Technology within the world of trucking is advancing at breakneck speed. Never before have so many driver assistance systems been on offer, while connectivity and lower fuel consumption are being demanded by transport operators. Furthermore, legislators and transport operators alike agree: the truck of the future must be CO₂-free.

MAN is meeting – and even exceeding – many of these demands, with its innovative and environmentally friendly product range. And that’s precisely what visitors to the 2023 MAN Trucknology Festival came to see at the MAN Truck Forum and neighbouring test track: trucks, vans, and body solutions that all set new benchmarks within their segments.

According to Jan Aichinger, managing director of MAN Automotive South Africa, more than 7,000 festival guests from all over the world travelled to this year’s MAN Trucknology Festival. “We invited customers, body manufacturers, and members of the ‘Trucker’s World by MAN’ driver community to the exclusive event to experience around 220 trucks, vans, and body solutions first-hand,” he reveals. “All segments – from distribution and long-distance transport, construction, food, and heavy haulage to municipal and fire services – were represented across the tonnage range from 3.5 to 250 tonnes.”

Visitors were able to learn on site about sustainable and intelligent transport solutions from MAN Truck & Bus and its approximately 75 partners, including Continental, Fliegl Trailer, Humbaur, Kögel, Krone, Liebherr, Schmitz Cargobull, and Würth. “They also received detailed first-hand information on MAN Services & Solutions and current trends in the transport industry like zero emissions, digitalisation, and automation – the state of play and MAN’s contribution,” explains Aichinger.

The Togolese Minister for the Maritime Economy, Fisheries and Coastal Protection, Mr Kokou Edem Tengue, has just announced some excellent news on his social networks: the arrival at the Port of Lomé of the new tugboat promised by Boluda, a multinational company specialising in tugboats.

The new tug represents a major step forward for the Port Autonome de Lomé, and will help to increase the port’s capacity and boost its competitiveness in the region.

The official naming ceremony for the new tug is scheduled for September.

The announcement of the arrival of this new tugboat was made by Mr Antonio Bordils Montero, CEO of the multinational BOLUDA, to Minister Tengue during a meeting held on Tuesday 16 May 2023.

COMMUNITY GEARING UP FOR PROGRESS AS RENOVATED LOMÉ-COTONOU ROAD SLASHES TRAVEL TIMES
September 5, 2023 logistafrica

Matthew Antwi is a haulier and works for a Nigerian business that exports coconuts. He regularly drives the Lomé-Cotonou road from his home country Ghana to deliver the nuts to Nigeria.

“A few years ago, it took around two hours to complete all the formalities at the border and up to three hours to get to Aflao (on the border between Togo and Ghana) from the Benin-Togo border-control post,” That was because of the poor state of the section of road between Lomé and Cotonou,” recounts the driver, seated in the cab of his truck. “But now it’s been renovated, it takes between one and two hours. It’s better for me because I waste less time, and the lighting at night means I feel calmer when driving in the dark.”

Émile Elavagnon is a carpenter in the town of Togokomè, in Togo, which is served by the Avépozo-Aného section. He, too, has a history with the road: “When the works began, we had to clear the road, which meant we lost a lot of customers. But now that it’s usable, we’ve seen some really positive changes,” he grins, adding: “We now have more customers coming from Benin and Ghana, and a lot more visibility. Delivery times are shorter because the road is better. Our deliveries to Lomé used to take us an hour, but now they take a maximum of 45 minutes,” says a delighted Mr Elavagnon.

Matthew and Émile are two of the many people to benefit from the second phase of the Lomé-Cotonou Road Rehabilitation and Coastal Protection Project (https://apo-opa.info/44BmXOj). The project, funded jointly by the African Development Bank, the European Union, the West African Development Bank (BOAD), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is a vector for development, regional integration and improving the living conditions of the beneficiary populations.

The total cost of the project (US$194.89 million) was funded by the African Development Bank Group (US$39.47 million) in loans and donations from the African Development Fund and the Transition Support Facility, a donation of US$19.48 million from the European Union and contributions in the form of loans or donations from the BOAD, the IsDB and the GEF.

Works associated with renovating the road allowed the refurbishment of the medical and community centre in Agbodrafo and the secondary school in Aného (Togo), to the delight of their inhabitants. As a result, as well as improving driving conditions for hauliers and users, the project has helped improve the everyday lives of local people.

Following the renovation of the road, our business is doing well, and our living conditions are better, and that’s very motivating

Youmane Fernando Loagui, head of the laboratory at the medical and community centre in Agbodrafo, comments: “Following the refurbishment of the medical centre, staff are now working in better conditions and our ability to welcome and care for patients has improved significantly. Equipment and pharmaceutical products are stored in complete safety,” he explains, before continuing: “There’s now more space, patients feel more comfortable, and their privacy can be respected. We still remember how people used to complain about how cramped the premises were. Maintaining confidentiality was a big issue for us, particularly for patients living with HIV/AIDS, because they often want to remain anonymous. All that now belongs in the past.”

An aerial view of the Togokomè-Avépozo section of the Lomé-Cotonou road, built thanks to support from the African Development Bank, the European Union and other partners
The refurbished laboratory in Agbodrafo is attracting more people and it is now considered one of the best in the project area.

