Maritime Week Africa (#MWAF25), the longest-running and most popular bunkering event on the African continent, is making history by hosting its 16th edition on the beautiful island nation of Mauritius from 24-27 March 2025.
For the very first time, the industry’s key stakeholders – including bunker buyers and suppliers, ports, refiners, regulators, and maritime professionals – will convene at the Hilton Mauritius to explore cutting-edge developments, unique opportunities, and pressing challenges impacting the bunkering sector in Mauritius, across Africa, and beyond.
Packed Conference Programme
Attendees can expect an in-depth focus on both traditional marine fuels and emerging alternatives, reflecting the industry’s drive toward innovation and sustainability. Sessions will examine the critical factors shaping current markets and forecast the forces that will influence future growth. For a detailed look at the full conference agenda, please visit the MWAF 2025 Programme.
Event Highlights
1. Major International Conference: Thought leaders will share insights on bunkering, decarbonization, and next-generation fuel options.
2. Specialised Training Courses: Deep-dive sessions on shipping, bunkering, and alternative fuels to keep professionals ahead of the curve.
3. Exclusive Port Louis Tour: Experience the key maritime gateway of Mauritius and gain firsthand knowledge of its strategic importance.
4. Unparalleled Networking: Engage with industry colleagues at receptions, dinners, and other social gatherings amidst the island’s picturesque setting.
Join Us
Maritime Week Africa 2025 represents a pivotal opportunity to embrace change, plan for the future, and shape the evolving narrative of Africa’s marine fuels industry. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative event.
Contact & Registration
For more information, media inquiries, or registration details, please visit the official Maritime Week Africa 2025 website at maritimeweekafrica.com or email us at info@ship.energy

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Contact:
Llewellyn Bankes-Hughes, CEO and Founder, ship.energy Limited
Email: lbh@ship.energy

Sustainability is at the core of business operations for Sandvik Mining South Africa, developing innovative practices that drive Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) imperatives.

This means embracing a holistic approach rooted in three pillars – planet, people and profit –according to Sandvik Mining South Africa’s Sustainability Manager, Jan Prinsloo. With its focus on making a positive local impact, Prinsloo highlights that the company’s initiatives are carefully aligned with global commitments.

“We tailor our efforts to specific local needs, while also aligning these with Sandviks global strategy and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he says. With South Africa being a signatory to the 2015 Paris Agreement, it has its own National Development Plan de’termined to the contribution to the global sustainability challenges and targets as set and agreed, he points out. This is another important factor in how Sandvik South Africa prioritises its sustainability areas.

“We also recognise the importance of ‘double materiality’,” he says, “so that we achieve a balanced assessment of how our business operations affect the environment, alongside an understanding of how environmental changes in turn impact our business”

Mining Contractor PT Pamapersada Nusantara (PAMA) has made history by becoming the first open pit coal mine in the region to implement Automation at its Kalimantan coal mine site in Indonesia, and RCT was chosen to do it.

RCT’s Automation technology has been embraced on site across its dozer fleet, consisting of two Komatsu Dozers (D155 and D375). These dozers have been equipped with Line-Of-Sight and portable vision to give operators an even clearer view and improve safety for operators.

“This project is an important and historic moment for improving operational safety management in the Indonesian coal mining world,” said SHE Management Development Department Head, Pak Ridha. The site’s decision to move from manual operation to Automation was safety driven.

Risk reduction
“As we know, mining involves several high-risk areas related to bulldozer work, such as near water, mud, cliffs, heights and land clearing areas. With this application of technology, the level of risk in these areas can be reduced significantly,” added Mr Ridha.

In November 2024, teams across LTA Autecon’s Oil & Gas coastal region celebrated World Quality Week with the theme ‘Quality: From Compliance to Performance’. This theme emphasises the shift from merely meeting compliance standards, to driving performance through a strong and entrenched culture of quality.

