th Anniversary Of Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique [CFM] / Work Begins On Rail Bridge
Over Umbeluzi River
Rwanda: Mirama Hills One Stop Border Post [OSBP] Now 24 Hours / DIKKM Railway Seeking Expressions of Interest
South Africa: Transnet Gearing Up To Implement ‘Africa Strategy’ / Beitbridge Border To Be Renovated / Sanral Embarks
On Eastern Cape Road Projects / Cape Town Main Road Construction 50% Complete / Gauteng Government Launches
R295m N14 Highway Upgrade / Sani Pass Road - R840m Needed To Complete ‘Missing Link’ / Construction Of N2 Wild
Coast Toll Road
Sudan: Customs Discusses Border Trade & Establishment Of Free Zones In Kassala State
Uganda: Uganda And DRC Discuss Stopping Border Taxes / Kampala-Kigali Railway Project Delayed As Focus Shifts To
Juba, South Sudan
Zambia: Zambia Prepares For Regional Trade Facilitation / US$243 Million For Tanzania Highway Upgrade / MonguKalabo Road
21 | Western Africa
Cameroon: Batchenga-Ka’a Rail Line Refurbishment
Chad: Road Works To Commence
Ghana: Tema-Paga Road Corridor - Trans Border Checkpoints Spur Complaints / Ghana To Reconstruct The Western
Rail Line
Liberia: China To Build Highway
Nigeria: Kano To Get Inland Container Depot / Nigeria To Rehabilitate East-West Road Section
Senegal: Louis Berger Selected For 3rd Phase Of Highway 6 / Senegal Launches Dakar Airport Rail Link Tender
1
The African Inland Freight Report
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
Brought to you by CMA CGM / DELMAS Marketing
Website: www.delmas.com
Email: lhv.marketing@delmas.net
Tweet: @DelmasWeDeliver
Rachel Bennett
Dominic Rawle
Disclaimer of Liability
CMA CGM / DELMAS make every effort to provide
p
and maintain usable,
p
and timely information in this report. No responsibility
is accepted for
the accuracy, completeness, or relevance to
o the user’s purpose, of
the information. Accordingly Delmas denies any liability for any direct,
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.
Events Diary
Come And Visit Us!
Mozambique: FACIM 2015
Come and visit us at our stand at FACIM 2015 from 31st August to 6th September at the SOGEX Showground, Maputo,
Mozambique. FACIM, Feira Internacional de Maputo, is a multi-sectorial trade fair held in Mozambique organized by the
Institute for the Promotion of Exports [IPEX]. The event is the largest trade show in the country and seeks to facilitate
contact with international exhibitors and stimulate consumption and economic integration across the Mozambique
economy.
IPAD Katanga Mining Week
CMA CGM / DELMAS will be participating in the 6th edition of the IPAD Katanga Mining Week [Driving large scale mining
through innovative technologies on the Copperbelt] at Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] on 20-21st
October. The event will focus on the role of the mining industry in the economic growth of Eastern DRC, one of the main
areas of copper and cobalt production in the world. During the fair, the Group will promote its intermodal logistic solutions
to mining corporations in order to develop outbound volumes from Katanga. CMA CGM / DELMAS offers several corridor
routes including Dar Es Salaam, Durban, Walvis Bay, Beira and Mombasa ports. For further information regarding this event
please view www.ipad-katanga.com
News Briefs
Western Africa
Eastern & Southern Africa
CAPE VERDE
- A new Technical Service Support for Economic Operators
has been set up as a “one-stop shop” for entrepreneurs/
investors covering foreign trade operations, commercial,
licensing and industrial operations.
KENYA
- Kenya/Uganda have finally agreed on the route of a
planned $4.5 billion oil pipeline from Uganda’s Hoima
district through the Lokichar basin in N Kenya to Lamu
port. Tullow Oil Plc / Oil Corp / Total SA / China’s Cnooc
Ltd will all use the pipeline.
COTE D’IVOIRE
- Government have fixed Oct. 25 as the date for a
presidential election.
GHANA
- A 225MW US$525m wind farm in Ghana is to be
constructed in 2016. The project is owned by Ireland
based Mainstream Renewable Power.
MOZAMBIQUE
- IMF projects the economy to grow 7% in 2015 a down
from 7.5% due to flood impact.
NAMIBIA
- North River Resources will, as part of a 2-stage
fundraising programme, seek to raise $4m to progress its
lead/zinc Namib project to a construction decision.
LIBERIA
- Equatorial Palm Oil signed an agreement with the
National Port Authority of Liberia to lease land so it can
build a palm product export facility at Buchanan 24 m
away from its Palm Bay estate.
SOUTH AFRICA
- The European Commission has lifted the 4-year ban on
the export of South African fresh ostrich meat into the
European Union.
NIGERIA
- The EU has banned export from Nigeria items such as
beans, sesame seeds, dried fish, dried meat, peanut
chips and palm oil until the end of June 2016. Mainly due
to pesticide residues.
ZAMBIA
- A US$580m airport construction is to be built in Ndola
replacing the smaller Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe
International Airport. Works to be carried out by Chinese
Avic International.
2
CTBL AFRICA
CORRIDOR REVIEW
Eastern & Southern Africa
1
●
Corridor
Current Situation
Kenya [Mombasa] -Great Lakes /
Uganda / Rwanda / South Sudan
The Kampala-Mombasa rail is running well with an estimated transit of 10
days. We also have a new inland reefer solution on this route. Our first trial has
been a success. Furthermore we can offer extensive CTBL services throughout
Kenya backed by a deal negotiated with Rift Valley Railways [RVR], the
operator of the Kenya-Uganda Railways, we are able to offer very competitive
and reduced rates to the ICD Embakasi, Nairobi from Mombasa port, Kenya.
However due to numerous derailments between Mombasa and ICD Embakasi,
RVR has stopped containers with 10% and more imbalance of cargo - can
proceed with a survey and the rebalance of cargo.
Our ASEA KENYA service provides direct weekly services from Asia to
Mombasa. This enhances our inland solutions to domestic Kenya, Uganda,
Rwanda, South & Sudan. We also offer routes to the North Kivu region in
Eastern DRC and connections via Mombasa to Beni, Butembo and Kisangani,
all on national route N4. A new reefer solution is available from Nairobi to
Mombasa by road.