“We realise the positive impact that infrastructure can have on the living conditions of local people. Following the renovation of the road, our business is doing well, and our living conditions are better, and that’s very motivating,” comments Mr Elavagnon.

The Lomé-Cotonou Road Rehabilitation and Coastal Protection Project (Phase 2) is a flagship infrastructure project in Togo and is aligned with two of the Bank’s five strategic priorities, namely “Integrate Africa” and “Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa”.

It is contributing to enhancing the level of service in the transport logistics chain and keeping traffic flowing on the corridor between Abidjan and Lagos, as well as improving the living conditions of residents in the project’s intervention area.

The project is also strengthening the resilience to climate change of infrastructure in the coastal areas of Togo and Benin. The project provides a direct benefit to transport users and indirectly benefits 1.7 million people in the two countries.

About the African Development Bank Group:
The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is the premier multilateral financing institution dedicated to Africa’s development. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NSF). The AfDB has a field presence in 41 African countries, with an external office in Japan, and contributes to the economic development and social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

Written by Mwansa Chola ( Senior Marketer at Hazida Motors Limited)

Hazida Motors Limited celebrates 29 years of representing the world’s best commercial vehicle manufacturer, Scania in Zambia. Scania is not just a vehicle, it is a sustainable business solution that is designed for your individual business needs.

There are many reasons to choose Scania above every other option on the market but here is a little bit more to help you make a good decision.

Vehicles Made for Africa

A great challenge about vehicles that are not designed for our terrain is that you have a significant increase in costs. The cost of wear and tear, the cost of downtime and the cost of operations will become unsustainable.

Our Scania vehicles are designed with the signature ultra modular Swedish engineering precision that has been adapted to the African terrain. This ensures that you get a longer lasting vehicle, lower costs on your maintenance and more productivity.

Spare Parts

We have two fully fledged workshops strategically located in Lusaka and Kitwe for your convenience. We also have round the clock support to deliver your parts to your doorstep where required. In the unlikely event that a part is unavailable, arrangements will be made for swift delivery of parts.

In addition, we offer up to twelve (12) month warranty on all parts purchased over the counter. Contact our parts desk on WhatsApp: https://wa.me/c/260770570116

Maintenance and Repair

With almost 30 years experience we guarantee you the best quality and expertise to maintain and repair your Scania vehicles as required. Our service team is friendly, knowledgeable and ready to assist you.

You can contact our Service Desk directly on +26 0953-938-161 for more information.

Scania Assist 24/7

We have committed to all our customers the promise of a sustainable business solution. Our 24/7 rescue service, Scania Assist, is available to all our customers every hour of the day, every day of the week and every week of the year.

This service is available to all our Scania customers even as they cross borders into Eastern and Southern African countries. Our partner Scania workshops are ready to assist you wherever you may be.

We understand the value of time and we ensure that we do our best to keep your fleet on the road all the time.

Connected Services

A key element of a sustainable business is the ability to drive decision making with accurate information. Our connected services provide our customers access to real-time data and long-term trends that allow for adequate planning and management of drivers and vehicles.

Driver Training

This masterclass session teaches drivers how to maximize the use of the Scania vehicles for better results. The aim of the program is to reduce emissions, increase fuel savings, increase road safety, decrease wear on tires and powertrain, and increase the longevity of key vehicle components.

Driver training is complementary with every vehicle purchase. Ts & Cs apply.

Pre-Owned Vehicles

Buying a pre-owned vehicle from an unknown supplier is risky business. We offer a wide range of pre-owned Scania vehicles that have undergone rigorous testing and are certified for a “second life”.

We provide our clients with the best in vehicles and we do not compromise on our extensive after sales services which include the connected services, driver training, Scania Assist and more.

Scania is driving the shift to a more sustainable future and it all starts with you driving the shift to a more sustainable business model. Hazida Motors Limited is here to serve you for all your Scania needs.

Not sure if you are ready to add Scania to your fleet? Book a trial run with our Demonstrator Truck (named Griffin) for some time and experience the benefits and value of Scania for FREE. Ts & Cs apply.

Free Trial: https://linktr.ee/hazidamotors

Members of the Liebherr family, Executive Management and Newport News city officials gathered last Friday, July 20th for a groundbreaking ceremony on site in Copeland Industrial Park to celebrate the construction of the new Liebherr USA, Co. headquarters. “The commencement of this $45 million expansion project marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Liebherr in the United States. The company, that has been manufacturing and operating in Newport News, VA for over 48 years, broke ground at the site adjacent to its current location.”

The new facility will serve as the new headquarters for Liebherr USA, Co. and will include the construction of three new buildings: a state–of-the-art four-story administrative building, a carefully designed warehouse and parts distribution centre to meet current and future requirements, and a modernised production and workshop facility intended to support the company’s cranes, construction and concrete divisions. Once completed, the new buildings will add over 251,000 square feet to the existing 560,000 square foot Liebherr campus. “This investment will greatly impact the company’s operations in the US and drive Liebherr’s strategy for long-term growth.

With shovels in hand, Sophie Albrecht, Jan Liebherr, Newport News Mayor McKinley Price, Managing Directors of Liebherr USA, Co., its building partners and government officials broke ground during the ceremony. “The US is a strategic market for Liebherr and with this investment we send a clear message of commitment to our customers, employees and the local community here in
Newport News,” said Torben Reher, Managing Director of Liebherr USA, Co.