Logistics

UD Trucks expands Southern African network with Zambia launch. (Image source: UD Trucks)

UD Trucks Southern Africa has officially entered the Zambian market through a strategic partnership with Imperial Motors Zambia, a member of Motus Africa

The launch took place on 1 October in Lusaka, establishing the brand’s presence at three operational locations in Lusaka, Kitwe and Solwezi.

The expansion introduces UD Trucks’ Japanese engineering heritage and international commercial vehicle expertise to Zambia, where reliable transport services are essential to economic activity. Through the partnership, UD Trucks and Imperial Motors Zambia aim to provide an integrated transport offering encompassing commercial vehicles, aftersales services and long-term customer support.

More than 90 guests attended the launch at Imperial Motors Zambia’s Kafue Road facility in Lusaka. The gathering included customers, industry representatives, media and senior executives from UD Trucks and Motus Africa. Fredrick Mwalusaka, Permanent Secretary at Zambia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics, attended as Guest of Honour and participated in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The market entry reflects the companies’ shared ambition to establish a sustainable presence in Zambia and support businesses across the country’s key industries with dependable commercial transport solutions.

UD Trucks strengthens its Southern African presence

Zambia represents a strategic addition to UD Trucks Southern Africa’s regional network as the company seeks to expand its reach across important African markets.

The launch builds on the introduction of UD Trucks in Malawi in 2025 through Motus Africa, extending the collaboration between the two organisations and opening new opportunities to serve Zambian transport operators.

Demand for dependable commercial vehicles remains important across mining, agriculture, construction, logistics and distribution. Businesses operating in these sectors require vehicles that can withstand challenging working conditions, alongside services that help maintain fleet availability and manage operating costs.

UD Trucks’ approach centres on providing more than vehicles, combining product performance with an understanding of customers’ operational requirements and the support needed throughout the vehicle ownership cycle.

Filip Van den Heede, Managing Director of UD Trucks Southern Africa, said:

“The official launch of UD Trucks in Zambia represents another significant milestone in our ambition to strengthen our presence across Southern Africa and contribute to the development of Africa’s commercial transport sector,” said Filip Van den Heede, Managing Director of UD Trucks Southern Africa.

“Zambia is an important market, and our partnership with Imperial Motors Zambia provides a strong foundation for building the UD Trucks brand locally. By combining our Japanese engineering heritage and global expertise with an established local partner’s market knowledge and customer relationships, we are creating the platform to deliver dependable transport solutions and long-term value.

“Our ambition goes beyond introducing our products to a new market. It is about building lasting customer relationships, investing in the capabilities needed to support their operations and going the extra mile to help businesses move forward.”

Total transport solutions extend beyond vehicle sales

For Zambian fleet owners and transport operators, the partnership is intended to deliver support across the entire vehicle lifecycle, from selecting and acquiring suitable trucks to maintenance, servicing and ongoing technical assistance.

Graham Kolm, SSA Markets General Manager: Trucks Southern Africa, highlighted the importance of matching vehicle capabilities with the practical demands of customers’ businesses.

“For businesses operating in demanding industries, a truck is much more than a vehicle. It is a critical business asset, and its performance, availability and operating costs directly influence productivity and profitability.

“Ultimate Dependability is about understanding that responsibility. Through our partnership with Imperial Motors Zambia, we want to help customers identify the right solutions for their operations and support them in maximising uptime, improving operational efficiency and achieving long-term value. Our role is to work alongside our customers, going the extra mile to help keep their businesses moving.”

By integrating vehicle supply with aftersales support, the companies aim to help customers improve fleet utilisation, reduce operational disruptions and achieve greater value over the operating life of their vehicles.

Imperial Motors Zambia brings local market experience

Imperial Motors Zambia contributes 12 years of experience in the country’s automotive sector. Adding UD Trucks to its portfolio expands its commercial vehicle offering and reinforces its involvement in Zambia’s transport industry.

As part of Motus Africa, the business combines local market knowledge and established customer relationships with access to a broader regional automotive network. This provides a foundation for developing the UD Trucks brand and expanding the technical and service capabilities required by commercial vehicle customers.