2
●
Tanzania [Dar Es salaam] - Great
Lakes
With a new improved ASEA TANZANIA service we offer direct weekly service
from Asia to Dar Es Salaam enhancing inland solutions to the heart of DRC,
Burundi, Rwanda. Roads from Dar Es Salaam to North Rwanda and DRC
[Goma / Bukavu / Uvira are in good condition.
Bookings to Bujumbura, Burundi, are available by road via Dar Es Salaam port,
Tanzania in around 22 days. Additional charges may apply as a result of postelection tensions on the account of the shipper.
3
●
Tanzania [Dar Es salaam] - Copper
Belt
Roads through Mbeya offer an alternative to the train to Ndola. We are the
only line to have an owned office in Lubumbashi which closely monitors the
local situation. The corridor from Dar Es Salaam to Lusaka, Copper belt &
Lubumbashi is safe and offers competitive rates and transit times. Our local
agent is working with local hauliers to further improve this. With an improved
ASEA TANZANIA service we offer direct weekly service from Asia to Dar Es
Salaam enhancing inland solutions to Malawi and Zambia.
4
Mozambique Nacala Corridor
The corridor is running well offering excellent transit times and no congestion.
5
●
●
Mozambique Beira Corridor
We offer new competitive rates for 20’ Beira-Harare (Zimbabwe) by road and
by rail. CMA CGM will indemnify clients from further liability should any port
storage incur on the units to be railed.
6
●
Mozambique Maputo Corridor
Competitive solutions are available to Zimbabwe by rail from Maputo-Hwange.
There is no port storage invoiced if shortage of wagons in Maputo.
7
●
S. Africa Durban
New competitive rates available to Lusaka & Copperbelt [Zambia], Lubumbashi
[DRC] and Gaborone [Botswana]. A new containerised rail solution is available
from Kitwe in the Copperbelt region to Durban port in South Africa ideal for the
movement of copper. We already have 20’ container units available in Kitwe
ready for evacuation. We have also extended our South African inland reefer
service from/to the port of Durban to Johannesburg. Extension of all other over
border trucking rates.
8
●
Namibia Walvis Bay
We can offer a routing solution for export CTBL cargo from Zambia to Namibia.
The route along the Trans-Caprivi Corridor links Zambia with the Port of Walvis
Bay via the Katima Mulilo bridge border crossing. Export solutions are available
from DRC and Zambia to Walvis Bay for dry and reefer equipment.
The corridor to Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola & Lubumbashi in south DRC are running
well. We also offer Windhoek!
3
Western Africa
Corridor
Current Situation
1
●
Senegal-Mali
We are only able to accept cargo for Southern Mali destinations. For safety
reasons traffic to Northern Mali [Kignan, Ségou, Mopti, Sevaré, Gao, Kidal,
Menaka, Ansongou, Tessalit, Timbuktu] via Dakar are temporarily suspended.
2
●
Senegal-Guinea Bissau
The corridor remains open but due to the Ebola crisis the border process and
status will be checked on a case by case basis before booking.
3
●
Cote d’Ivoire-Burkina/Mali
The rail service from Abidjan is running well offering excellent transit times and
no congestion. We also recommend the road option. Furthermore the Group has
launched a new reefer service from Abidjan.
4
●
Ghana-Burkina
Tema-Ouagadougou service is now available offering the most competitive corridor
pricewise, with excellent transit time from Asia with AFEX service. Our expert TBL
team is in place for all your booking requests.
5
●
Togo-Burkina/Niger
Service is running well. Thanks to good volumes and on-going negotiations with
suppliers we have decreased our Ouagadougou rates from Lome. We can also
offer excellent solutions from Asia on our AFEX service. Please note that the port of
Lome is strict on enforcing weight regulations for trucks.
6
●
Cameroon-Chad
Rail delays faced as CAMRAIL, the operator, is experiencing congestion in Douala
& N’Gaoundere stations. We suggest cargo is moved via our road TBL service.
7
●
Cameroon-CAR
Douala-Bangui is open on a case by case basis with agreement from our local
Douala Agency. Political security is not 100% on this corridor.
8
●
Gabon Corridor
From Libreville, we serve domestic destinations by road to Franceville, Lambarene,
Mouila, Bitam, Moanda, Mitzicand Makokou.
9
●
●
●
Congo Corridor
Pointe Noire-Brazzaville corridor is REOPENED on a request basis.
DRC Corridor
Matadi-Kinshasa service is slow due to congestion and delays at Pointe Noire.
Angola Corridor
We have opened new landlocked destinations via the 4-main national ports of
Luanda, Lobito, Cabinda and Namibe. We now offer the cities of Malange, Bela
Vista, Catumbela, Benguela, Bahia Farta, Huambo, Lubango, Malongo, Malembo,
Yema, Subantando, Buco Zau, Belize, Necuto and Lubango. All destinations are
served by road on a 1-2 day transit time.
10
11
4
CMA CGM / DELMAS
AFRICAN GROUP NEWS
CMA CGM Group Expanding Into Landlocked Angola –
Offering 14 New CTBL Services
CMA CGM/DELMAS are pleased to offer a brand new intermodal solution serving Angola. We have now opened new landlocked
destinations via the 4-main national ports of access: Luanda, Lobito, Cabinda and Namibe. Our inland connections will now serve
the cities of Malange, Bela Vista, Catumbela, Benguela, Bahia Farta, Huambo, Lubango, Malongo, Malembo, Yema, Subantando,
Buco Zau, Belize and Necuto. All destinations are served by road offered on a 1-2 day transit time. We can also serve the coastal
cities of Luanda, Lobito, Cabinda and Namibe up to city limits.
Intermodal Service Strengths
- Door to door service with flexibility on paying party [FlexCost]
- No demurrage and detention up to final place of delivery
- No container deposit at destination
- Strong team of local and dedicated professionals to manage all operations, follow-up and sales.
