KAMAZ CONQUERS DAKAR - Focus on Transport
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ISSUE 2 2020 | R120.00
on transport an d logist ics
fo c u s o n t ra n s p o rt.co. z a
KAMAZ
CONQUERS DAKAR
Russi an brand takes title for 17 th time
WAR EH OU SI N G ’S
C HANGI N G FACE
New concepts in service
parts logistics
A LT ERNATI V E
F U ELS
Time to re-evaluate
the options
H AZARD OU S PREV ENTATIV E
CARG O M AINTENANC E
Why adhering to A guide to maximising
regulations saves lives truck uptime!
FOCUS ON TRANSPORT c
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d FOCUS ON TRANSPORT
ISSUE 2 2 0 2 0
contents
PAGE PAGE PAGE PAGE
8 14 16 18
Fi g ht in g WAR E H O USING’S ALTERNATIVE FUELS PREVENTATIVE
T RA N S P O RT C R I M E C H AN GI N G FAC E Time for South Africa to MAINTENANCE
Fesarta joins forces with a New concepts in service re-evaluate options A guide to maximising truck
forensic investigator parts logistics uptime!
PAGE PAGE PAGE PAGE
20 24 26 30
H A Z A RD OU S CARG O SPOTLIGHT ON FO R D INVA DE S M IGHT Y
Why adhering to regulations AFRICA E URO P E P OW E R FUL!
saves lives Biggest changes facing Ford Trucks tackles the World’s biggest hydrogen-
the continent’s transport Seven Sisters in their own powered truck in
industry backyard development
Published monthly by Charmont Media Global EDITORIAL DIRECTOR PUBLISHER
Unit 17, Northcliff Office Park, 203 Beyers Naude Charleen Clarke Tina Monteiro
Drive, Northcliff, 2195. Cell: 083 601 0568 Cell: 082 568 3181
COVER P O Box 957, Fontainebleau, 2032, South Africa charleen@focusontransport.co.za tina@focusontransport.co.za
Kamaz takes the Tel: 011 782 1070 | Fax: 011 782 1073 /0360 womanonwheelsza
Dakar Rally title
for the 17th time.
Editor CONTRIBUTORS PRINTING
See page 6 Wynter Murdoch Mike Fitzmaurice Camera Press
Cell: 082 453 9794 Carol Holness
wynter@charmont.co.za Vaughan Mostert © Copyright. No articles or
photographs may be reproduced,
SUB-EDITOR ADVERTISING SALES in whole or in part, without specific
Jeanette Lamont Atish Ramachul written permission from the editor.
jeanette@charmont.co.za Cell: 061 320 2210
REGULARS atish@focusontransport.co.za
JOURNALIST
2 Editor’s Notes Mariska Morris Diana Gouws
8 Driving Africa Cell: 084 788 8399 Cell: 082 801 8506
mariska@charmont.co.za diana@charmont.co.za charmont
10 Firm Advice
2019
Patroffie media global
CIRCULATION MANAGER
12 Vic’s View TECHNICAL CORRESPONDENT Bev Rogers
13 Hopping Off Vic Oliver Cell: 078 230 5063
Cell: 083 267 8437 bev@focusontransport.co.za Follow us
26 Global Focus News voliver@mweb.co.za facebook.com/focus_mag
30 Short Hauls DESIGN AND LAYOUT twitter @FOCUSmagSA
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FOCUS ON TRANSPORT 1
ed’ s notes
Cleaning up
refuse collection
recent report in a Canadian publication, battery technology is going to be 50 percent more efficient
A
Truck News, caught my eye: The Department – and that should take us to ploughing.”
of Sanitation in New York (DSNY) had just In addition to reduced emissions, other benefits of
taken delivery of its first fully electric refuse electric refuse trucks include reduced noise and lower
truck – a Mack LR. maintenance costs. According to Roy Horton, director of
The vehicle’s capabilities had been product strategy at Mack Trucks, there’s less wear and tear
demonstrated to journalists at a handover event, where componentry on an electrically powered vehicle. “It uses
Jonathan Randall, a senior vice-president at Mack, had less oil and lubricants, incurs less brake wear, and there’s
said the DSNY – which he described as the world’s largest no combustion engine to service.”
sanitation department – would put the truck through real- Refuse is an ideal application for electrification, Horton
life paces from April. “There’s no tougher testing ground for told Truck News, because it’s a closed-loop duty cycle in
a truck like this,” he maintained. which the trucks return to home base daily for charging. The
DSNY is on a mission to become carbon-neutral by 2050, frequent starts and stops allow for regenerative braking,
and to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent during which energy is captured, stored and then used to
by 2035. That’s why it’s looking to replace its 2 346-strong assist propulsion.
refuse truck fleet – 99 percent of which are Macks – with The LR Electric features two battery-driven motors that
electrically powered vehicles. together produce a maximum of 369 kW and 5 492 Nm.
