Africa, a continent on the brink of profound transformation, is poised to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digitalisation to revolutionise its logistics, transport and supply chain industries. The youthful workforce, increasing digital literacy, and substantial infrastructure investments provide a unique opportunity for businesses to thrive in this dynamic landscape. To facilitate a comprehensive understanding of AI and Digitalisation’s implications in these crucial sectors, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport: South Africa (CILTSA) is delighted to announce a business-focused, complimentary webinar scheduled for November 30th, 2023, titled: “Towards a Profound Insight into Artificial Intelligence and Digitalisation: Implications for Logistics, Transport, and the Supply Chain in Africa.”

The programme includes:

• Driving AI and Digitalisation – a practical approach to delivering value by Reza Suleman – Lead, Futures Practice: Africa International Advisors
• What is AI and what does it mean for our future? by Takalani Madzhadzhi, CEO of Ashanti AI
• AI and Digitalisation in action: Case studies and leading-edge, practical examples by Munya Husvu – CEO: ISB Optimus
• Artificial Intelligence and Digitalisation Changing the Landscape of Telematics by Henry Smith – Sales Director: Fleet (Africa) – MiX Telematics

Agenda highlights include:

• What are AI and Digitalisation, and how are they being used in the logistics, transport, and supply chain industries in Africa?
• What are the benefits and challenges of using AI and Digitalisation in these industries?
• How can African businesses prepare for the future of AI and Digitalisation?

The free-to-attend webinar, sponsored by MiX Telematics, also provides a platform for participants to ask questions and share their own experiences.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain invaluable insights into the future of business in Africa. The time to embrace the potential of AI and Digitalisation is now!

To register for the 30 November event that takes place from 09h00 to 11h00, go to  https://www.transportsig.com/events/calendarx/domestic/ciltsa-webinar-on-artificial-intelligence-and-digitalisation

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Catherine at 083 300 0331 or email cvlarkin@ciltsa.org.za

Grand Prix Express based in Colwyn Bay in North Wales have taken delivery of 4 brand new DAF FTG XF 480 tractor units from Hexagon Leasing.

Founded in 1978, the family business specialises in a worldwide parcel and pallet delivery and collection service and operates a fleet of vehicles ranging from courier vans to articulated lorries.

Graham Berry, General Manager at Grand Prix said: “We are delighted to be celebrating our 45^th anniversary in the industry this year.

“The trucks are being used for pallet multi-drops and collections as well as trunking.”

Alan Ellison, CEO at Hexagon Leasing said: “We have a long-standing relationship with Grand Prix Express and are pleased that we could meet their requirements with these new DAF trucks which have been supplied on a full contract hire agreement.”

The four vehicles all have DVS cameras fitted and are being fleet managed by Hexagon Leasing.

About Grand Prix Express

Based in North Wales, Grand Prix Express prides itself on a professional and efficient worldwide parcel and pallet delivery and collection service. The company works in partnership with UK’s leading parcel and pallet companies, national and local businesses as well as the private sector.

The company operates a fleet of vehicles ranging from small courier vans to articulated vehicles. It delivers small parcels to bulk consignments and haulage. Grand Prix Express provides a nationwide delivery service with the option of same day – next day- timed and pre-noon services. In addition, it also provides worldwide services in conjunction with well established partner networks.

Storage

Grand Prix Express have modern clean and affordable storage facilities to cater for all requirements. Short or long term options available. Storage and shipment of freight to customers using the latest technology in warehouse management.

• De-vanning
• Storage of both racked and bulk products
• Pick and pack operations to piece level
• Contract packing and rework services
• Full and part load distribution utilising our own fleet
• Warehouse is 280,000 square feet and holds up to 17,000 pallet spaces, with a  combination of standard pallet racking, drive through racking and bulk storage
• Operating 3 shift system Sunday –Saturday
• 24hr Security

National hauliers BJS Haulage and Construct IT, have jointly opened a new site in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, expanding their operating sites in response to demand from their growing client base.

The new site, based off Merrills Hall Island between Steelpark Way and Wednesfield Way, has been built on a renovated parcel of land, and is now home to the majority of the growing West Midlands based BJS Haulage and Construct IT fleet.

The Steelpark Way site comes purpose-built, with secure gated access and 24/7 staffing, and is situated in a prime location for their current client base and proximity to the M6 – meaning more room to grow as the businesses continue their expansion.

As part of the sustainability initiatives at the group, the site has also been equipped with standard charging points for its electric auxiliary vehicles, and a heavy-duty charger as part of the HGV fleet’s electric future.

The two sister companies, part of the BJS Family of brands based in the Black Country, share various sites across the region with the third company in their portfolio, BJS Home Delivery, along with a number of other strategic outbases across the country.