We offer 4-regular liner-services [ASAF, Midas, EURAF 5 and SAMWAF] providing onward connection to all worldwide
destinations. We can capitalize on our intermodal expertise, with land infrastructures, ports, terminals and multimodal
investments. Furthermore we have a very strong agency network in Angola, with 122 staff working in 5 offices providing expertise
on the entire transportation chain. For further information, rates and bookings please contact your usual local agent.
Malembo
Buco Zau
Belize
Necuto
Malongo
Subantando
Yema
Cabinda
Bela Vista
Luanda
Malange
Lobito
Benguela
Bahia Farta
Namibe
5
Catumbela
Huambo
Lubango
CMA CGM / Multiparques Join Forces In Promoting
Angolan Transport
Late last year the CMA CGM Group signed an agreement with the Angolan Multiparques Group to develop an integrated logistic
platforms in Lobito, Angola. The MoU was signed on December 18th 2014 in Paris by Multiparques’s General Manager Leonel
Pinto in the presence of the French and Angola Foreign Affairs Ministers, Mr. Laurent Fabius and Mr. George Rebelo Pinto Chicoti.
Multiparques is a key player in Angola’s logistics sector, with its concession to run Luanda’s general cargo port extended to
2045.
“
Lobito is Angola second port, and its location and train transportation
connections make it a strategic entry point in West Africa. This not only
allows Benguela and Huambo – two major Angola cities - service, but also
thanks to the new railroad renovation, to link the city to the Democratic
Republic of Congo and Zambia Copperbelt mining region to the sea. Those
different elements promise the Port of Lobito to a great intermodal future.
”
Alexis Michel, CMA CGM Group Logistics and Reefer Senior Vice President
The new terminal is now operational and will
enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of
the port’s operations. Such private sector
investment will help boost Angola’s trade
expansion and revitalize the sector. The
move will relieve congestion at the port and
also reduce transportation and storage
costs. Concurrent with this development
state-of-the-art tracking technology,
providing a linked and integrated process
offers cargo clearance within 24 hours. The
service even extends to pre-clearance of
imports so that when the cargo arrives, all
that’s needed is a stamp, everything else is
already done electronically.
Lobito Port is to become a focal point having
been modernised and expanded with a
container terminal, an ore terminal and a
fuel terminal. Work carried out by the China
Harbour Engineering Company will see the
port’s current capacity of 3.7 million tons of
cargo per year will be increased to 4.1 million
tons when the Benguela Railway, rebuilt by
China Railway Construction, is working at full
capacity.
The Angolan government’s project has
always involved the reconstruction of the
railway. But now it is expanding to include a
wider set of infrastructure initiatives designed
to support growth and development of areas
of high potential. The corridor project also
includes the Catumbela international airport
with ‘A’ roads and highways to complement.
For example in Luau on the border with the
DRC a new international airport is also under
construction and a container depot and
warehouses are to be built soon.
6
CMA CGM / DELMAS
AFRICAN GROUP NEWS
New: South-Africa-Zambia Inland Rail Solution
A new containerised rail solution is available from Kitwe in the Copperbelt region to Durban port in South
Africa. We already have 20’ container units available in Kitwe ready for evacuation. Kitwe is the second largest
city in terms of size and population in Zambia and is one of the most developed commercial and industrial
areas alongside Ndola and Lusaka. The region has a complex of copper mines on its north-western and
western edges including the Mopani, Mufulira, Nkana copper facilities. Our new service targets the movement
of copper from the hinterland to the port of Durban in just 10 days for export to international markets. Durban
port is served by our MIDAS, Shaka and Rhino Express services offering onward global connections.
Furthermore Kitwe has also experienced massive commercial development with the construction of huge new
shopping malls and retail outlets. Our new service would also be ideal for moving FMCG in containers.
7
New: Kenya-Uganda Inland Reefer Service
This month we have launched a new inland reefer solution on the Kenya-Uganda rail corridor. Following a successful first trial
reefer cargoes arriving at Mombasa can now be moved to Kampala in around 10 days. This new service targets the frozen and
chilled foods market.
Furthermore we can offer extensive CTBL services throughout Kenya backed by a deal negotiated with Rift Valley Railways [RVR],
the operator of the Kenya-Uganda Railways. We can offer very competitive rates. For further information, rates and bookings
please contact you usual local agency office.
CMA CGM LOG Launches Website
CMA CGM LOG launched its new website on August 3rd. As the logistics
arm of CMA CGM Group, CMA CGM LOG supports customers in all their
supply chain management and logistics needs.
It is a 100% subsidiary of the Group entirely dedicated to logistics and
freight forwarding services offering solutions geared toward the optimization
of costs and logistics flow.
Casablanca
CMA CGM LOG has 1,000 employees in 60 countries and is active
worldwide through partner agents and currently present in 9-African
countries. Each office has local experts who understand your specific needs
and can develop a customized logistics solution for any type of goods.
Sea or air transport, pre and post-carriage, flow management, storage,
packing, customs clearance, CMA CGM LOG’s mission is to offer the full
range of services that is to be expected from a freight forwarder.
For more information please view the site, which is available in
French and English; http://www.cmacgm-log.com
Kampala
Mombasa
Lusaka
Walvis Bay
Dar Es Salaam
Johannesburg
Beira
Cape Town
8
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
CORRIDOR NEWS
East Africa
Central Corridor Poised To Become Regional Trade Hub
An inter-state council meeting of ministers from Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania and DR Congo [DRC] discussed how to
make the central corridor, East Africa’s hotbed for trade. The meeting saw ministers approving more than 20 ambitious projects
to be jointly implemented by the Central Corridor partners. The highlight being the proposed multi-billion dollar standard gauge
railway connecting Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and DRC to Dar es Salaam port [Tanzania] whose construction is to be launched in
August 30th.
To get Dar es Salaam port closer to traders this month will see the port open offices in Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda which will
initially be housed in the respective Tanzanian embassies. With Kenya ports authority already running an office in Kigali, renewed
efforts to improve trade facilitation on the Northern and Central Corridors is gradually giving way to healthy competition between
East Africa’s 2-ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. Such competition will boost regional trade and ease transportation costs
and lead to a positive effect on the final prices of goods and services. A good example is the recent launch of block trains bound
for Uganda and Rwanda via Isaka-Mwanza and to Burundi and DR Congo via Kigoma, seen as an attempt by Tanzania to
reposition Dar es Salaam against an increasingly competitive Mombasa port.
