Transnet is currently under significant scrutiny due to the recent Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) which ranked South Africa’s ports among the lowest of 405 evaluated worldwide. The challenges faced by the country’s ports have been further exacerbated by inclement weather conditions, impacting their operational efficiency. The latest Cargo Movement Update (CMU), prepared by Business Unity South Africa and the South African Association of Freight Forwarders, highlighted a significant week-on-week decline in container handling capacity, dropping from 8,244 to 5,737 containers daily. This 30.3% decrease in throughput capacity is attributed primarily to extreme weather conditions and equipment breakdowns, which have severely disrupted port operations.

The Port of Durban, one of the major ports in South Africa, experienced closures to incoming traffic due to adverse weather conditions. Additionally, the Eastern Cape ports faced operational challenges due to strong winds and vessel ranging, further impacting the overall efficiency of port operations. These disruptions come at a time when the global sea freight industry is grappling with intensified capacity shortages. The container shipping market has been particularly affected, with notable issues such as Maersk ceasing operations of a trans-Pacific service just eight weeks after its commencement, and nearly 50% of westbound Asia-Europe sailings failing to meet their scheduled departure times due to ongoing port congestion in Southeast Asian hubs.

Amid these capacity challenges, global freight rates have continued to rise for the ninth consecutive week, with a 13% increase recorded last week. Since the end of March, the Shanghai Containerized Freight Index has seen a 76% increase, with no signs of decline in the near future. The containership charter market also remains strong, with rates increasing by 10% last week, further compounding the challenges faced by the global supply chain sector.

In response to these manifold challenges, public sector ocean freight executives in South Africa and beyond have criticized the World Bank’s latest CPPI. Locally, a logistics principal who requested anonymity suggested that the CPPI does not provide a fair comparison, as it lumps together ports with vastly different sizes and service-related dynamics. This critique raises questions about the validity and accuracy of the World Bank’s data metrics, especially given the institution’s disclaimer that it cannot guarantee the accuracy of its research.

The criticism highlights a broader issue within the global port performance assessment framework. The varying conditions and operational contexts of different ports make it difficult to create a standardized measure that accurately reflects the performance and efficiency of each port. This disparity is evident in the case of South African ports, which are facing unique challenges that are not necessarily comparable to those faced by ports in other regions.

The current situation underscores the need for more nuanced and context-specific evaluations of port performance. While the CPPI provides a useful benchmark, it should be complemented with other assessments that take into account the specific conditions and challenges faced by individual ports. This approach would provide a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of port performance, helping to identify areas for improvement and inform targeted interventions.

The current CPPI ranking has highlighted the serious difficulties that South African ports confront, which are made worse by bad weather and equipment failures. Complicating matters further are the wider problems plaguing the global maritime freight business, such as declining capacity and growing freight rates? The necessity for more complex evaluations that take into account the distinctive circumstances of various ports is brought up by criticisms of the CPPI’s methodology. To guarantee effective and reliable port operations, addressing these issues would call for a coordinated effort from all supply chain sector players.

DP World is pleased to announce that its Market Access Consumer business, Deep Catch Group, has opened a world-class cold storage facility, Lusaka Commercial Cold Store (LCCS), in Lusaka, Zambia. The LCCS is a groundbreaking project that is set to revolutionise the cold storage industry in Zambia and provide cold storage solutions to local clients, principals and customers.

The facility is the first of its kind in the country and will offer state-of-the-art cold storage facilities to meet the needs of local meat, poultry, and fish producers, as well as the thriving hospitality and retail sectors.

Deep Catch, a diversified and vertically integrated business engaged in the wholesale, distribution, and cold storage of perishable foods, has a proven track record of providing strategic cold storage solutions in South Africa and Namibia, and is now extending this solution to Zambia.

Mohammed Akoojee, CEO & MD: sub-Saharan Africa at DP World, said: “This is a significant milestone for DP World in Southern Africa. The LCCS is set to transform the cold storage environment in Zambia by enhancing the availability and quality of locally produced and imported perishable products. Given its strategic location, advanced infrastructure and commitment to excellence, the LCCS will undoubtedly play a vital role in driving economic growth and the seamless flow of goods in Zambia.”