BJS Haulage work across various sectors for their clients, along with providing line haulage services for their home delivery sister, while Construct IT is focused on the construction sector, shifting bricks, blocks, and a variety of building materials for manufacturers, importers, and merchants across the country.

Amarat Gill, Operations Director for BJS Haulage and Construct IT, says:

“The new Steelpark Way site is a welcome addition to the BJS and Construct IT portfolio and a further statement of our commitment to investment in the local area.

As our client base continues to grow, it’s important that our facilities and infrastructure grow with it, all so we can maintain the high service levels that we’re known for.

Alongside being close by to the other BJS Family sites, the proximity to our vehicle partner, Renault Trucks in Tipton, means we can maintain our industry leading fleet up-time, with any routine servicing able to be planned swiftly around our requirements.”

With tonnes of waste and materials continuously on the move, a busy warehouse is an environment that places tough demands on both workers and their equipment. Almost half of transport and storage workers report suffering with backache,1 and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are actually one of the most common work-related ailments in Europe, with over 58% of workers reporting they have suffered from at least one2. MSDs are known to be painful, but what about the hurt that they can do to your business? If you consider losses in productivity, delivery delays, sick leave and even compensation, it’s easy to see how backache can quickly become a costly headache. So, what can you do to help avoid it?

Understand the risks

If you consider that one back-related MSD alone costs a company £14.5K on average3, identifying the risks and implementing preventative measures is a clear next step for promoting health and safety, protecting your staff from injury and your business against unnecessary costs.

Carrying and lifting heavy workloads are among the key physical factors that increase the risk of your employees developing MSDs. In tough environments where your team are constantly moving products and waste, your workers are particularly vulnerable.

Let your equipment take the strain

When it comes to reducing the risk of injuries, investing in the right equipment to do the heavy lifting is essential. Save crucial hours and money in the workflow by enabling your employees to transport heavy loads in one trip. If every worker saves seconds in one trip, the compounding effect over time could be substantial.

Take Rubbermaid Commercial Products’ (RCP) Wheeled BRUTE® waste container. It has been ergonomically designed to help users move waste more easily and reduce risk of injury. Thanks to an ergonomic handle that requires less force when moving heavy loads of up to 80kg, the Wheeled BRUTE® helps to prevent users from putting excessive strain on their backs and shoulders by leveraging other muscles. The neutral wrist position allows for comfortable manoeuvrability and control while the kick/tilt plate allows users to tilt the container with their foot, reducing strain on the upper body. The 6” wheels remove the need for dragging, meaning loads can be moved five times more easily4. Not just that, the Wheeled BRUTE® is adaptable, it’s not limited to carrying waste; due to it’s size and ease of transportation, it is suitable to transport a wide range of items throughout the facility.

Workers in busy distribution centres are often required to move heavy, oversized loads and often alone. The RCP Structural Foam Tilt Truck and RCP Convertible Platform Truck, allow workers to transport heavy loads with ease. Both have been designed to ensure users maintain proper posture when maneuvering and reduce body strains.

Durability to help you Buy Better, Waste Less

Equipment in a busy warehouse is going to be put through its paces daily so investing in equipment that is built to last is critical in saving your business precious time and money. By championing product longevity and investing in equipment that comes with long warranties from the manufacturer, you can be confident that you can buy better, waste less and support your sustainability credentials through minimising the need to discard and replace products frequently.

Sources:

1 Panteia based on the sixth (2015) wave of the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS)

2 Panteia based on the fifth (2010) and sixth (2015) waves of the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS)

3 Work-related musculoskeletal disorders – Facts and figures, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, converted from € to £ based on exchange rate available on 6th May 2022

4. Based on internal testing vs 44G non-wheeled BRUTE ® containe

Namibia’s state-owned Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has announced plans for a $2.1 billion port infrastructure expansion project to support the southern African country’s burgeoning energy industry.

The expansion project will involve the construction of new berths and quay walls at the country’s major port of Walvis Bay and the construction of a new port in the town of Lüderitz.

Under the plan, Namport will set aside roughly 350 hectares of land for development and will collaborate with the private sector through public-private partnership agreements, allowing companies to establish operations under a landlord port model.

“We are hoping to commence with the operation in the last quarter of next year, which will take about three years at most,” stated Namport CEO, Andrew Kanime, adding, “We are seeking private companies with technical expertise and financial resources to invest in this space.”

With offshore activity in Namibia accounting for approximately 13% of rigs working on African waters, the project will be designed to support drilling services at the country’s primary port of Walvis Bay. Meanwhile, a port at Lüderitz is poised to provide market access for the mineral-rich Northern Cape Province of South Africa.