Anchored by Tanzania’s port of Dar es Salaam, the Central Corridor is the principal transport route for the 5-countries but
inadequate infrastructure and inefficiency in trade facilitation had pushed the cost of doing business on the course very high
for traders. In 2006, the Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency [CCTTFC], a multilateral agency was formed to
promote the route as one of choice for eastern and central Africa.
However the establishment in July 2013 of the Northern Corridor integration infrastructure projects initiative to smooth Rwanda
and Uganda’s access to the Kenyan port of Mombasa posed a potential threat to the future role of Dar es Salam. Ambitious
projects on the Northern Corridor, headlined by the standard gauge railway, inspired deep political will kept alive by quarterly
meetings of heads of state of the 3-countries plus South Sudan to take stock of their joint efforts. That political will yielded early
dividends for Northern Corridor countries including the one network area, a single tourist visa; identity card powered cross-border
travel and cosier diplomatic ties among the partners as they jointly work to implement projects.
9
This year has seen a shift. In March President Kikwete attended the 9th summit of Heads of State of the Northern Corridor
Integration Projects hosted by Rwanda in Kigali. Impressed by what he observed 2-weeks later he convened the first ever Central
Corridor Heads of State summit in Dar es Salam. Since then things have begun to run smoother. A recent meeting in Rubavu
was aimed at taking stock of what has so far been achieved ahead of the next presidential summit to be held in August. With a
renewed political will there is now an opportunity to see tangible results and unlock potential on the central corridor.
Uganda’s minister of transport Stephen Chemoiko Chebrot, noted more than 95% of Uganda’s trade is via Mombasa port
and that an alternative was badly needed as it is prudent to have an alternative in case of instability and to avoid other
inconveniences. For Rwanda 70% of its cargo is handled through Dar es Salaam with traders suffering the brunt of inefficiency
in trade facilitation. For Burundi nearly 80% of its international trade is handled through Dar es Salaam and in eastern DRC Dar
es Salaam is the shortest and most convenient port for trade, the other options are expensive and far hence making them very
unreliable. In fact, like the South Sudanese on the Northern Corridor, a key message from DRC was that there has been renewed
demands for their country to apply for admission into the East African Community [EAC] to cement benefits from regional
integration. Regional observers say that although some of the countries might have frosty geo-political relationships, the central
corridor unites them behind a common cause which gives them an opportunity to work together and deepen diplomatic relations.
As a precursor to the ministers’ meeting in Rubavu, senior technocrats from the 5-countries met in Kigali and identified
10-development clusters of which each country was handed 2-clusters to coordinate; Rwanda was placed at the vanguard of
ICT and Aviation clusters. Under each cluster, countries then identified potential projects that could be implemented from each of
the 10-clusters. Over 20 projects were proposed and will be presented to the Presidents for approval during their planned summit
later this month.
In Rubavu, DRC minister of transport who was represented by Justin Kamwanya Kalemuna handed over the chairmanship of
CCTTFC inter-state council of ministers to Rwanda’s transport minister Dr Alex Nzahabwanimana.
[New Times 03/08/15]
10
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
CORRIDOR NEWS
EAC Closer To A Uniform Custom Bond
The East African Community [EAC] may have a common custom bond by
September this year as the bloc races to enhance faster movement of goods
across the five member countries. According to the Kenya Revenue Authority,
this is part of the proposed Regional Customs Transit Guarantee [RCTG], a
regime that will ensure authorities in a transit country receive proper payment for
dues and duties for goods passing through their territories.
The RCTG bonds scheme is designed to fast-track movement of goods under
the customs seals. Value of custom bonds presently vary from one country to
another because of different duty rates and valuation of goods.
Phased Approach
1
Bulk cargo such as fuel, wheat
grain & clinker used in cement
2
Containerised cargo and motor
vehicles
3
Goods trading within the EAC
The RCTG was first introduced in 2012 for 3-countries along Northern corridor - Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda - to facilitate
movement of goods from the port of Mombasa to the hinterland. Tanzania joined on April 9, this year. Introduction of uniform
bonds for the EAC countries is part of the ongoing implementation of the Single Customs Territory system which was launched in
October 2013. The SCT allows for assessment and collection of taxes at the port of entry. Its implementation which is in phases
is currently at 50% according to the EAC secretariat. Meanwhile KRA noted all goods will be covered under the system from next
year.
[The Star 10/08/15]
11
South Africa
Transnet Gearing Up To Implement ‘Africa Strategy’
State-owned freight logistics group Transnet will execute its ‘Africa Strategy’ during the current
financial year, having already grown cross-border revenues from R1.5-billion in 2013/14 to R2.6billion in 2014/15. In its recent annual report Transnet noted cross-border revenues remained a
modest contributor to overall group revenues, which rose 8% to R61.2-billion in 2014/15. Profits for
the year increased to R5.3-billion from R5.1-billion. As a percentage of revenue, the contribution of
cross-border activities grew from 2.6% in 2014 to 4.2% in 2015.
The intention is to extend business activities beyond South Africa and to emerge as a leading
logistics service provider in sub-Saharan Africa, in line with a strategy adopted by the group’s board
in March 2014. Transnet has identified 4-revenue drivers arising from regional integration:
-
Increased rail volumes on the Maputo, East-West and North-South corridors
The extension of transhipment hub services to East and West Africa
Increased sales of rolling stock and associated rail maintenance services
Geographic expansion of port, rail and pipeline operations through concession agreements
and management contracts
Transnet has positioned the ports of Durban and Ngqura as transhipment hubs servicing East and
West Africa. Transhipment containers already account for 22% of total container throughput at its
South African port terminals. Total container volumes grew by 1.5% to 4.6-million TEU in 2014/15.
Transnet noted it would pursue further transhipment opportunities with ports in Angola, Namibia,
Mozambique, Mauritius, Tanzania and Kenya, while its freight railways unit, which had already
established joint operation centres in Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe, would seek to grow
cross-border volumes and facilitate further regional rail integration. By 2030, it plans to increase
its number of satellite offices in the region from 4 to 11, as well as its rail-corridor coverage and
shipping feeder network.