According to Rocky DiRico, deputy commissioner of the Transmission is through a two-speed Mack Powershift
department, the fleet collects about 12 000 t of residential transmission. The truck features four NMC lithium-ion
and industrial waste a day. He said the route the electric batteries that are charged via a 50 kW charging system. All
truck would follow had already been chosen – a 30-km accessories are electrically driven through 12 V, 24 V and
stretch though middle-class New York neighbourhoods. 600 V circuits.
“Don’t read into the short distance,” he said. “The real test When the vehicle is put into service, DSNY will closely
is how many times the truck stops and starts in the course monitor several metrics, including uptime, range, mileage,
of the route. We deal more with hours than kilometres.” driver feedback, acceleration, payload, regenerative
DiRico revealed that the truck would be expected to braking, gradeability, state of charge at start and end
handle an eight-hour collection route, at which time its of route, charging time and duration, as well as overall
remaining battery capacity would be analysed. Uniquely, functionality.
New York City uses its collection trucks as snow ploughs DiRico said he was looking forward to putting the truck to
during winter months, and DiRico said the first-generation work, telling journalists that the vehicle wouldn’t be babied.
Mack LR Electric would probably fall short in this area. “I look forward to beginning the process of testing, piloting
However, he said he was confident that subsequent and beating the hell out of that truck,” he said.
versions would be able to handle both duties. Just a thought: It’s a pity that some of South Africa’s
“Ultimately, we have to get to ploughing,” he said. “We leading cities don’t follow New York’s example and put
can’t have a fleet for ploughing and another for collection. electrified trucks to similar refuse collection tests. Then
Our success and uniqueness is that we plough with again, Eskom’s load shedding schedule may put a very big
our collection trucks. Battery technology has improved spanner in that kind of strategy!
dramatically already and we feel within the next year, WYNTER MURDOCH
2 FOCUS ON TRANSPORT
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FOCUS ON TRANSPORT 3
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FOCUS ON TRANSPORT 5
cover story
Kamaz takes
the Dakar!
Looki ng li ke somethin g out of M a d M a x , the v i ctor i ous Kamazes that took part i n th i s
year’s Da kar Ra l ly were perceived to embo dy everyth i n g that ’ s crazy and won derfu l
a b out the event
he Dakar Rally is perceived to be one of the Overall, the race Kamaz weighs in at 9,5 t, but, unlike
T
motorsport world’s greatest challenges; a a regular truck, it also boasts 50:50 weight distribution,
two-week journey to hell and back across which is perfect for handling. It is powered by a Dongfeng
a succession of relentless dunes and rocky Cummins engine which, when pushed to its maximum, can
outcrops. This year marked the first time consume up to 200 litres of fuel every 100 km. To feed the
the race had been held in Saudi Arabia – thirst, the fuel tank – situated over the rear wheels – holds
but conditions remained just as tough as they had been 1 000 litres of diesel.
in previous versions of the event through Africa and South When the rally ended in Qiddiya – a city which is situated
America. about 40 km from the capital, Riyadh, and which is destined
In the highly competitive truck category, the first two to become the entertainment centre of Saudi Arabia – the
places were taken by Russian brand Kamaz, the victorious delighted Kamaz-master team leader, Vladimir Chagin,
Kamaz-master team vehicles driven by Andrey Karginov – said of the performance: “I am happy that we managed to
who became a two-time winner of the Dakar – and Anton delight our numerous fans and partners. It was a difficult
Shibalov, who crossed the line in second place. The win victory and each member of the team did everything to
marked the 17th time a Kamaz had taken the laurels in the achieve it.
event. “The Dakar in the Arabian Peninsula made everyone
While both the trucks took a hammering in the Dakar’s happy with interesting routes and a breathtaking struggle.
demanding dunes, their 13-cylinder, 857 kW engines never I sincerely congratulate everyone who followed our
missed a beat, the vehicles heading a top six comprising performance and helped the team to achieve victory in this
a Maz driven by Siarhei Viazovich, another Kamaz-master difficult race!”
team truck in the hands of Dmitry Sotnikov and, in fifth and Karginov said he was happy that he had managed to win.