The announcement comes after significant oil discoveries were made by supermajors, Total Energies and Shell, in Namibia’s offshore Orange Basin in 2022 and 2023, resulting in an estimated resource base of 7 million barrels of oil equivalent for the country. Namibia is expected to reach its first crude production by 2029 and is poised to become Africa’s fifth-largest oil producer by 2030.

The European Union and the United States are joining forces to support the development of a new railway line between Zambia and Angola, initiating the technical and economic justification

This is part of the Trans-African Corridor development, connecting the southern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and northwestern Zambia to regional and global trade markets via the Lobito port in Angola.

CRRC unveils a new railway train

The project was announced on the sidelines of the Global Infrastructure and Investment Partnership (GIIP) event at the G20 in India.

The Lobito Corridor presents an alternative strategic route to the export markets of Zambia and the DRC, offering the shortest path connecting the key mining regions of these two countries to the sea.

The partnership between the EU and the US will revitalize critical infrastructure in Africa south of the Sahara to unlock the “vast potential of this region,” according to a joint statement.

“We are pleased to join forces to realize economic benefits with our partners in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia.”

The partnership will pool financial resources and technical know-how to accelerate the development of the Trans-African Corridor, including investments in digital access and value-added agricultural value chains, enhancing regional competitiveness.

According to the EU, this represents a “powerful evolution of the Global Infrastructure and Investment Partnership approach to collaboration, which can be replicated in other strategic corridors around the world.”

Seabourne Logistics is excited to announce its move into a new, expansive facility in Gauteng, South Africa. The new 22 000 square metres premises signals a significant step forward for the company’s growth and operational capabilities in the country.

Located in the Eastport Logistics Park in Kempton Park on the East Rand, the move positions Seabourne as a critical player in the region’s logistics landscape. With ample space and a well-planned layout, the facility is set to enhance Seabourne’s efficiency, capacity, and ability to serve its clients.

The contemporary office and warehouse complex boasts an expansive 18 500 square metres under its roof, complete with newly installed 15-metre-high racking systems. During the initial phase, 5 600 pallet spots will be readily accessible within the racking infrastructure, while an additional 5 400 places are slated for implementation during the subsequent stage.

The new facility is a central element of Seabourne’s forward-looking growth strategy, aimed at solidifying its position as a prominent player in South Africa’s logistics sector. While the company’s current facility has come a long way since its inception in a modest 25-square-metre, today spanning nearly 8 000 square metres, Seabourne recognises the need for increased capacity to support its ambition of becoming an unparalleled “one-stop-shop” catering to diverse client needs.

The transition from a building that was not conducive to cross-docking facilities to one equipped with 10 dock levellers, 10 courier doors, and 10 warehouse handling doors represents a significant leap forward. These enhancements will have a profound impact on the company’s operations, enabling it to better serve clients and streamline logistics processes.

“This move represents a significant milestone for Seabourne as we continue to execute our active growth strategy that has been crafted to leverage every angle, from courier and e-commerce to warehousing and final mile delivery,” says David Frank, newly appointed Warehouse Executive at Seabourne.

His appointment forms part of Seabourne’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its warehousing business, and is aligned with the transition to the larger facility.

“We are well-equipped to provide seamless logistics support. Our new facility is a testament to our commitment to providing top solutions and exceptional service to our clients. The new facility moves us closer to achieving our expansion goals and improving efficiency,” says Rouche Van Der Westhuizen, Johannesburg Branch Manager.

According to Frank, the Eastport Logistics Park’s reputation for hosting some of the country’s most extensive facilities and prominent players, further bolsters Seabourne’s credibility and capacity to provide improved client services. Centrally located near the airport and all of the major highways in Gauteng, it will allow for easy access and movement.

Enhanced with top end technological systems and advanced equipment, the facility boasts a layout that facilitates current operations. It paves the way for future expansion, enabling Seabourne to adeptly meet the escalating needs of its clients and the market. Furthermore, the facility’s robust infrastructure empowers it to block stack goods at double efficiency and even triple levels, offering specialised accommodation for hazardous materials.

“We can address diverse requirements, while being aware of our storage objectives,” continues Frank. “Seabourne upholds exceptionally rigorous standards, driven not solely by profit motives, but also by the imperative to align with our reputation and uphold specific benchmarks. As a business, we pride ourselves on the relationships and partnerships we build with our clients.”

The company is scheduled to transition out of its current facility by December. To ensure minimal disruption to operations and partners’ businesses, Seabourne will gradually move its principals over weekends. “Our approach is methodical planning and a systematic schedule, with a dedicated effort from the entire team,” concludes Frank.