[Engineering News 03/08/15]
12
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
CORRIDOR NEWS
Sudan
Customs Discusses Border Trade & Establishment Of Free Zones In
Kassala State
The Sudan Customs Authority has discussed with the Wali [Governor] of Kassala State Adam Gama’a issues including
smuggling, border trade, drugs, weapons and encouragement of border trade for the local merchants. The meeting touched on
the arrangements for establishment of the free zone and activation of the crossing points on the borders with Eritrea such as AlLaffa and Awad crossings.
[Sudan News 06/08/15]
Uganda/DRC
Uganda And DRC Discuss Stopping Border Taxes
Uganda and DR Congo officials are in talks aimed at suspending costs levied on small-scale traders who import goods with
value less than US$2,000 through Mpondwe Lhubiriha and other common border posts. If they agree, the charges will only be
suspended on goods listed under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa [COMESA] Simplified Trade Regime [STR]
list of eligible goods.
[Monitor 05/08/15]
Zambia
Zambia Prepares For Regional Trade Facilitation
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
[COMESA] has conducted training workshops for
Zambian stakeholders in transit trade to prepare all with
knowledge and skills to implement the COMESA Virtual
Trading Facilitation System [CVTFS].
The CVTFS is a trade facilitation technology that
provides a single electronic platform for processing
various transit trade instruments, including transit
bonds, cargo tracking, overload control and insurance,
among others.
The training also covered the Regional Customs Transit
Guarantee [RCTG] scheme, commonly known as the
CARNET, which is a customs transit regime designed
to facilitate the movement of goods under customs
seals in the COMESA region and to provide the required
customs security and guarantee to the transit countries.
The CVTFS and RCTG are part of a toolkit of innovative
trade facilitation instruments developed by COMESA
over the years in line with the Protocol on Transit
Trade and Transit Facilities provided in the COMESA
Treaty. Under the Treaty, member states are obliged to
implement transit and customs measures to remove
trade and transport barriers in the region. Countries that
are not implementing the scheme require transit goods
transporters to take out a customs bond at least equal
to the duty which would be payable on their cargo.
[Times 12/08/15]
13
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
DRY PORTS & OSBP
Rwanda/Uganda
Mirama Hills One Stop Border Post [OSBP] Now 24 Hours
The Mirama Hills One Stop Border Post [OSBP] linking Rwanda and Uganda is now fully operational on a 24-hour basis. A
technical handover of the OSBP to the Uganda Revenue Authority [URA] was made in mid-July with the official commissioning
of the 2-border posts [Kagitumba in Rwanda and Mirama Hills] to be done by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Uganda’s
President Yoweri Museveni later in the year.
The refurbished border post contains sections for customs, the immigration department, a goods inspection hall, a clearing
agency block and a police post. The facility cost US$7.8 million to construct, financed by TradeMark East Africa and the
government. Work started in July 2013 when the site was handed over to the winning contractors after a bidding process, Dott
Services Limited. [EA Business Week 19/07/15]
South Africa/Zimbabwe
Beitbridge Border To Be Renovated
Government has started negotiations with a contractor to
revamp the Beitbridge Border Post to improve its efficiency.
Beitbridge is the busiest entry point in southern Africa.
With increased economic activity coupled with inadequate
facilities the post is impeding the smooth flow of traffic. The
contractor will be assigned to come up with an entirely new
infrastructure from the beginning of 2016 at a cost of US$100
million.
The project will encompass upgrading the road network to
and from the bridge, installing a perimeter fence and gate
control infrastructure; establishing parking areas and a
commercial centre as well as building staff accommodation.
It will also include setting up a weighbridge, upgrading
the communication and security systems; installing
lighting systems, computerisation of the border post and
construction of a new bridge. The project will also include
measures to strengthen collaboration between the South
African Revenue Services [SARS] and the Zimbabwe
Revenue Authority [ZIMRA] by harmonising customs systems
and procedures. ZIMRA’s information technology also needs
to be upgraded to minimise downtime, which adds to delays
in processing documentation.
The border post is notorious for slow trade and traffic,
resulting in huge costs of doing business. This has been
cited as a major constraint to business, inhibiting economic
growth in Zimbabwe, South Africa and the region at large.
The delays experienced by trucks carrying goods to and from
Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, the Democratic Republic
of Congo, Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique, push up
transport costs and ultimately the price of consumer goods.
It is estimated that more than 400 trucks cross the Beitbridge
border post every day and they experience average delays of
about 3-days crossing the border. These delays can extend
up to a week or two. The implementation of the project would
be in line with the objectives of government’s economic
blueprint, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable SocioEconomic Transformation, which runs until 2018.
[Financial Gazette 06/07/15]
14
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
ROAD
Ethiopia
Modjo-Moyale Road Corridor
The Ethiopian Roads Authority has invited eligible consultants to undertake a socio-economic baseline and post-completion
impact assessment surveys and impact evaluation designed to cover the Modjo-Moyale road, a section of the Mombasa-NairobiAddis Ababa road corridor that forms part of the Trans-Africa Highway. To commence January 2016.
[AfDB 21/07/15]
Adama-Awash Extension
Preliminary studies indicate the 130km Adama-Awash extension of the Addis Ababa-Adama expressway could cost 100 million
Br per kilometre to complete. The extension, which could be constructed over the next 5-years. The Ethiopian Roads Authority
[ERA] hired Chinese Beijing Expressway Supervision Co. Ltd. and Ethiopian Beza Consulting Engineers Plc which conducted a
2-year study which was delivered this month. The expressway is expected to cut the drive from Adama to Awash by half to just
30 minutes.
[Addis Fortune 10/08/15]
Kenya
Treasury Approves Plans To Ease Nairobi Traffic Congestion
The Kenyan National Treasury has approved plans for a road and railway master project aimed at decongesting Nairobi. The
Mass Rapid Transit, a Sh400 million project, will involve the construction of 167km of new roads and railway lines linking the
city to several satellite towns. The project is being funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency. The project will see a
commuter railway line built along outer Ring Jogoo, Mombasa, Limuru, Lang’ata Ngong Roads and Waiyaki Way. The plan will
also see the construction of a rapid bus transit system.
