Новости за 13.01.2021

International Air Transport Association (Iata) director-general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac has criticised a number of major countries, by name, for recently adopting policies that, although intended to counter the Covid-19 pandemic, are doing great damage to the travel and tourist sector around the world. Speaking at Iata’s first Covid-19 briefing for 2021, he highlighted that these and other countries were preventing the recovery of the travel and tourist economy, destroying jobs and ...

Industrial furnace company Andritz Maerz and plant supplier SMS Group have entered into an agreement to transfer the global copper furnace business, including the related intellectual property and service activities, from Andritz Maerz to SMS. SMS states that the acquisition further strengthens its position as a system supplier in the field of nonferrous metals production.

Normally, China does not import coal from South Africa, but 2021 has seen a seismic shift. Shipments to mainland China are up 100% to around 3.7-million tonnes a year, African Source Markets’ Weekly Coal Index Report reported on Monday.

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs is of the view that the implementation of a “one-stop border post” with neighboring countries and the establishment of the Border Management Authority (BMA) will be a solution to the challenges experienced at Beitbridge, between South Africa and Zimbabwe.   “To alleviate the perpetual crisis at this border, the government must move with speed to implement an already agreed policy position to establish a one-stop border post. The tardiness in implementing ...

Any attempt by US shale and other oil producers to boost output this year will backfire and lead to lower prices, according to the energy minister of the United Arab Emirates. Oil prices have surged in the past two months with the development of coronavirus vaccines. They jumped again last week when Saudi Arabia said it would unilaterally cut crude output by 1-million barrels a day in February and March, a move the kingdom described as a “gift” to other producers.

Insects just moved a step closer to European dinner plates. Dried yellow mealworm, the larval form of the mealworm beetle, is safe for human consumption in both its whole form and as a powder additive, the European Union’s food watchdog said Wednesday.

Total and Engie plan to build France’s largest green hydrogen facility to feed the oil company’s biodiesel plant in the south of the country from 2024, provided they get subsidies to make the project viable. Steelmakers and gasoline and biofuel producers currently make the hydrogen they need from fossil fuels, emitting significant amounts of greenhouse gases in the process. Engie and Total’s project could be part of a first wave of hydrogen production facilities fueled by renewable power as Europe... Читать дальше...

Mobile operator Cell C has started migrating its customers onto telecommunication group MTN’s network. The migration of contract and broadband customers is expected to be completed within the next two months, while the phased transition of prepaid customers will be confirmed in due course.

Steel mills in northern China's Hebei province are having to find more space for inventories as transportation restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of a resurgent coronavirus prevent them from sending out products to clients. Hebei, which accounts for a quarter of China's steel capacity, has so far put three cities - its capital Shijiazhuang, Xingtai and Langfang - into lockdown since local infections leapt at the start of the year. It reported 90 new cases for Jan. 12.

To foster new opportunities for nutritious food and local livelihoods, international nonprofit research and innovation institution WorldFish has strengthened its research partnership with specialised institution the Lake Victoria Fishing Organisation (LVFO) to guide the development of sustainable aquaculture in East Africa. “The new agreement marks a step towards competitive, gender-equitable and sustainable commercial aquaculture and fisheries management in the Lake Victoria basin,” the organisation says.

DHL Global Forwarding is investing R127-million in a new facility in Johannesburg.  Aimed at cementing its position in South Africa, the new 13 000 m2 facility will be located within the bonded zone at Skyparks Business Estate, next to the OR Tambo International Airport.

The Department of Home Affairs has temporarily suspended certain activities and services until further notice, owing to the rising number of Covid-19 infections across South Africa. Services to be suspended until further notice include applications for smart identification (ID) cards, passports and marriage services such as solemnisation and registration.

Matshela Koko, the former head of generation at Eskom, told the state capture commission of inquiry that there was nothing wrong with a controversial R1.68 billion pre-payment which the power utility made to Gupta-owned Tegeta Exploration and Resources after the company clinched a coal supply deal in 2015. "I would testify here that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the transaction of the R1.68 billion pre-payment. In fact, it was the only alternative available to Eskom," Koko said, without explaining the importance of the payment.

Novatech, trading as Hesper Engineering, a ship repair and general engineering company based in Cape Town, has purchased a 51% shareholding in Swift Engineering.  Swift Engineering, now trading as SwiftNova Engineering, is a specialised fabrication company servicing the marine, energy and oil and gas sectors in the Mossel Bay area, as well as nationally.

Round three of the University of Johannesburg/Human Sciences Research Council Covid-19 Democracy survey has revealed that 53% of adults think schools should not re-open until the situation concerning the coronavirus pandemic improves. Schools are due to open on January 27 as infections continue to rise. It further revealed that 19% of adults believe that schools should re-open for grade 7 and grade 12 learners only, while another 19% think schools should re-open for all grades.

Alternative investment and fund management group TBI has concluded its first deal in South Africa through its new Amandla Renewable Energy Fund. As part of the R440-million deal, TBI, along with Momentum Metropolitan Life and Absa, refinanced the existing funding of Emvelo’s 15% stake in the Karoshoek Solar One concentrated solar power (CSP) plant by subscribing for secured redeemable preference shares in the special purpose vehicle that holds Emvelo’s interest in the plant.

Property development, management and investment company Akani Properties has won a bid to develop a R350-million hotel and conference facility, in Middelburg, in Mpumalanga.  The facility will include a 150-room hotel and a 1 000-seater capacity conference centre. The hotel will boast standard rooms and suites, gym facilities and a fully licensed restaurant and bar, besides others.

Johannesburg-based think-tank Brenthurst Foundation director Dr Greg Mills has welcomed the appointment of Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Sekyere and Professor Lyal White to the Foundation, saying their appointments will bolster the Foundation’s growing research workload across Africa. The Brenthurst Foundation, focused on economic development on the African continent, appointed Owusu-Sekyere as deputy research director and White as research associate.

Amid concerns over energy supply, the renewables sector enters a new decade with impetus to boost socioeconomic development, writes Chris Antonopoulos. South Africa has entered a new decade with much to occupy its business community. For Lekela Power, the unprecedented impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy and on the population has been one of our foremost areas of focus. But not far behind that has been the country’s energy security.