Tim Jaques, Chairman of Imperial Motors Zambia and CEO of Motus Africa, highlighted the company’s continued commitment to the Zambian market. The addition of UD Trucks complements its existing brands, including Nissan, OMODA and JAECOO, while supporting its ambition to broaden its vehicle offering and continue investing in facilities, personnel and customer service.

Christophe Henning, General Manager of Imperial Motors Zambia, said the launch marked an important development for the company.

“The introduction of UD Trucks is an exciting new chapter for Imperial Motors Zambia. We are proud to partner with a commercial vehicle brand whose heritage in Japanese engineering and commitment to reliability align with our ambition to deliver quality products and customer support.

“Our focus is on building lasting relationships with Zambian businesses and becoming a trusted transport partner. We recognise that our responsibility extends well beyond the initial vehicle purchase. Customers need dependable products, access to genuine parts, skilled technicians and professional aftersales support throughout their vehicles’ operating lives.

“Through this partnership, we are committed to developing the local capabilities and customer relationships that will support the long-term growth of UD Trucks in Zambia.”

Investment in local facilities, skilled personnel, genuine parts and technical support will be central to the partnership’s efforts to build customer confidence and provide consistent service throughout the ownership journey.

Commercial transport investment supports Zambia’s economic ambitions

The launch also highlighted the connection between reliable commercial transport and Zambia’s broader economic development priorities.

Mr Fredrick Mwalusaka, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, attended the event as Guest of Honour. In his address, he emphasised the importance of transport and logistics in facilitating trade and supporting industries such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing.

He also highlighted Zambia’s potential to strengthen its position as a regional transport and logistics hub, with efficient movement of goods within the country and across international borders remaining an important consideration.

The event brought together public- and private-sector stakeholders to discuss the role of commercial transport investment in supporting business activity and economic development.

For UD Trucks, the Zambian market offers an opportunity to contribute through its commercial vehicle range, local distribution partnership and commitment to customer support.

UD Trucks targets long-term growth in Zambia

With operations established in Lusaka, Kitwe and Solwezi, UD Trucks and Imperial Motors Zambia have created an initial network to serve customers across key commercial transport markets.

Over the next three to five years, Imperial Motors Zambia aims to grow its UD Trucks customer base, strengthen the brand’s market position and continue developing its facilities, technical capabilities and aftersales services in response to customer requirements.

The expansion also supports UD Trucks Southern Africa’s wider strategy to build a stronger regional network and extend its total transport solutions offering to more customers across Southern Africa.

The partnership’s long-term performance will depend on its ability to provide reliable vehicles, responsive service and practical solutions that help businesses maintain productivity and manage operating costs.

Drawing on UD Trucks’ Japanese engineering heritage and its commitment to Ultimate Dependability, the companies aim to establish lasting relationships with Zambian transport operators and support the continued development of the country’s commercial transport sector.

Transnet sets world record with 696-Wagon freight train

Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) has set a new global benchmark in freight rail operations after safely running a 696-wagon empty train along the Iron Ore Export Line from Saldanha to the Northern Cape.

The train reached Loop 18 on 18 October 2026, completing the longest train movement ever assembled and operated on the corridor and establishing a new world record for freight rail operations.

Beyond the record itself, the achievement highlights the engineering capabilities, operational expertise and technological innovation underpinning the Iron Ore Export Line, one of the world's leading heavy-haul rail systems. The exercise also generated technical insights that could inform the future development of rail operations.

The initiative brought together TFR's Train Design Technology and Operations teams, Transnet Engineering, the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) and the Railway Safety Regulator. Conducted as a dynamic train evaluation programme, the operation aimed both to establish a world record and to deepen technical understanding of train design, handling and operational performance.

The train consisted of 696 empty CR13/14 wagons operating in a Radio Distributed Power (RDP) configuration. It was hauled by a combination of Class 15E electric and Class 43D diesel-electric locomotives. The RDP system enables locomotives positioned at different points along the train to function in synchronisation, distributing traction and braking forces in a controlled manner across its entire length.