[Construction Review 10/08/15]
15
South Africa
Sanral Embarks On Eastern Cape Road Projects
State-owned South African National Roads Agency Limited [Sanral] is undertaking 32 projects, totalling R2.2-billion, in the
Eastern Cape, this year. Figures indicate that 1,070 km, or 23%, of the national road network of 4, 544 km in Eastern Cape – the
province with the most national roads – was being upgraded, preserved or rehabilitated. As part of its 2015 road infrastructure
programme Sanral is undertaking projects on the N2, N6, R61, R63, R65 and R67.
[Engineering News 03/08/15]
Cape Town Main Road Construction 50% Complete
Construction of Cape Town’s main road has reached its half way completion target. Phase-3, the final phase, is expected to be
completed in 2017 to include a new road surface, retainment of the wall at Clovelly and underground services. The project is
expected to cost US$24.19 million.
[Construction Review 30/07/15]
Gauteng Government Launches R295m N14 Highway Upgrade
The Gauteng Government has launched a R295-million project to upgrade the N14 freeway from Krugersdorp to Pretoria. The
N14 is a high traffic volume freeway which has degraded over the years and needs urgent rehabilitation. Phase 1 will rehabilitate
the road from Hendrik Potgieter Drive near Krugersdorp up to Diepsloot, covering both sides of the freeway. The 18-month long
project is scheduled to be completed in October 2016. The N14 upgrade will promote economic development of the western
corridor that links Lanseria Airport, the Cradle of Humankind and the North West Province. Phase 2 will eventually link with the
N14 with the N1 and is currently in planning stage.
[Engineering News 15/07/15]
Sani Pass Road - R840m Needed To Complete ‘Missing Link’
Investment of R836.6-million is needed to connect the 19 km stretch of road between the Sani Pass Hotel at the South African
border and the Lesotho border to open up a vital Durban–Pietermaritzburg–Lesotho trade corridor. The first phase of the 33-kmlong P318 project on the South African side of the border, which starts at Himeville, was completed in September 2012. The
Lesotho government, using Chinese funding, will complete the stretch of road from its border to the town of Mokhotlong in
October. The remainder is currently restricted to four-wheel drive vehicles. The P318 Sani Pass road is the only road link between
KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho. On completion, it would decrease the traveling distance between Durban and Mokhotlong from 621
km to 304 km. It is estimated that it would take 4-years to complete.
[Engineering News 23/07/15]
Construction Of N2 Wild Coast Toll Road
It was announced during a public consultation that construction work on the new N2 Wild Coast toll road is expected to begin in
2016 following a positive survey carried out by Sanral.
[CR 16/07/15]
16
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
ROAD
Zambia
US$243 Million For Tanzania Highway Upgrade
The African Development Bank [AfDB] has approved loans totalling US$243 million towards the rehabilitation of the 210km
Chinsali-Nakonde road connecting Zambia to Tanzania to improve infrastructure and services as well as reduce transport costs
between northern Zambia and southern Tanzania. Work also includes rehabilitation of 50km of feeder roads and construction of
service stations. The Chinsali-Nakonde road is a strategic national and regional road link that forms a section of both the NorthSouth Corridor, which traverses 8-countries, and the Trans-Africa Highway, running from Cape to Cairo. The road connects
northern Zambia to Tanzania, and provides connectivity and access to the sea for landlocked Zambia. It links the port of Dar-esSalaam in Tanzania to the Copper-belt in Southern Democratic Republic of Congo and Northern Zambia. It also connects the
Copper-belt to the southern ports of South Africa.
[Construction Index 17/07/15]
Mongu-Kalabo Road
Construction of the US$287 million Mongu-Kalabo Road is 75% complete and the road Development Agency [RDA] is optimistic
that the project will be completed in April 2016. The RDA has also issued a pre-qualification for the construction of the 85km
Kalabo-Sikongo road and has shortlisted 5-contractors to participate in the bidding process. The 34km stretch runs from Mongu
town to Tapo in Kalabo and will have a total of 26 bridges with the main one measuring 1,022m across the Zambezi River. Both
fall under the Zambia 8,000 scheme.
[Daily Mail 13/08/15]
17
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
RAIL
Mozambique
120th Anniversary Of Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique [CFM]
This month saw the 120th anniversary of the Mozambique Ports and Railways [Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique CFM]. CFM is the parastatal authority that oversees the railway system of Mozambique and its connected ports. The rail system
is composed of a total of 2,983 km rail. The system has developed over more than a century running from 3-different ports on the
Indian Ocean, namely Nacala, Beira and Maputo. Each terminal offers a separate line to the hinterland serves. These so called
development corridors are known as CFM Norte, Centro and Sul.
[Macauhub/MZ 20/07/15]
Work Begins On Rail Bridge Over Umbeluzi River
The ceremony to lay the foundation stone for construction of a new US$14.7 million railway bridge over the River Umbeluzi, in the
Boane district of Mozambique’s Maputo province was held this month. The new bridge will replace an existing one by Mota-Engil
Africa over 15 months. The bridge will be built at kilometre 37.7 of the Goba line which runs for 226km between the Matsapha
Industrial Park and the port of Maputo. The Goba line has capacity to receive trains with 50 wagons and is used traditionally for
sugar exports from Swaziland through Maputo with amounts ranging between 200,000-240,000t/yr.
[Macauhub/MZ 10/08/15]
Rwanda/Tanzania/Uganda
DIKKM Railway Seeking Expressions of Interest
The Governments of Burundi,
Rwanda, and Tanzania have
jointly agreed to construct a new
standard gauge railway line from
Dar es Salaam to Isaka to Kigali
with a link to Burundi that will
run from Keza to Musongati via
Gitega.
The new line, known as the
DIKKM railway [www.dikkmrail.
com], will facilitate the efficient
movement of freight and
passenger traffic, provide access
to the port of Dar es Salaam and
reduce transportation costs within
the partner states.