The LCCS is built to accommodate Zambia’s unique climate and boasts various dedicated areas, including a bulk freezer section, a chiller store, a dry goods storage area, and a processing zone for food handling. The facility will also incorporate a receiving and dispatch area, complete with efficient mobile and static pallet handling systems. Once fully operational, the LCCS will have the capacity to accommodate up to 5,500 pallets distributed across the freezer, chiller and dry storage sections. This expansive capacity ensures that businesses relying on cold storage solutions can effectively manage their inventory and meet the demands of their respective industries and customers.

Bruce Denyer, Head of Market Access Consumer: sub-Saharan Africa at DP World, said: “The development of the LCCS is in line with Deep Catch’s expansion strategy to establish a strong cold chain footprint in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region. The LCCS will play a pivotal role in facilitating the efficient importation of affordable protein products, while simultaneously supporting local food producers in reaching their markets. This world-class facility will adhere to the highest industry standards and provide exceptional logistics support to our customers.”

By providing integrated end-to-end logistics, and leveraging our global footprint and unrivalled infrastructure, DP World is reimagining the global supply chain. We are building better ways to bring goods to more people, by making the flow of trade smarter, faster, and more sustainable, ensuring we can all thrive in ways we never thought possible. By improving the efficiency of moving local goods across the globe, DP World is actively contributing to regional economic growth and changing what’s possible for Africa and her people.

The Namibia Port of Walvis Bay is about to make one of the most important strides in its modern history as it prepares for its container handling operations to come under private management from Terminal Investment Limited, aka TiL. This much-anticipated concession, expected to start during the second quarter of 2023, will now begin on October 1, 2024, after Namport and TiL conclude the details of their joint venture, Terminal Investment Namibia (TiN).

Privatizations of container handling at Walvis Bay were thus prompted by the need for private capital to develop infrastructure, improve efficiency, and boost volumes of cargo moved. The modernization of the port channel and the purchase of new equipment with advanced systems will put the TiN in a position where the port becomes competitive and capable of accommodating big vessels.

Although the cargo volume growth at the port has been more sluggish than anticipated, analysts in the industry note that the privatization and the improvement in infrastructure will spur activities. The acquisition of Bolloré Africa Logistics by MSC, further enhanced by the creation of Africa Global Logistics, is bound to give TiN the edge it needs in the broader market.

The concession agreement with TiN is foreseen to further solidify Namibia’s role as a vital logistics hub in Southern Africa. More shipping connectivity, more vessel traffic, and the capability for container handling will increase the volume of cargo handled and generally enhance the efficiency of the operations at the port.

This move follows the privatization of Walvis Bay’s container handling operations and the expansion of the Port of Lobito from its sister country, Angola. The Lobito Corridor also presents a very short transport route from the port into the Copper Belt and has, therefore, received considerable industrial interest.

As if to respond to this perceived incursion by the Lobito Corridor, the Walvis Bay Corridor Group has called for the development of a new North-West Corridor through Namibia. The road infrastructure to support this route is still under construction and faces delays.

This concession agreement represents a milestone between Namport and TiL for the Port of Walvis Bay as it leverages private capital and expertise to make the port more competitive, attracting cargo to contribute toward Namibia’s economic growth.

Let us help you plant the seeds of success now, so you can reap the rewards in 2025. In today’s fast-paced business landscape, having a well-crafted marketing plan is essential. As we approach 2025, businesses that want to thrive, not just survive, need to plan proactively.

Why is a comprehensive marketing plan crucial for your business’s success in 2025?

Navigating a Competitive Market:
The marketplace is more crowded than ever, and without a clear strategy, your brand could get lost. A marketing plan helps define your unique selling points, understand your target audience, and position your brand effectively.

Maximizing Your Marketing Budget:
Budgets can be tight, especially for small to mid-sized businesses. A strategic plan ensures that every dollar contributes to your goals. By planning ahead, you can allocate resources efficiently and optimize your ROI.

Adapting to Changing Consumer Behaviors:
Consumer behavior evolves constantly. With a solid plan, you can stay ahead of these shifts by analyzing trends and adjusting your strategies to ensure your marketing remains relevant.

Setting Clear, Achievable Goals:
A marketing plan helps you set measurable objectives, whether it’s increasing brand awareness or boosting sales. It creates a roadmap to guide your team toward success.

Enhancing Collaboration and Communication:
A marketing plan fosters collaboration across departments, ensuring everyone is aligned with your business goals. Regular performance reviews and check-ins help keep your team agile.