Assistant Site Manager Fadiel Meyer, who participated along with many of his colleagues, supports this initiative, as celebrating World Quality Week helps to embed a mindset which motivates LTA Autecon’s people to innovate, collaborate and improve. This echoes and reinforces the company’s own well-known operational ethos and motto ‘Home without harm, everyone everyday’.

“It is vital to ensure that our teams are constantly sensitised to – and aware of – the need for quality in all that they do. It is also important to utilise these initiatives to celebrate the work our teams do, and to show them our appreciation. Our people take these initiatives to heart!” he enthuses.

Celebrating quality through creativity and collaboration
At LTA Autecon, the practice of celebrating World Quality Week began in 2020. In 2024, it became a uniquely coastal initiative at four of the LTA Oil and Gas sites, in which teams were encouraged to proactively contribute ideas, take ownership and drive quality performance across all projects. The initiative was driven by two of the company’s Quality Co- ordinators: Dean Pierce in KwaZulu-Natal and Randal Jacks in Cape Town.

Throughout 2024, the demand for Emirates SkyCargo’s specialist product portfolio, extensive global network and all-widebody fleet continued to grow exponentially, with no signs of slowing down. To meet the burgeoning global demand, the airline has wet-leased two additional Boeing 747 freighters, starting 2025 with a 15% increase in critical main deck cargo capacity, compared to January 2024.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo said: “Throughout 2024, we made significant investments in new and leased freighter aircraft to address the evolving supply chain and air cargo demands around the world to ensure we had a stable supply of capacity to best serve our global customers. This remains a key priority for Emirates SkyCargo, as we set our sights on the next era of growth.

“We anticipate that demand will continue to boom, reflecting Dubai’s prominence as a global logistics hub. Enhancing our cargo capabilities is essential to support Dubai’s Economic Agenda, enabling us to reach new destinations, bolster our current operations and elevate our specialist product portfolio.”

The multi-year lease for the Boeing 747s was signed with the Compass Group, one of Emirates SkyCargo’s longstanding and most reliable partners. This investment in additional Boeing 747F capacity enables the airline to unlock immediate capacity to cater to customer demand, while the partners discuss avenues for further expansion of the collaboration.

Emirates SkyCargo’s leasing strategy complements its owned fleet, which continues to grow. In 2024, the airline received two of its new Boeing 777Fs, which immediately entered service, with a focus on the increasing demand of eCommerce shipments from Asian markets. The additional aircraft also enabled Emirates SkyCargo to expand its network of destinations served by freighters to 38, with the deployment of a weekly freighter to Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Emirates SkyCargo active operating fleet now consists of 10 Boeing 777Fs and six wet-leased Boeing 747s, bringing the aircraft count to 16. The airline also has 13 Boeing 777Fs on order, with expected delivery between 2025 and 2026. This substantial orderbook will support the airline through its next phase of growth, while it explores all options for the future fleet, including the Boeing 777-8F and Airbus A350-1000F.

Facilitating the swift, reliable and efficient movement of goods, Emirates SkyCargo harnesses the widebody fleet and multi-frequency schedules of Emirates’ passenger operations. The recently increased passenger flights to key cities including Madagascar via the Seychelles, Uganda and Ethiopia, followed by Johannesburg, South Africa and Melbourne, Australia before the end of the financial year, will further bolster the freight division’s capacity to transport goods worldwide. Finally, the arrival of the first A350, which entered service this month, will further boost bellyhold capacity, offering 12 tonnes on every flight.

Ethiopian Airlines has reaffirmed its leadership in pharmaceutical air cargo services in Africa by successfully retaining its IATA CEIV Pharma (Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics) certification. This achievement highlights the airline’s continued commitment to excellence in transporting and handling pharmaceutical products, adhering to the highest international standards in healthcare logistics.

The IATA CEIV Pharma certification is a globally recognized benchmark that ensures the safe and efficient handling of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments. Ethiopian Airlines first achieved this certification in 2022, becoming the pioneer in Africa to attain this prestigious recognition. This latest recertification reinforces the airline’s dedication to maintaining these high standards while investing in infrastructure, training, and technology to enhance its services further.

