Transport a logistics - Page 15

Logistics

Western Cape rolls out new BYD electric buses

One of the new BYD electric buses serving Cape Town. (Image source: GABS)

South Africa’s Golden Arrow Bus Service (GABS) is rolling out its first batch of new electric buses from China’s BYD, with more than 100 more vehicles set to arrive this year to serve the Cape Town area

In a statement this week, the Western Cape government said that it marked a milestone in the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) into the province's public transport and government fleets, with GABS leading the way.

GABS has taken delivery of the first 20 electric buses, which have now been deployed across Cape Town, following its order placed last year with BYD, one of China’s largest privately-owned enterprises.

The new buses will be followed by 100 more vehicles to be delivered during the course of 2025.

GABS has also installed 30 charging units, with two dispensers each, the largest of its kind in South Africa, which will be expanded to 60 chargers with a total of 120 dispensers during the second half of the year.

The acquisition of the new vehicles follows trials of two BYD electric buses dating back to 2021.

The capacity of the BYD electric bus is 40 passengers with the highest range up to 320 km (200 miles).

The buses are also equipped with user-friendly features, such as free WiFi and a wheelchair ramp.

“As a key role player in Cape Town’s public transport system, Golden Arrow Bus Services is leading the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by introducing electric buses into its fleet,” said Isaac Sileku, Western Cape minister of mobility.

“In the public transport sector, the shift to electric vehicles is critical to achieving sustainable mobility for commuters and creating economic opportunities and job creation in various sectors of the province.”

The bus service operated by GABS, partially funded by the Western Cape Mobility Department, is a key part of Cape Town’s public transport system, moving approximately 230,000 passengers daily.

The deal to acquire 120 buses from BYD represents an almost 10 per cent electrification of its total fleet, which remains predominantly diesel.

The province’s transport sector accounts for 28 per cent of its carbon emissions, making it a high priority for the Western Cape Government’s climate protection efforts.

Western Cape officials also flagged Government Motor Transport (GMT) which manages a set of EVs as part of its permanent fleet.

It said that this year 2.5 per cent of its fleet will comprise 'new energy vehicles', which includes hybrid electric vehciles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

The provincial government added that it is looking to appoint a service provider in the 2025/2026 financial year to accelerate the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure.

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Angola floats tenders for Cabinda and Soyo ports

Soyo Multipurpose Terminal. (Image source: Angolan Ministry of Transport)

Angola’s Ministry of Transport has invited tenders for the concession of passenger and cargo terminals at the ports of Cabinda and Soyo

Connected to Luanda and ports in neighbouring countries, Cabinda and Soyo are central hubs in maritime and river trade in Angola’s northern region, linking cities, populations and companies from different sectors, including oil, the Ministry said in a statement.

The tender covers the “Concession of the operation of port services in the maritime passenger and cargo terminals of the Port of Cabinda and in the river passenger and cargo terminals of the Port of Soyo.”

The Ministry statement noted that “this strategic initiative aims to strengthen regional logistics, improve mobility and boost the country's economic growth.”

Port of Cabinda is a key oil hub on the Atlantic coast in the Cabinda enclave, located between the Republic of Congo to the north and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the south.

Port of Soyo is located at the mouth of the Congo River, on Angola’s mainland.

Both are important hubs for the country’s strategic offshore oil and gas sector.

“In addition to the development of the cabotage sector in Northern Angola, the management of the concession will allow the creation of jobs, the improvement of freight and passenger transport logistics, and a better use of existing resources, ensuring a more competitive and sustainable operation, in line with efficiency and sustainability policies in the transport sector in Angola,” the Ministry statement added.

The move highlights a wider interest in building up Angola’s ports.

In January, AD Ports began its long-term management and development of a major multipurpose terminal and an associated logistics business in Luanda, alongside local partners.

Under a 20-year concession agreement with the Luanda Port Authority signed in April 2024, it has committed to invest US$250mn through to 2026 to modernise the terminal and to develop Noatum Unicargas Logistics, the joint venture providing integrated logistics, transport and freight forwarding services for local, regional and international clients.

Angola’s ports will face competition for business, however, with other regional states also keen to build their maritime infrastructure.

In 2021, DP World signed a collaboration agreement with the DRC government for the development of the deep-sea port at Banana, just across the river from Soyo.

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AfDB, Ethiopian Airlines sign Airport development deal

Air traffic is growing fast in Ethiopia (IMAGE SOURCE: Adobe Stock)

Ethiopian Airlines and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have signed a Letter of Intent for the development of the country’s planned Abusera International Airport project

The US$7.8bn project aims to meet growing passenger and cargo demands, reinforce Ethiopia’s position as a leading aviation hub, and stimulate regional economic growth.

The new world-class airport will be situated in Bishoftu, about 40 km from the current Addis-Ababa Bole International Airport.

Ethiopian Finance Minister Ahmed Shide said the Letter of Intent for the new “mega airport” underscored AfDB’s commitment to supporting the nation’s air transport ambitions.

Shide added that the, “Project will not only reinforce Ethiopian Airlines’ competitive edge in passenger and cargo services, but also enhance Africa’s global air connectivity and integration, solidifying the continent’s aviation hub status.”

The new Abusera International Airport will complement Ethiopia’s recently expanded Bole International Airport, which is expected to reach its annual 25 million passenger capacity limit soon.

The new infrastructure is also expected to enhance Ethiopian Airlines’ role in improving intra-African connectivity by enabling a more extensive and efficient network, and strengthening connectivity between Africa and the rest of the world.