Building a Strong Brand Identity:
Your brand identity is at the core of your marketing efforts. A consistent, well-defined brand voice and message across channels builds recognition and trust with your audience.

Measuring Success and Identifying Opportunities:
A plan includes metrics to measure your success. By analyzing data, you can refine your strategies, capitalize on opportunities, and continually improve.

Plan Today, Succeed Tomorrow

2025 is approaching fast, and businesses need a strong marketing strategy to navigate future challenges and opportunities. Don’t fall behind—start planning today.

At Ardor Consulting, we specialize in creating tailored marketing plans that deliver results. With over 15 years of experience, we offer expert consulting to help you build a plan that aligns with your goals and maximizes your potential.

Contact us today at nelson@logisticsafricanmagazine.co.za to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a prosperous 2025. Let’s work together to create a strategy that propels your business forward.

With their incredible capabilities, jack-up systems have transformed heavy construction projects. From bridge construction to mining and shipbuilding, these hydraulic systems excel at lifting and lowering heavy loads with precision.

Read on to discover the benefits of Jack-up Systems, hear from satisfied users, view our video, and explore applications in our image gallery.

Jump to a section:

• When are Jack-up Systems Used?
• Jack-up System Overview
• Video
• User Comments
• Project Gallery
• Jack-up Systems Compared
• Summary

When are Jack-up Systems Used?
Enerpac Jack-up Systems are used extensively in construction projects – especially for bridges, for example whenever a deck section needs lifting or lowering. They can also be used in other industries too, such as mining, shipbuilding, dockyards, and decommissioning. The type of projects best suited to jack-up systems are those requiring the following:

• Multi-point lifting and lowering
• Ability to lift large and heavy loads weighing up to 3,360 tons (30,000 kN)
• Quick and easy mobilization
• Synchronized lifting and travel
• A system that fits where space or access is restricted
• When lifting the load from below (with header beams)
• When lifting the load from above (less often, and using slings)
• When the load has a large footprint
• When both speed and high accuracy are needed
• When it is important to lock the load mechanically

Jack-up System Overview
A jack-up system is a hydraulically powered solution for multi-point lifts. A typical setup includes four jack-up units positioned under each corner of a load. Unlike alternative systems that employ wooden cribbing blocks, they use steel barrels that are inserted, raised, and stacked to create lifting towers, enabling incremental lifting of the load.

Key Features
The essentials of a typical jack-up system are the four units, the software application, the smartbox software interface, steel barrels, and the top barrel which incorporates a swivel. Trolleys and tracks to enable horizontal travel are optional and can be controlled remotely.

Within each lifting unit are four powerful hydraulic cylinders, a cabinet housing the electrics, and the barrel insertion system, which depending upon the model, fetches the barrel automatically.

What Benefits Do Jack-up Systems Offer?
Put simply, a jack-up system provides accurate and synchronized multi-point lifting of large and heavy loads – typically those that need lifting from below. One alternative to this is using cranes, which usually take longer to mobilize and require more space. A second alternative is to use climbing jacks (stage lifts), but compared to a jack-up system, they do not provide the same safe lift heights, or resistance to sideload. Furthermore, the climbing jacks rely on cumbersome and unsustainable tropical hardwood cribbing blocks.

The benefits of a Jack-up System are summarized below:

• Allows lifting and lowering from below
• Lift towers can be built to reach impressive heights: e.g. 135ft (36m) can be reached when used with a suitable bracing system.
• Software controlled to provide synchronized accurate multi-point lifting and balance of the load
• Ideal for challenging access projects – e.g. can be installed on barges for bridge projects
• Small footprint of each unit
• Safe mechanical locking
• Self-contained hydraulics in each unit prevents a cluttered working area
• Fast and simple to transport and set up

On many bridge construction projects, cranes are sometimes the best and only option for moving heavy items around a site. But there are many situations when alternative equipment is needed.

The limitations of cranes for bridge construction include:

Poor Accessibility: A generous amount of space is needed to position and operate a crane, which can be difficult in areas with limited access or tight spaces.
Height restrictions: Cranes lift the load from above, so the height of cranes limits their usefulness on projects involving overhead obstacles, such as cables or underneath a roof structure.
Weight restrictions: Cranes have capacity restrictions that can limit their ability to lift very heavy bridge components.
Weather conditions: Strong winds, heavy rain, or extreme temperatures affect the stability and safety of crane operations, making it difficult to work in certain conditions.
Cost: Cranes can be expensive to rent or purchase, and their high operating costs can add up quickly.
What are the alternatives to cranes?
Precise lifting and positioning are crucial during bridge and highway construction. While cranes are the mainstay of many projects, in some cases the use of a crane is impractical or simply too expensive, especially due to the extensive transportation logistics required to get all crane parts to the construction site.