The accomplishment, according to Mr. Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, is evidence of the airline’s steadfast dedication to helping the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. “Our dedication to excellence in healthcare logistics is demonstrated by this recertification,” he stated. Additionally, Tasew emphasized the airline’s strategic goal of establishing Addis Ababa as the world’s leading pharmaceutical hub in the global south.

“With a global network spanning key healthcare logistics hubs, we are dedicated to providing reliable and efficient air cargo services that address the logistical challenges of healthcare transportation. Leveraging Addis Ababa’s strategic location, we aim to support the healthcare industry and strengthen our position as a trusted partner in pharma and life sciences logistics,” Tasew added.

Ethiopian Airlines operates the largest and most advanced cargo network in Africa, serving 70 dedicated cargo destinations and over 140 passenger destinations globally. Its fleet includes 10 Boeing 777-200F, three Boeing 767-300F, and four Boeing 737-800F freighters, complemented by 150+ passenger aircraft. This extensive network is supported by cutting-edge cargo facilities with the capacity to handle one million tons of goods annually. These facilities are equipped with modern technologies to ensure optimal handling of pharmaceuticals, horticultural products, valuables, live animals, e-commerce, and courier services.

Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services handles an average of 2,000 tons of cargo daily, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable logistics partner. The airline’s commitment to modernizing its cold chain infrastructure, investing in specialized training for its workforce, and integrating innovative technologies has been pivotal in achieving and maintaining the IATA CEIV Pharma certification.

Ethiopian Airlines’ ability to handle pharmaceutical shipments in accordance with strict international standards is reassured by this certification, which also enhances the airline’s capacity to satisfy the increasing demand for dependable healthcare logistics services throughout Africa and beyond.

In addition to reaffirming its dominance in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines is positioning itself as a major participant in the global healthcare supply chain by continuing to set standards in the aviation and logistics sectors. Its goal to promote vital sectors and support global health initiatives is emphasized by its investments in quality and innovation, as well as its focus on developing a world-class pharmaceutical corridor through Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Airlines is still a reliable and trustworthy partner in the global delivery of life-saving pharmaceutical items thanks to its most recent recertification.

Namibia and Zambia began discussions to operationalise the Katima Mulilo One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) at the inaugural Joint Technical Committee (JTC) meeting.

The meeting underway in Sesheke, Zambia, from 13 to 17 January 2025, focuses on establishing governance structures and frameworks to implement the June 2024 bilateral agreement aimed at improving trade and border efficiency.

The week-long meeting is led by the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and comprises representatives from various border agencies.

Jacqueline Gawanas, the acting Head of Customs and Excise at NamRA, highlighted the significance of the meeting in advancing the June 2024 agreement.

“This inaugural JTC meeting aims to establish the governance framework for the OSBP by defining the roles, responsibilities, and composition of its subcommittees. These foundational steps are crucial for operationalising the Katima Mulilo OSBP, enhancing border efficiency, and strengthening trade relations between the two nations,” she said.

She expressed confidence in the JTC’s ability to guide the operationalisation process effectively.

“The agenda for this week reflects the depth of our commitment to addressing every aspect required for the success of the OSBP. Over the coming days, we will engage in comprehensive discussions to finalise governance structures, sub-committee mandates, and operational frameworks that align with the principles of inclusiveness, innovation and efficiency,” she added.

Gawanas also noted that this includes critical areas such as infrastructure, ICT systems and procedures, which form the foundation of a functional OSBP.

She said the Katima Mulilo Border Post serves as a critical artery for the movement of goods and people between Namibia and Zambia, and the establishment of an operational OSBP symbolises the countries’ unwavering commitment to efficiency, collaboration and prosperity.

During the meeting’s opening session on Tuesday, Derrick Sikombe, Acting Director of Domestic Trade and Commerce at Zambia’s Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, emphasised the importance of the discussions in laying the groundwork for the OSBP’s implementation and eventual opening.