The project involves:
- A new standard gauge
[1435mm] line from Dar es
Salaam to Isaka [970 km]
largely parallel to the existing
meter gauge [1000 mm]
Central corridor railway and in some locations be constructed within the right-of-way of the existing line.
- New Greenfield lines from Isaka to Kigali [494km] and Keza to Musongati [197km].
An extensive feasibility study was carried out by Canarail and Gibb Africa and completed in March 2014 which presented viable
project options together with a number recommendations. The Partner States through the Rwanda Transport Development
Agency [RTDA] are now seeking Expressions of Interest [EoI] by August 14th from suitable firms to finance, design, construct,
operate and maintain the 1,661 km DIKKM Railway under a PPP arrangement.
[AfDB 21/07/15]
18
EASTERN & SOUTHERN AFRICA
RAIL
UGANDA: THE CASE FOR A RAIL LINE TO JUBA
- South Sudan is Uganda’s main export market with 15% of its total exports by July 2015
followed by Kenya, DRC, Netherlands, Germany, South Africa and UAE.
- Uganda mostly exports agricultural products [80% of total]. Main exports are coffee
[22%], tea, cotton, copper, oil and fish.
- Despite conflict in South Sudan, Ugandan trade is increasing with informal exports to
Juba growing from US$9.1 million in 2005 to US$929.9 million in 2008.
- Formal exports also increased from US$50.5 million in 2005 to US$245.9 million in 2008.
19
Uganda
Kampala-Kigali Railway Project Delayed As Focus Shifts To Juba, South Sudan
The Kampala-Kigali leg of the Standard Gauge Railway [SGR] line, under the northern corridor infrastructure development initiative, may
be delayed as Uganda shifts its priority to a more economically viable line to South Sudan.
In the wake of Kampala’s changed priorities, Rwanda must now look east to Tanzania for a quicker rail connection to the sea. The burden
is now on Kenya, with huge business interest in Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo [DRC] to promote the expanded Mombasa
port as the port of choice for regional landlocked countries. Any delay to construct the Uganda-Rwanda section of the railway line could
see Mombasa lose the Rwanda and DRC market to its rival port of Dar es Salaam.
Construction of the railway line is one of the major projects supposed to be fast tracked by Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda under a tripartite
arrangement; aiming at boosting intra-regional trade by reducing the cost of transporting goods to and from the sea. Rwanda also needs
the electric railway line quickly to reduce the cost of transporting imports and exports - currently the biggest contributing factor to the
high cost of doing business in the landlocked country. The project has several sections such as Mombasa-Nairobi, Nairobi-Malaba,
Tororo-Gulu-Pakwach that will connect Kampala to Juba, the capital of South Sudan; and Malaba-Kampala, Kampala-Kasese and
Kasese-Kigali through Mirama hills.
Although Uganda remains committed to the SGR project to Kigali, it has decided to fund construction of the Tororo-Gulu Pakwach line
first due to economic interests it has in South Sudan. Compared to Rwanda, South Sudan is a bigger market for Kampala. Kenya is
however trying to push Uganda to consider Kampala-Kigali railway section first, but if Nairobi doesn’t succeed in influencing Uganda’s
decision, Rwanda is almost set to look east to Dar es Salaam that is after all nearer to the sea.
Uganda cannot afford the cost of constructing the Juba-Kampala section and the Kampala-Kigali section concurrently. The main issue is
funding. Uganda needs US$14 billion to invest in all the sections. Currently it has secured only US$3.3 billion from the Chinese Exim bank
to be invested on the Kampala-Malaba route. So the priority will be the Kampala-Malaba route that connects to Nairobi and then the
northern section which is Tororo-Gulu-Pakwach that connects us to Juba, South Sudan. It is hoped by 2020 trains will move from Nairobi
to Kampala. However the western route that links Kampala to Kigali will come last after 2020. Currently geotechnical work is being
undertaken to ascertain exactly where the line will pass.
With a change in Uganda’s priorities, Kigali will have to wait longer for the train to come though Mirama hills. Rwanda is considering both
projects concurrently. But Rwanda will need US$2.4 billion for both projects. The line to the Tanzanian border at Rusumo and the one
to Uganda via Mirama hills are both estimated at 400kms. Constructing a standard gauge railway is expensive with a kilometre costing
between US$5-8million. Like Uganda and Kenya, Rwanda is also eyeing the Exim bank of China to finance the Rwandan segment as well
as external private investors. A complete feasibility study is being undertaken. Meanwhile Africa 50, a project by the African Development
Bank [AfDB] aimed at mobilising private financing to accelerate infrastructure development, is in charge of developing the 2,935 km
Standard Gauge Railway project business plan which could help bring more financiers.
Kenya has already commenced construction of the Mombasa-Nairobi line with over 40km already constructed by China Road and Bridge
Corporation. The line will see freight trains with a capacity of 216 TEU travelling on average at 80km/hr. A typical freight train will consist
of 54 double stack flat wagons and measure 880m long. Transporting a cargo container from Mombasa to Kigali is expected to see
costs and transit times reduce by half.
[Independent 19/07/15]
20
WESTERN AFRICA
CORRIDOR NEWS
Ghana/Benin
Tema-Paga Road Corridor - Trans Border Checkpoints Spur Complaints
Ghana’s security agencies have come under
criticism from transborder operators for mounting
scores of permanent and temporary checkpoints
that contravene the ECOWAS convention on transit
goods. Operators cited the Tema-Paga route as the
most stressful with some 42 police and 12 customs
checkpoints along the route. Many more than the
3-checkpoints recommended by ECOWAS to be
on that stretch of road including checkpoints at the
port, the Paga border and final point of destination.
Police say the checkpoints are valuable measures
intended to counteract robbery but operators
argue that the checkpoints are used as a tactic
to milk cross-border traders and truck operators.
Complaints were made at a stakeholder forum on
the ‘Road Governance Caravan’ organised by the
Borderless Alliance in Kumasi, as part of efforts to
assess the level of competitiveness and performance
for the northern section of the Tema-Paga corridor.