Various alternative lifting systems exist and are proving increasingly efficient, these include:

Hydraulic Strand Jacks: Compact, easy to transport, and powerful enough to lift loads of over 3,000 tonnes without difficulty.

Hydraulic Gantries: Using four or more telescopic legs and beams that allow heavy loads to be lifted vertically, and along a track when required.

Jack-Up Systems: Lifting loads in successive stages using spacers, called “barrels”, stacked together to form lifting towers t0 mechanically support the load.

If you intend to use a hydraulic gantry to lift a heavy load, the most obvious thing to note is the weight of the load. You will then be able to determine if your gantry has the capacity to get the job done.

Seems easy enough? Well, there’s more to it than you might think.

If your gantry has the right capacity and can be configured to accommodate the length and breadth of the load, you’re on the right track – but there’s still another important factor to consider: the center of gravity of the load (CoG).

If the CoG is not central to the load, and if the load is close to the gantry’s capacity limit this becomes increasingly more important. It can be the difference between success and failure.

Gantry Capacities Explained
When we look at the SL400 Hydraulic Gantry, this has a maximum total capacity of 400 tons, which is shared across the 4 units. Therefore, we know that each individual unit has a maximum capacity of 100 tons. Note that with a telescopic gantry, this is the capacity at the first (lowest) stage, it will be much less at the fully extended third stage.

The maximum capacity figure applies when the CoG of the load stays central to the footprint of the gantry. The images below illustrate the point. In Fig 4 a single leg is bearing most of the load which will cause overload.

Center of Gravity of a Load: Hydraulic Gantry Examples
load with even center of gravity with gantry
Fig 1: The load suspended by a gantry with the load spread evenly across the four leg units.
offset center of gravity load with gantry
Fig 2: Here we see a load positioned centrally within the gantry’s footprint, but when the center of gravity of a load is offset this means two of the legs are bearing extra load.
side shift gantry center of gravity
Fig 3: This shows a load with a centralized CoG. Caution is needed because side shift units are being used and the result is that two legs are to bearing extra load
gantry overload center of gravity
Fig 4: OVERLOAD! One leg is bearing most of the load

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Using Side Shift Units with a Hydraulic Gantry
As we can see above, side-shifting has the potential to overload a gantry leg, even if the total load is within the gantry’s capacity. This is especially true as the length of the beams increase – the longer the beams or length of the object, the larger this unwanted effect is.

Center of Gravity of a Load: Key Takeaways

• Always make sure you know all details of the load, instead of just the total weight.
• When the load is offset, and/or you are using side shift units, a larger capacity gantry may be needed.
• Be aware that an off-center CoG and/or side-shifting can result in overload.
• Remember to take the weight of the header beams and rigging into account in your calculations.
• If in doubt about the application, or the correct gantry size, please contact your Enerpac Heavy Lifting Technology Specialist.

What Is Accelerated Bridge Construction?
Accelerated bridge construction (ABC), is a quicker and smarter way to build and install bridges by minimizing the disruption caused by road and waterway closures.

With an estimated quarter of the bridges in the United States in need of repair or replacement, it’s no surprise the ABC approach to bridge construction is becoming more widely adopted.

In addition to time-saving, accelerated bridge construction provides other benefits too. Compared to traditional methods, ABC uses more effective planning, design, and procurement methods. The result of this is improved public and worker safety, and bridges that last for longer without the need for maintenance.

The Main Aspects of Accelerated Bridge Construction

Source: Accelerated Bridge Construction Technologies: FHAW Every day Counts Initiative
A simple way to understand ABC is to split the activities into the five main aspects as shown in the United States FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) Every Day Counts Initiative:

Foundation and Wall Elements – Simplified continuous process piles cast-In-place (ACIP) piles, Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System, Prefabricated Pier Cofferdams, Rapid Embankment Construction.
Fast Track Contracting – Different models of contracting that combine the parties involved. For example, Design and Build – with early contractor input into design decisions.
PBES (Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems) – Fabricating elements in a controlled environment off site for assembly at the bridge location. Described in more detail later in this article.
Structure Placement Methods – Transporting and moving the elements into position.
Why Accelerated Bridge Construction is Faster
ABC involves manufacturing large components and modules offsite and transporting them to the bridge location for quick installation. Depending upon the project and type of bridge, the installation can typically last just a few hours or 2 to 3 days.

