FOCUS on Transport and Logistics

6 days ago | focusontransport.co.za | Charleen Clarke

South Africa’s roads are crumbling. They are dangerous, costly, and neglected. Despite rising fuel levies, motorists and truckers are facing worsening conditions with no relief in sight. There’s no other way to describe my sentiments on this subject: I am properly gatvol. I was utterly terrified: it was 5am on a rainy Johannesburg morning and my car was marooned on the side of the road.

6 days ago | focusontransport.co.za | Charleen Clarke

At a time when global trade faces unprecedented geopolitical shocks and the finished vehicle logistics (FVL) sector is navigating declining volumes, the ECG General Assembly & Spring Congress in Cascais struck a sobering, yet forward-looking tone. CHARLEEN CLARKE reports from Portugal. Hosted by the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG), the event gathered industry leaders, economists, and technologists to unpack the state of play in a sector critical to Europe’s industrial base.

1 week ago | focusontransport.co.za | Charleen Clarke

The truck market isn’t a bed of roses. But DAF Trucks, under the stewardship of Babcock International Group, has been steadily carving out a prominent place in South Africa’s heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) market. In an exclusive interview with CHARLEEN CLARKE, Mark Gavin, sales director of DAF Trucks at Babcock, shares insights into the brand’s recent performance, sector trends, and what sets DAF apart in an increasingly competitive landscape.

1 week ago | focusontransport.co.za | Charleen Clarke

Iveco is preparing to make major strides in South Africa. CHARLEEN CLARKE flew to Madrid, Spain, to visit the company’s truck plant and conduct an exclusive interview with Shahram Falati, business director – Africa & Middle East at Iveco. He reveals that a number of significant developments are on the cards, including the establishment of a new assembly plant. Follow the money. That’s what one has to do to measure any company’s commitment to a market.

1 month ago | focusontransport.co.za | Jaco de Klerk

The pandemic highlighted the paramount importance of resilience in effective supply chains. We explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies can offer support, while also examining couriers and the world of “snail mail”. In March this year, one country’s state-run postal service announced it would cease all letter deliveries by the end of 2025, after letter volumes plummeted by 90% since the turn of the century.