sixth places, Ivecos piloted by Marton Macik and Janus van “In two weeks, we covered thousands of difficult kilometres
Kasteren. on some of the toughest off-road routes. It was important
Looking like something out of Mad Max, the Kamazes for us to win to show the advantages of the Kamaz in a new
were perceived to embody everything that’s crazy and region for the rally. I am glad that our team delighted fans
wonderful about the Dakar. Everything about the trucks is in Russia and around the world.”
big. Take those huge wheels – they weigh a colossal 150 kg Shibalov described the 7 500 km route as interesting and
each, turning a task such as changing a punctured tyre into exciting, with lots of battles. “I am very happy to have taken
a major marathon. silver. It was a very challenging race,” he said. F
6 FOCUS ON TRANSPORT
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D RI VI N G AF R I CA
M i k e F itzmaurice is the CEO of the Federation of East and Southern Africa Road Transport Associations (Fesarta). He has 42
years of experience in the transport and logistics industry with several major companies in South Africa, as well as overseas exposure
with some of the leading transport companies in six European countries. He runs Transport Logistics Consultants, which he established
in 2004. In May 2015 he became CEO of Fesarta.
Fighting
transport crime
In an effort to re d uce a legitimate operator’s truck, using a are comprehensively insured against
transport cri me, F esarta vehicle that looks similar and which all risks.
has partnered w ith a bears an identical registration number. In Fesarta’s view, one of the keys to
forensi c i nvest igator Company documentation is also the successful settlement of insurance
who speci ali ses in truc k
duplicated, with only contact details claims is to ensure that an insurer has
hijacki ng, cargo theft and
being changed. not been placed at risk intentionally.
diesel scams
“When notification of a load is That means the transporter has a
ver the past 12 posted, the owner of the fake truck duty to take all the necessary steps to
months the transport will submit an application to transport honour the conditions of an insurance
O industry – particularly
in KwaZulu-Natal –
has been plagued
it using the false documentation. If
the offer is accepted, the bogus truck
arrives to collect the load – and then
policy.
From an anti-hijacking perspective,
vehicle tracking companies need to
by problems. From disappears with the cargo.” know early on that something is amiss,
trucks that were being attacked on
main trade routes, to congestion at
terminals such as Maydon Wharf and
Bayhead in Durban, the issues have
been varied, intense and significant.
Theft, too, has been on the increase,
with a rising number of cases being
reported of bogus trucks being used
to collect cargo or containers in and
around Durban. In this respect, Fesarta
has partnered with ex-South African
police captain, Wimpie Nel, who has
uncovered the following:
• In order to maximise productivity,
transport operators want to carry
return loads from Durban to their
home destinations. They therefore
need to know what loads are Nel says the scenario can be either through the activation of a panic
available – and this is where a broker mitigated if cargo owners carry out a signal inside the vehicle’s cabin, or via
system comes into operation; proper risk analysis of the contracted real-time CCTV footage from in-cab
• Brokers usually communicate transport company’s credentials, as and dashboard-mounted cameras.
via e-mail and WhatsApp groups, well as those of the truck and driver. While this may not prevent a truck
inviting transporters to apply to carry “In most cases the real transporter from being hijacked, it could help to
particular loads; will not be aware that his truck has recover the vehicle and its cargo.
• To comply, transporters are usually been cloned,” says Nel. “These Fesarta recommends that vehicles
required to supply company discrepancies may become apparent are monitored from point of collection
documentation, identification, goods only when an in-depth risk analysis is to point of delivery, and that they travel
in transit records and logbooks. undertaken.” with escort vehicles if high-value cargo
“In a perfect world the system is Other risks faced by the road is in transit. Other steps include the
very effective,” says Nel. “However, transport industry include a rising installation of: a notification device if
there are some unscrupulous people incidence of truck hijackings and the trailer is unhitched from the truck;
who steal the transport company’s ongoing protest action. Being exposed tracking units on the trailer and in
details and sell them on to crime to so much peril makes it imperative items of cargo; and recording devices
syndicates. The syndicates then clone for fleet owners to ensure that they inside the vehicle’s cab. F
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C arol Ho l ness is a senior associate in the Norton Rose Fulbright admiralty and transport team based in Durban. She focuses
on shipping, admiralty and international trade issues as well as marine, transport and logistics insurance. Holness has represented
local and international clients in many aspects of transport law, including questions of marine insurance cover and subrogated
insurance recovery actions.