By comparison, conventional bridge construction methods do not center around the objective of reducing construction time. Instead, they rely on sequential time-consuming stages, such as casting concrete in place, and adding reinforcing steel – often held up by weather conditions.

Measuring the Effectiveness of Accelerated Bridge Construction
There are two main metrics used to measure time in accelerated bridge construction projects:

Onsite Construction Time. From when the first contractor makes alterations to the job site until all the construction-related equipment is removed. Includes materials, equipment, personnel, and traffic control.

Mobility Impact Time. The period of time when traffic flow is impacted because of the project. This is categorized using 6 tiers.

Tier 1: Traffic impacts within 1 day
Tier 2: Traffic impacts within 3 days
Tier 3: Traffic impacts within 2 weeks
Tier 4: Traffic impacts within 1 month
Tier 5: Traffic impacts within 3 months
Tier 6: Overall project schedule is significantly reduced by months to years

traffic jam bridge construction
Total project time is a metric that gets less attention than the other two. This is because all bridge projects need planning – regardless of the construction methods used. The total project time is calculated from when project planning begins until all construction work is completed.

Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES)
Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES) are the components of a bridge made either off-site or nearby. From a project management perspective, these items are not on the critical path so do not affect the construction time. Advanced design and high-performance materials used under controlled environmental conditions ensure long-term durability, high quality, and safety.

Example Prefabricated Elements Used in ABC
Deck Elements
Beam Elements
Pier Elements
Abutment and Wall Elements
Superstructure Systems – Deck and primary supporting members.
Total Bridge Systems: The entire superstructure and substructures. (Rolled/launched/slid/lifted into place).
Structure Placement Methods and Equipment
The size and weight of the elements in accelerated construction projects can be considerable. Cranes are still used for bridge construction, but there are many other types of heavy lifting technologies used – each with its own merits.

Equipment Type by Application
Strand Jacks

A strand jack has a much smaller footprint than a crane and provides greater precision. Also, a single operator can control several strand jacks synchronously via computerized control from a central location.

Strand Jacks work by lifting the load from above, which makes them especially useful when constructing a bridge over a waterway. The case study below describes how strand Jacks were used to lift 11 deck sections during the construction of the Golden Horn Metro Bridge in Istanbul.

Strand Jacks Bridge Case Study
Strand Jack Product Specs
Jack Up Systems
A Jack Up System uses hydraulics to lift incrementally from below the load. A typical setup includes four or more jack-up units, one positioned at each corner the load. Enerpac Jack-Up units contain four hydraulic cylinders in each unit to lift and stack strong steel boxes. These automatically slide into position to support the load and form lifting towers. Lifting speed depends upon the model chosen, but this is generally between 5 and 20 feet per hour. A Jack Up System is ideal in situations where overhead cables prevent lifting from above.

The following case study describes how a Jack Up System played a key part during the construction of helped the Fore River Bridge in Massachusetts, US. Using an Enerpac Jack Up System helped to ensure minimal disruption to vehicle and boat traffic.

Jack Up System Case Study
Jack Up Systems Specs
Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs)
These are high-capacity and highly maneuverable transport trailers. Unlike trucks, SPMTs are self-propelled from the onboard hydraulic power pack. They are ‘modular’ because two more can be connected to transport longer loads.

The example below shows a bridge deck being moved into position using Enerpac Cube Jacks mounted onto an SPMT.

SPMT (Self Propelled Modular Transporter) with Enerpac SCJ100 Cube Jacks for positioning a bridge deck.
Horizontal Skidding Systems
Skidding Systems provide the ability to slide large segments by minimizing the force needed to push bridge segments into place. They work using push-pull hydraulic cylinders and pre-constructed tracks covered with low friction PTFE-coated pads.

A good example showing a skidding system used for Accelerated Bridge Construction is when a new bridge structure over the Holbrook Canal was built adjacent to the original bridge. It was temporarily used as a detour while the deficient bridge was demolished and later slid into the position using a skidding system.