Data gathered by the West Africa Economic and
Monetary Union [WAEMU] Road Governance
Initiative, widely referred to as OPA [Observatoire des
Partiques Anormales], noted the costs and delays
resulting from the various non-tariff barriers, including
harassment by police and Ghana Revenue Authority
[Customs Division] at the various checkpoints which
have worsened rather than improved in recent times.
It is feared that the increasing number of checkpoints
with their attendant delays and corrupt practices,
could result in many transit operators making
neighbouring countries the preferred destination
for their trade. Ghana, in recent years, has pursued
aggressive reforms to make its ports and transit
corridors more competitive for landlocked trade
partners. The Port of Tema, which is Ghana’s main
port, competes with neighbouring ports such as the
Port Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire; Port Lome in Togo; and
the Port Cotonou in Benin for transit goods going to
landlocked countries.
Since the beginning of the year stakeholders
including the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority
[GPHA], Ghana Shippers Authority [GSA], Burkina
Shippers Council, USAID/West Africa Trade Hub,
National Road and Transport Facilitation Committee
[NFC] and Borderless Alliance have held a series
of meetings with the Ghana Police Service to find
a lasting solution to the problem of delays and
extortions arising from mounting these checkpoints.
Recent developments within the corridor are a major
concern to all stakeholders, and will require collective
efforts to curb such challenges.
[Ghanaweb 06/08/15]
21
WESTERN AFRICA
DRY PORTS & OSBP
Nigeria
Kano To Get Inland Container Depot
The Nigerian Shippers Council [NSC] is to establish an inland container
depot in Kano state to address challenges of cargo clearance and delivery
faced by shippers in the Northwest zone. The project was announced at
a seminar in Kano which aimed at enlightening exporters of agricultural
products on the importance of packaging and quality control in international
commodity transaction.
[Daily Trust 03/08/15]
22
WESTERN AFRICA
ROAD
Algeria/Niger/Chad
Road Works To Commence
Lot 2 covering the development and tarring of the 100km Arlit-Assamaka road linking Algeria-Niger-Chad has been awarded to
GROUPEMENT ETPBH-GT/GEPCO. Works on this section forms part of the Multinational Algeria-Niger-Chad project. Works are
due to commence September 2015.
Liberia
China To Build Highway
China will build a new coastal highway for Liberia as part of its aid to the country recovering from Ebola. China’s Foreign Minister
Wang Yi recently visited Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the countries hardest hit by the epidemic. Liberia’s existing coastal
route is vital for commerce as the country rebuilds after a civil war that ended in 2003. It connects the capital to the border with
Ivory Coast via the port city of Buchanan, where exports of exports of iron and timber pass through, but much of the road is
unpaved.
[Reuters 10/08/15]
Nigeria
Nigeria To Rehabilitate East-West Road Section
The River State government has commenced a US$15.15 million rehabilitation project on the East-West Road section from
Eleme Junction to the Onne exit point. A Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] was signed with Integrated Logistics Limited
[Intels], the West African Container Terminal Limited, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, Oil
and Gas Free Zone and the Indorama Petrochemicals Limited. The project will enhance the environment for the Oil and Gas Free
Zone as well as movement of goods and people from Port Harcourt to Eleme.
[Construction Review 21/07/15]
Senegal
Louis Berger Selected For 3rd Phase Of Highway 6
A Louis Berger-led business unit has been selected by the Millennium Challenge Account to implement the third phase of a road
rehabilitation program in Senegal. The project involves the modernization of a bridge and rehabilitation of National Highway 6 both
paramount for Senegal’s socioeconomic development. The move will also increase farmers’ access to international markets.
[NJ Biz 21/07/15]
23
WESTERN AFRICA
RAIL
Cameroon
Batchenga-Ka’a Rail Line Refurbishment
The 22nd Committee In Charge Of Railway Infrastructure [COMIFER] met on August 7th in Yaounde, to discuss projects and
the second phase of the 2016-2020 investment to modernize railway infrastructure. Work on the Batchenga-Ka’a railway is
progressing with over 60km of the 175km line rehabilitated. The Bolloré Group subsidiary, Cameroon Railways, Camrail and State
engineers have accelerated work on the line. Meanwhile the Douala Ngaoundere rail line is due for refurbishment. The COMIFER
committee is approaching Chinese banks to source funding for the acquisition of 15 passenger carriages, 5-railcars and
3-locomotives as Cameroon will be hosting the 2016 and 2019 African Cups of Nations and facilitating the movement of people/
spectators is vital. COMIFER is urging Camrail to accelerate the process to acquire more passenger equipment with regard to
installing a modern railway station in Yaounde with designs expected by mid-October. The bid will be launched by the end of this
year while work is expected to begin in June 2016.
[Cameroon Tribune 11/08/15]
Ghana
Ghana To Reconstruct The Western Rail Line
Ghana plans to reconstruct the Western Rail line from Takoradi to Kumasi. The project will also include a branch rail line that will
begin from Dunkwa stretching to Awaso. Speaking at the Front End Engineering Design [FEED] forum, the Transport Minister,
Mrs. Dzifa Attivor, confirmed that the project completion has been estimated to cost US$1 billion. She further explained that
purpose of the project is to modernize the Western Rail line whereby modern rail stations, ancillary facilities and terminals will
be introduced to offer smooth, timely and safe services. The Western Rail project will be executed under the Ghana Railway
Development Authority [GRDA]. The design of the Western Line was initiated by Italian consultancy Team Engineering SpA funded
by the Government.
[Construction Review 21/07/15]
Senegal
Senegal Launches Dakar Airport Rail Link Tender
The Senegalese government has issued a prequalification invitation to build a 55km rail link between the centre of Dakar and the
new Blaise Diagne International Airport [AIBD] near Ndiass, which is expected to open next year. The project involves upgrading
and electrifying the western section of the Dakar-Diourbel metre-gauge line and constructing a branch to the airport. The link will
be built in 2-phases: Dakar - Diamniado [36km] and Diamniado - AIBD [19km]. The open tender will be conducted in 2-stages
and is divided into 3-lots, covering design and construction of infrastructure, railway systems [electrical], and renewal of metregauge track. Senegal is shifting the focus of infrastructure investment towards modernising the country’s rail network following
the completion of a programme of road improvements.
[IRJ 03/08/15]
24