The high cube
container conundrum
W ill South Afr ica’ s the DoT on whether the moratorium insurance policy. The transporter may
Department of T ransport will be extended – meaning that face claims from the cargo owner or
lift i ts moratorium Regulation 224(b) may be enforced. the third party for the damage and
regardi ng the If that happens, the implications will its insurer may not pay out these
transportati on of h igh
be extensive. claims.
cu be contai ners ? If so,
One consideration that arises is Where a goods vehicle is moving
what li abi li ty insurance
impli cati ons does that how it will affect non-compliance through more than one country,
have for the country ’ s with regard to a transporter’s liability different road traffic safety laws and
transport operators ? insurance. Many liability policies restrictions may apply. This means
include a warranty that the transporter that the transporter must ensure that
egulation 224(b) will comply with all local road traffic the vehicle used complies with the
of South Africa’s safety laws. road traffic safety laws in each country
R National Road Traffic
Regulations prohibits
any person from
In this respect, a transport company
is obliged to ensure that its vehicles
through which it passes. However,
what is legal in one country may be
comply with the restrictions set out illegal in another.
operating a motor in the applicable laws and, where This can result in confusion for
vehicle on a public road which, necessary, to obtain abnormal load the transporter as well as additional
together with any load, has an overall or other suitable permits to transport costs and delays, since the transport
height which exceeds 4,3 m. In this goods. company must ensure that it has the
respect, the transportation of high If the transporter does not comply applicable permits to ensure that its
cube containers is affected. with the applicable laws and an vehicle complies with each country’s
laws. If the transporter fails to comply,
criminal prosecution could follow,
along with fines and the rejection of
any claims by its liability insurer in the
event of an accident.
The fact that a particular country’s
road traffic authorities do not enforce
certain road traffic safety laws means
that a transporter may not face criminal
prosecution for failing to comply.
However, the transporter’s liability
insurers may still reject a claim where
the transporter has failed to comply
with the laws – notwithstanding the
fact that those laws are not actively
being enforced.
In 2018, the Department of accident occurs and damage is caused If South Africa does repeal
Transport (DoT) put in place a to the cargo, or to some third party – the current moratorium against
moratorium which exempted the resulting in the transporter’s liability to prosecution for non-compliance with
containers from the regulation. The the cargo interest or to the third party Regulation 224(b), transporters may
moratorium ran from January 1, – this may result in the transporter’s face both criminal prosecution as well
2019 until January 1, 2020. At time of liability insurer rejecting the claim as the rejection of insurance claims by
writing (December, 2019), there has on the basis that the transporter has their insurers if they fail to adhere to
been no formal communication from breached the warranty contained in its the letter of the law. F
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FOCUS ON TRANSPORT 11VI C’ S V I EW
V I C O LIVER is one of this country’s most respected commercial vehicle industry authorities, and has been in this industry for over 50
years. Before joining the FOCUS team, he spent 15 years with Nissan Diesel (now UD Trucks), 11 years with Busaf and seven years with
International. Do you have a comment or thought you would like to share based on this column? Visit www.focusontransport.co.za and
have your say!
Key performance
areas in road transport
Mai ntai ni ng a competit ive
and profi ta ble transport
busi ness means k eepin g
careful watch on a host of
key performance factors,
says VIC OLI VER
he start of the New
Year is a good time
T for road transport
operators
re-examine
to
the
management of their
business’s key performance areas.
Good management saves money
and increases profits – but practices
and processes need to be continually for and if they are not used timeously, and work well done is an excellent tool
monitored, refreshed and upgraded, they are lost, since they cannot be to get people to perform at their best.
especially given the type of tough, stored for use at a later date. Past surveys that have analysed
competitive market environment that Workshop efficiency must also the roles employees play in making
has been forecast for this year. be carefully monitored every day. a business successful have found that
First the basics need to be right Productivity can be measured by if the following points are understood
in all sectors of the business. Daily comparing the number of hours and implemented by staff members,
operations need to be watched worked in relation to the standard flat the company tends to succeed.
carefully and immediate steps taken rate time that is set by the vehicle’s • Do I know what is expected of me
to address any procedures that start to manufacturer. at work?
run out of line. Retaining satisfied customers is • Do I have the material and equipment
In addition to the daily monitoring and another important key performance I need to do my job right?
controlling of basic vehicle operating area, as your competitors will be • Do I have the opportunity to do my
costs, both fixed and variable, it is monitoring your customer base and best every day?
essential to control and monitor other trying to steal your good clients. • Have I received recognition or praise
related key performance factors, for Therefore, looking after your customers for good work in the last seven days?
instance vehicle productivity. and giving them world-class service is • Does my supervisor, or someone at
Operators need to constantly focus another key performance area to be work, seem to care about me?
on ensuring that all vehicles in the carefully monitored. • Is there someone at work who
fleet are fully and effectively operating Ensure that your entire team is encourages my development?
