High cube moratorium lauded - but the battle continues

The Road Freight Association (RFA) yesterday welcomed the decision by the Department of Transport to commit to a moratorium on High Cube containers. The moratorium - in the form of a blanket exemption for all operators carrying ISO containers that will have an effect on the overall height of any vehicle exceeding 4.3 meters - was signed by Minister of Transport, S’busiso Ndebele, and published in the Government Gazette of September 20 this year.

This exemption is, however, only effective for the next seven years to 01 January 2019. In a communiqué to its members the RFA said it would continue in its efforts to have the regulation changed for a permanent allowance of this height.

Important Announcement from PortNet (Durban)

Pre-Advice for Export Containers at Durban Container Terminal

See the notice below from Port Net in regards to:

Before any export container will be accepted at the terminal, we need to hand over to the customer in order to let the shipping line know the below info in order for the haulier to stack the export container

•       Container number
•       Seal number
•       Booking ref
•      Gross weight

Fuel prices heading for record highs on rand woes

Motorists and industry should brace themselves for record high fuel prices over the next couple of months unless the rand recovers meaningfully from its current freefall.

As a result of the rand's disastrous September against the US dollar, which has seen it shed more than 15% from around 7.00 to around 8.20, under recovery in the fuel price mix will see petrol and diesel rise sharply on October 5.
According to economic think-tank Econometrix, petrol is likely to rise by 36c a litre on October 5, while diesel is expected to rise by 38c a litre. In Gauteng, petrol is likely to go up to R10.36 a litre, just shy of its all-time high price of R10.50 a litre.
The current price fixing period began on September 2 and ends on Thursday 29. By yesterday, the average under recovery for the period was 28c a litre on petrol, but yesterday's under recovery was 55c a litre. A week ago the under recovery was around 23c a litre, but this was when the rand was at 7.30 to the dollar.
"If oil stays at around current levels of $110 a barrel and the rand does not recover, we are likely to see another big rise in fuel prices in November," said Econometrix's Tony Twine.
At the current levels of the oil price and the rand, petrol and diesel would both rise by more than 20c in November. This would see petrol at around R10.60 a litre. 
However, Twine believes that the rand could stabilise or strengthen a bit after its sudden and precipitous fall, which was exacerbated by importers making final orders for the upcoming Christmas period.
Adding further grist to the inflationary mill, said Twine, is the fact that fuel retailers were still awaiting approval of a margin increase from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) which would add a further dimension to rising fuel prices.
"The Fuel Retailers Association has been looking for a margin increase of around 15c a litre. This increase did not occur in August or September, so it still has to be implemented once it has been approved by Nersa," said Twine.
If a 15c a litre margin increase is granted, petrol and diesel could both be close to R11.00 a litre before the end of the year, unless a lower oil price and a stronger rand come to the rescue.
Earlier this year, Twine delivered a presentation that outlined how pervasive crude oil's impact is throughout the South African economy.
Apart from increasing travel costs for motorists and the movement of goods and services around the country, high oil prices negatively affect the input costs of a wide range of goods with prices rises ultimately filtering through to consumers.

Source:  Business Live

Congestion at DCT (Durban port)

Traffic is building up onto Bay Head Road, and almost all the lanes are full inside.

Goodyear developing Air Maintenance Technology

Goodyear is developing Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) that basically enables tyres to remain inflated at the optimal pressure without the need for any external pumps or electronic warning devices. In fact, all components of the AMT system, including the miniature pump, will be fully contained within the tyre.
Goodyear's chief technical officer, Jean-Claude Kihn, explains it like this: “While the technology is complex, the idea behind the AMT system is relatively simple and powered by the tyre itself as it rolls down the road.”
“A tyre that can maintain its own inflation is something drivers have wanted for many years. Goodyear has taken on this challenge and the progress we have made is very encouraging.
“This will become the kind of technological breakthrough that people will wonder how they ever lived without,” Kihn continued.
Source: iol

Congestion on only access road to Durban container terminals

It has been noted that there has been congestion on Bayhead Road – the sole access to the Port of Durban’s container terminals – from Pier 1 up to Langeberg Road – and a warning has been issued to EXPECT DELAYS. Aurecon, the civil engineers on the project to widen the Bayhead Road to dual-carriageway, has asked transporters and travelers on the road to “kindly adjust your trips to and/or business activity within the Bayhead area”.
And, it stressed, this delay is not connected with the construction activities. Aurecon transportation planner, Solly Kuppan, told FTWOnline “Only urgent queries may be directed to our site client liaison officer, Matimba Ngwenya, on 078 456 8900.
“We will advise once the situation has improved.”