The governance structure being developed will provide a blueprint for coordinated and efficient border operations, supporting trade facilitation, security and regional cooperation.

Original post: https://thebrief.com.na/2025/01/namibia-zambia-looks-at-operationalising-katima-mulilo-osbp/

The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has officially designated the Port of Walvis Bay as a pivotal transshipment hub for Southern Africa with the launch of its Namibia Express route. This strategic initiative is set to enhance trade connections between Africa, Europe, and other global markets, reinforcing Namibia’s role in international logistics.

In a recent announcement, MSC outlined plans to strengthen its regional network through the enhancement of the North West Continent (NWC) to South Africa service, alongside the introduction of two new routes: the Namibia Express and the Mozambique Shuttle. These developments are designed to streamline cargo movement and foster intra-African trade, all while connecting the region to key international markets.

“Walvis Bay will become our new transshipment hub on the Southern Africa West Coast, facilitating the movement of goods from Europe via our NWC to South Africa service. Additionally, MSC strengthens its intra-Africa network in the region,” the company stated.

The enhanced NWC to South Africa service will now include a direct call to Walvis Bay, establishing vital connections between Northern Europe, South Africa, and Namibia. This addition reflects MSC’s commitment to integrating Namibia into its global shipping network, providing businesses with efficient access to European markets.

The Namibia Express will function as a dedicated shuttle route between Cape Town and Walvis Bay, enabling seamless cargo delivery from Europe through transshipment. This dedicated service is expected to simplify logistics for businesses, improving delivery times and reducing complexities associated with long-haul shipping.

Simultaneously, the Mozambique Shuttle will connect Walvis Bay to ports in Maputo, Beira, Mombasa, and Dar es Salaam. This route will strengthen Walvis Bay’s position as a central trade hub for the region, enhancing connectivity across Eastern and Southern Africa and linking these regions to the global shipping network.

The new routes and revised services are scheduled to commence operations in January 2025. The enhanced NWC to South Africa service will debut with the MSC Rosaria voyage NZ504A, departing London Gateway on January 20, 2025. The Namibia Express will commence earlier, with the MSC Himanshi III voyage OA502A departing Cape Town on January 8, 2025. The Mozambique Shuttle will follow on January 14, 2025, with the MSC Imma III voyage JO502A departing from Beira.

These services are meticulously planned to ensure that Walvis Bay’s strategic location is fully leveraged to facilitate efficient cargo movement. By acting as a central hub, the port is poised to play a significant role in enhancing Namibia’s trade potential and supporting regional economic growth.

MSC’s strategic decision to position Walvis Bay as a transshipment hub is expected to deliver substantial benefits for Namibia and Southern Africa. The initiative will not only boost Namibia’s trade potential but also provide businesses across the region with improved access to European and regional markets. Furthermore, it aligns with broader objectives of modernizing Africa’s logistics networks and expanding its global trade footprint.

The improved infrastructure and connectivity will also enhance intra-African trade, enabling smoother and more efficient exchanges of goods within the continent. By positioning itself at the center of this growth, Walvis Bay stands to become a key player in Africa’s evolving trade landscape.

As MSC’s revised routes become operational, the enhanced logistics and trade capabilities will contribute to a more integrated and competitive African market, offering significant opportunities for businesses and economies across the region.

27 January 2025, Johannesburg, South Africa – UD Trucks Southern Africa (UDTSA)’s historic founding dates back in 1962 and this year, marks 90 years of the brand’s existence globally. This significant milestone reflects the brand’s legacy locally as one of the leading brands in the commercial vehicle industry. Renowned for offering cutting-edge products in the Light, Medium, and Heavy segments, produced from its assembly plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria.

As is customary, UDTSA started the year with its Annual Press Conference on 27 January 2025, at Cradle Boutique Hotel near Johannesburg with local media stakeholders in attendance. At this exclusive event, UDTSA announced its annual business results, which highlighted the overall new vehicle market at 10.2% with aggregate industry sales at 32 912 compared to the total sales of 30 807 in 2024. Additionally, UDTSA recorded laudable performance of over 50% in Service Agreements and remains market leader in Euro 5 vehicle sales, attesting to its vision of “Better Life”, bringing more sustainable transport solutions to South Africa.