Expansion expected to reduce vessel turnaround times by up to 50% and enable simultaneous handling of two Post-Panamax vessels. (Image source: DP World)

Since beginning operations in 2021, DP World has invested more than US$260mn in upgrading and modernising its terminal at the Port of Luanda

Over the past five years, annual container throughput has nearly doubled, rising from 177,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to more than 350,000 TEUs. This growth has been supported by an additional 28,000m² of yard space.

To strengthen its handling capacity, DP World acquired two additional Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs) and an extra empty handler this year, increasing its fleet to eight MHCs. The terminal has also expanded its refrigerated container connections, increasing reefer plugs from 630 to 700.

During the inauguration of its new terminal building at the Port of Luanda, DP World announced a further US$90mn investment over the next two years. The funding will support additional infrastructure, equipment and operational improvements. Planned works include extending the quay by 222 metres and expanding the operating area by 10 hectares, raising the terminal’s design capacity to 1.2 million TEUs.

The expansion will also involve the acquisition of three Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes and 12 semi-automated rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes. These additions will enable the terminal to handle two Post-Panamax vessels simultaneously, strengthening Luanda’s position as a container gateway for Central Africa and a major trade hub in sub-Saharan Africa.

The project is also expected to support local employment and industrialisation, enhance export competitiveness and encourage foreign investment, while facilitating more sustainable regional trade flows.

Mohammed Akoojee, CEO and managing director, Africa, DP World, said, “The expansion of DP World Luanda is an important milestone both for Angola and for the wider region. The ability to handle larger vessels will support new shipping services and strengthen the terminal’s potential as a gateway for West and Central Africa. Our investment will improve the efficiency and sustainability of trade flows, giving customers greater reliability, shorter turnaround times and improved access to global markets, and reinforcing Angola’s prominent role within our regional and global logistics network.”

Paco Pinzon, CEO, DP World Luanda, stated, “Having our concession extended to 2051 demonstrates our long-term commitment to Angola and its future as a leading regional trade gateway. Our continued investments will create a more efficient and competitive experience for our customers, while supporting Angola’s ambitions to strengthen trade connectivity, diversify the economy and become a continental logistics hub. The expansion will benefit the entire logistics ecosystem, and we will continue to create opportunities, strengthen regional connectivity and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Angola.”

Metal Shark 38 Defiant patrol boat (Image source: Metal Shark)

US-based boatbuilder Metal Shark is to supply new coast guard vessels for Cameroon

The Louisiana company has been awarded two US Coast Guard Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts to produce patrol boats for the maritime forces of Cameroon, as well as the Republic of Georgia.

Each contract includes a Metal Shark 38 Defiant patrol boat, transport trailer, spare-parts package and operator training, with the vessels to be constructed at Metal Shark’s yard in Jeanerette, Louisiana.

“These awards mark Metal Shark’s entry into two new markets while delivering new capabilities that will modernise the maritime fleets of Cameroon and Georgia,” said Metal Shark’s senior vice president of international business development, Henry Irizarry.

The welded-aluminium 38 Defiant is a proven patrol vessel designed to support coastal patrol, maritime interdiction, port security, search and rescue and other security missions.

Initially proven in service with the US Navy and US Coast Guard, the boat now works across 70 countries in Africa and other locations in Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

The vessel combines high-speed performance and responsive manoeuvrability with Metal Shark’s signature Defiant-series pilothouse, which provides enhanced visibility and all-weather crew protection, and can be configured with multiple propulsion systems.

Chris Allard, Metal Shark’s CEO, said the awards demonstrate growing international demand for capable, proven and supportable patrol platforms.

“Metal Shark is well positioned to meet that demand, and we remain focused on expanding our global reach, entering new markets, and delivering long-term value to the United States and its partner nations.”

The vessels and associated support packages will help Cameroon strengthen maritime law-enforcement capabilities, protect territorial waters and critical infrastructure, and respond more effectively to any evolving regional security challenges.