Ethiopian Airlines Group, Africa’s largest airline, is in the process of advancing its ambitious 2035 growth strategy, which emphasises network expansion, infrastructure development, and human capital investment to enhance its global competitiveness.

In the last fiscal year, ending 30 June 2024, the airline reported record revenues of more than US$7bn, reflecting a 14 per cent year-on-year increase.

It transported 17.1 million passengers, with 13.4 million on international routes and 3.7 million domestically.

“Ethiopian Airlines is Africa’s pride, a symbol of excellence and resilience,” said Akinwumi Adesina, AfDB's president.

“The African Development Bank is fully committed to supporting this transformative flagship project, which will strengthen the continent’s aviation leadership and economic integration.”

Adesina signed the Letter of Intent with Mesfin Tasew Bekele, chief executive officer of Ethiopian Airlines Group.

Allison Transmission expands West African network

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Allision sees rising demand for automatic transmission. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

US company Allison Transmission has expanded its service network across West Africa

It has formed a new strategic partnership with Services Machinery Trucks (SMT) Ghana, a leading service provider for Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Trucks, Terex, Hitachi, Dongfeng Trucks, SDLG and Dressta.

The agreement designates SMT Ghana as an Allison Authorised Dealer.

Allison Transmission designs and manufactures propulsion solutions for both commercial and defence vehicles and is a global manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty fully automatic transmission systems.

In a statement, the company said the tie-up with SMT marks a “significant step” in the growth of its African service network.

“Based in Accra since 2012, SMT Ghana’s recognised excellence in construction, transport and mining vehicles and equipment services makes the company an ideal partner for Allison,” it said in a statement.

“This partnership will enable Allison to increase the expert technical support and service it provides across the region. The company's expertise will also help ensure access to Allison Genuine Parts, Allison Approved Fluids and extended warranty coverage.”

Allison’s authorised service network now has approximately 1,600 independent distributor and dealer locations worldwide.

The company separately announced a similar expansion of its service network in Japan, reflecting what it called a “commitment to delivering global customer support and service accessibility to the increasing fielded population of customers and applications using Allison propulsion solutions" outside North America.

"Our efforts to form new channel partnerships are part of Allison's broader strategy to bolster our global service network, which is currently comprised of approximately 1,600 independent dealer and distributor locations,” said Rohan Barua, vice-president, North America sales, global channel and aftermarket at Allison Transmission.

“As we continue to see significant growth in preference for fully automatic transmissions outside North America, strengthening our service network is key to supporting our growing global customer base.”

Barua added that the new partnerships in Japan and West Africa will ensure the company delivers in an “increasing fielded population driven by growth initiatives in Allison’s outside North America on-highway, off-Highway and defence end markets.”

Allison products are commonly used in a wide variety of applications, including on-highway vehicles (distribution, refuse, construction, agriculture, fire and emergency), buses (school, transit and coach), motorhomes, off-highway vehicles and equipment (energy, mining and construction applications) and defence vehicles (tactical wheeled and tracked).

Headquartered in Indianapolis in the USA, Allison has regional headquarters in the Netherlands, China and Brazil, alongside manufacturing facilities in the USA, Hungary and India.

Ethiopian Airlines new electric 'air taxi' service

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Archer Aviation's innovative eVTOL aircraft. (Image source: Archer Aviation)

Ethiopian Airlines has signed an agreement with Archer Aviation that could pave the way for an all-electric air taxi network across the region

Archer’s goal is to transform urban travel, replacing 60–90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10–20-minute electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low-noise and cost-competitive with ground transportation.

The initial deal will see the deployment of a fleet of so-called ‘Midnight’ aircraft to Africa’s largest carrier, under Archer’s ‘Launch Edition’ programme valued at up to US$30mn.

Archer’s Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back trips with minimal charge time between flights.

The companies will work together to over time build the air taxi network, with Archer providing the airline with a team of pilots, technicians and engineers, plus backend software infrastructure and front-end booking applications.

“We are committed to pioneering advanced air mobility solutions that enhance connectivity and drive sustainable aviation in Africa,” said Mesfin Tasew, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.

“Our partnership with Archer Aviation marks an important step in bringing cutting-edge eVTOL technology to Ethiopia. Together, we aim to redefine regional travel and create new opportunities for efficient, eco-friendly transportation.”

An electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft typically uses electric power to hover, take off and land vertically.

Archer announced its Launch Edition programme in February 2025 in an effort to create a scalable commercialisation framework for safely deploying its aircraft in early adopter markets, enabling it to demonstrate the capabilities of its Midnight aircraft and drive public acceptance.

It will now work with Ethiopian Airlines and the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority to safely operationalise Midnight.

“Last month we announced Abu Dhabi Aviation as our first Launch Edition customer — today we’re following that up with our second, Ethiopian Airlines,” said Archer’s founder and CEO Adam Goldstein.

“Africa presents an untapped opportunity with regards to advanced air mobility, with a variety of compelling use cases that we’ll be exploring together, and I’m proud to be taking a big step forward alongside Ethiopian Airlines.”

As well as faster commuting, the hope is to explore other use cases as well, such as eco-tourism.

“This partnership with Ethiopian Airlines represents a transformative step in bringing sustainable and efficient air mobility solutions to Ethiopia and the broader African market,” said Alastair Curtis, Archer’s general manager for Africa.

“We’re committed to working with forward-thinking partners to unlock the potential of eVTOL technology. This is just the beginning of a new era of aviation for Africa.”

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