Filip Van den Heede – Managing Director
Filip Van den Heede, Managing Director UD Trucks Southern Africa comments on the performance: “2024 was a year marked by both domestic and international unpredictable operating conditions which to a certain degree impacts how we do business. However, I am particularly pleased at the company’s overall performance and the unwavering support we offered our customers throughout the year despite the prevailing industry conditions. This is testament to the right resources we have in place that helps us continue to go the extra mile for our customers to keep their trucks on the road where they belong – a robust nationwide dealer network, excellent OEM support, fit-for-purpose products and aftermarket services, parts availability, and most importantly, improved uptime, ensuring our customers profitability, productivity, and continuing to pave the way for Better Life for South Africa and its people with more sustainable transport solutions.”

Product improvements to meet growing customer business needs

With the brand’s proven success of providing ultimate dependable trucks, that offer high- level of fuel efficiency, reliability, durability, drivability, and uptime. UDTSA continues to challenge itself with product development and future mobility solutions to cater directly to the customer’s business requirements and industry’s demanding safety and environmental standards with modern technology.

With innovation that puts people first, the Quon feature enhancements that set the benchmark on safety and uptime have been introduced and these include features such as traffic eye control cruise with stop and auto go, improved traffic eye brake system with VRU (Vulnerable Road User), improved driver alert system and emergency brake signal.

Rory Schultz, Sales Director, UD Trucks Southern Africa comments: “Our aim is to be our customers’ ultimate business partner to help them move their businesses forward. It is for this reason that as a brand, we constantly review our local product range in line with customer business requirements. Over and above these enhancements, UD Trucks globally continues to innovate in the new NEV spaces through engaging in different partnerships.”

In addition to product innovations, UD Trucks places a strong emphasis on driver training as a core offering to ensure customers derive maximum value from their vehicles. This commitment was exemplified in 2024 when UDTSA participated in the global finals of the Extra Mile Challenge where it received notable recognition for performance excellence. The challenge highlights not just vehicle reliability but also the critical role of skilled drivers in delivering value for customers’ businesses. By focusing on comprehensive solutions that include both advanced products and driver training, UD Trucks truly goes the extra mile for its customers.

Maximizing uptime, maximizing profitability

Maximizing uptime and profitability remains at the core of UDTSA’s offering, ensuring customers avoid unexpected interruptions and costly repairs. These solutions allow vehicles to spend more time on the road driving business success and less time in the workshop.

The uptime services include among others: UD Trust Standard or Ultimate Service Agreements (offering predictable maintenance costs for up to five years with options for service-only). With these comprehensive plans, UDTSA continues its strong trajectory of growth, with penetration rates reaching new heights. In 2023 the brand indicated an increase of over 40%, whilst in 2024, the team took it a notch higher with a further realization of 50% Year to date (YTD). This success underscores UDTSA’s commitment to delivering lifetime value to its customers, guaranteeing uptime, profitability, and increased second-hand value.

Furthermore, one of the biggest impacts on customer uptime is the time lost while waiting for parts and improving customer uptime is when parts are available at the dealership. Through the support from Japan with specific focus on the South African market, implementation of predictive systems, a dedicated team that investigate exceptional demand patterns, as well as the data received from vehicle sales and collaboration with Service Agreements data. UDTSA has been able to strive for a minimum availability of 96%, the best achievement in the last decade. This has ensured that at dealerships parts are available in the morning when they start working on the trucks, resulting in efficiency and productivity in the workshop, demonstrating ongoing commitment to customer satisfaction and uptime.

In addition, UDTSA’s uptime services also include industry-leading UD Connected Services, telematic solutions that enable business owners to monitor driver behavior and vehicle health, ensuring operational efficiency, and safety. Genuine Service is also a key contributor to delivering uptime by providing maintenance schedules customized to individual specification and conditions of the vehicles, keeping them in prime condition to deliver the maximum uptime.

Lastly, complementing these offerings is the UD Road Support Call Centre, available 24/365 days, working hand in hand with the robust nationwide and strategically positioned dealer network which allows customers access to expert assistance whenever they need it.

Sanjay Naipal, Aftermarket Director, UD Trucks Southern Africa emphasizes the importance of these solutions: “As UD Trucks, we understand that for any fleet owner, the biggest pain points are unexpected breakdowns and downtime. With our fully-fledged uptime solutions, we are confident in giving our customers complete peace of mind, reaping the benefits of the preventative measure which result in significantly improved organisation of workshop visits and huge reduction on breakdowns.”

Reaffirming commitment in Southern Africa

2024 unfolded as a triumphant year for UDTSA, as the company was once again recognized by naamsa, The Automotive Business Council amongst the best-performing brands in the entire automotive value chain, across various segments and categories. At naamsa’s 2024 Accelerator Awards, UDTSA scooped three awards for its distinguished efforts of driving transformation and empowerment in the medium-heavy commercial vehicle (MHCV) sector, namely: Job Creator – MHCV Employment Award, Youth Empowering MHCV Award, and Women Empowering MHCV Award. This recognition not only concedes UDTSA’s ongoing efforts in driving meaning change in the industry and societies but further strengthens the company’s dedication and commitment in making Better Life for people – particularly in the areas of job creation, youth development, and gender inclusivity.

In another noteworthy industry recognition, UDTSA was bestowed with a gold award in the commercial vehicle sector by National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) DSI Awards – a coveted recognition that speaks to the company’s relentless commitment to going the extra mile and the confidence and faith dealers have in the brand. The awards follow a stringent survey of the local dealer network, which measures areas such as dealer standards, communication, relationships, training and overall aftermarket support.

Better Life – making life better for people and societies

Furthermore, UDTSA expanded its partnership with Commercial Transport Academy (CTA), following the launch of CTA’s first-ever Bus Driver Development Program in 2024. There are approximately 30 female trainees that will benefit directly from this initiative, off which, UDTSA sponsored a new Croner Bus PKE 280 65-Seater to CTA to intensify the training efforts. As a company that is guided by its purpose of “Better Life”, it is this very purpose that spurs UDTSA to join forces with companies such CTA through the shared vision of making life better for people and the societies we operate in.

In another industry transforming initiative which further cemented UDTSA’s efforts to making Better Life for people and societies. The company took part in the inaugural Truck Driver Safety and Wellness Symposium, hosted by the National Department of Transport, in collaboration with SaferStops Association. The initiative was curated with the key objective to recognize truck drivers for their invaluable contribution to the economic success of South Africa – in addition to giving prominence to the important issues such as health, safety, and wellness faced by truck drivers. A key symbol of meaningful collaboration that aims at keeping the wheels turning for the industry.

Additionally, to mark Mandela Day UDTSA and SaferStops Association joined forces to donate winter hampers to approximately 350 truck drivers at Vaal Truck-Inn Truck Stop – situated next to the N3. The hampers included essential winter items aiming to provide comfort and warmth during the colder months. This initiative underscored UDTSA’s unwavering commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its dedication to the well-being of those at the heart of the logistics industry.

90 years of providing products and services that the world needs today

2025 is a special year for UD Trucks globally, celebrating 90 years of innovation since its establishment in 1935 and over the years, the brand has continued providing products and services that the world needs today.

With the brand promise of “Going the Extra Mile”, UD Trucks offers products with a high level of fuel efficiency, uptime, reliability, durability, drivability, while meeting future mobility solutions. Always providing the best solutions to transportation challenges, UD Trucks will continue to support the development of the logistics industry and contribute to the economic growth in all the markets it operates in for the next 90 years.

“As we gear up to the remarkable future, we remain dedicated to the success of the Southern Africa region and going the extra mile to provide our customers with ultimate dependability for the next 90 years,” concludes Van den Heede