at optimum capacity. Fleet size needs aware of the importance of looking
to be carefully controlled to ensure after customers and are well-versed Positive responses to the above
that there are sufficient vehicles in in treating your client base with the questions correlated to higher
the line-up to do the job effectively utmost respect. productivity, profitability, employee
without having some standing idle. It is also important that good satisfaction, customer satisfaction and
Workshop productivity also has to technicians and administrators are staff retention.
be maximised. Ensuring that all the well looked after in order to ensure To reiterate, a focus on the retention
available labour hours are effectively that they are not enticed away by of good people is critical for a transport
used is one way of safeguarding competitors. Offering good reward business to survive and continue to
efficiency. These hours are being paid incentives to employees for efficiency produce good results. F
12 FOCUS ON TRANSPORThoppin g off
Vau g han Mostert lectured on public transport issues at the University of Johannesburg for nearly thirty years. Through Hopping
Off, Mostert leaves readers with some food for thought as he continues his push for change in the local public transport industry.
Prasa and the master plan
Now that the Passen ger Predictably, one of the engineers no “need” for any Gautrain extension
Rai l Agency of S outh at the workshop had to put in an study to be included. We first need to
Afr i ca (Prasa ) is und er appeal for even more infrastructure, fix the collapse at Prasa before any rail
admi ni strat ion, w il l calling for “an accelerated programme expansion can even be considered.
thi s affect the var ious
of investment in rail infrastructure, as Still on page 367: “Although the
transport “ master p l ans ”
trains were capable of moving 80 000 Gautrain Management Authority (GMA)
out there?
to 100 000 people an hour versus only will lead the ITMP25 review process,
don’t see it happening. 2 000 by car”. the department will contribute from
In November last year, That irrelevant argument has helped a transport planning integration
I Business Day Motor
News reported on a
workshop organised
get us into this mess. Please show
me a route in South Africa that moves
perspective... “
The GMA has no business leading
more than 30 000 people an hour! It’s a policy review process. This column
by a transport also time for “master plans” to start has previously pointed out that this is
engineering consultancy, where calculating the tonnes of carbon that a conflict of interest, similar to putting
participants “plotted a vision” for the new rail (and road) construction will South African Airways (SAA) in charge
transport sector. generate. of an airline policy for the country! The
Apparently someone has discovered The Gauteng provincial government GMA is the last place we should go to
that some minibus taxis are empty on is still in denial about these things, as for advice on transport policy.
their return trips. So we are going seen in its 2019 Budget documents. Continuing to page 380, it gets
to have a pilot project using an app On page 367 we read: “The Gauteng worse: “The expenditure (on Gautrain)
to link minibus-taxi operators with Integrated Transport Master Plan increased between 2015/16 and
passengers. (ITMP25), dated 2013, is in the process 2017/18 from R1,6 billion to R1,8
billion in line with the agreements
with the concessionaire. The budget
is expected to grow from R2,1 billion
in 2019/20 to R2,4 billion in 2021/22,
mainly for the maintenance and
capacitation of the current system.”
We should stop tip-toeing around
the Gautrain, whose bailouts are now
increasing at seven percent a year.
The Gautrain serves the car-owning
middle class. It loses around R100
per passenger, while the mismanaged
Prasa, which now loses around R25 per
passenger, is catching up fast.
The Gautrain doesn’t need
That’s fine. I hope it works, of being reviewed owing to the “capacitation” – together with several
although I have my doubts. If it does Gautrain Extension Study that needs sections operated by Prasa, it needs
work it will be the first time in South to be included as well as the latest to be converted into a busway. The
Africa that existing vehicles will be Gauteng Household Travel Survey fact that the Gautrain now has legal
used to improve public transport. data.” powers to run rail services throughout
Remember that all big projects up This column has previously pointed Gauteng should cause concern.
to now have involved new vehicles – out that the 2013 ITMP was a weak We need to implement an integrated
Mynah, Go!George, ReaVaya, MyCiti, document to start with, except where it network of bus and rail transport not
Gautrain – and, in the last three cases, admitted that densities were too low in only in Gauteng, but around South
vast amounts of spending on new Gauteng to justify anything more than Africa. Neither the Master Plan nor the
infrastructure as well. a decent bus service. There is therefore GMA are going to do it for us. F
FOCUS ON TRANSPORT 13WA REH O U S I NG
The changing face
of warehousing
The i ntroduct ion of augmented real i ty, art i f i c i a l i nte l l i g ence ( A I ) and ro boti c
systems are amon g the many d igita l tool s that are beg i nni n g to chang e concepts of
warehousin g in the serv i ce parts lo g i st i cs sector
ccording to a recent study by the Service many more types of parts to be built on demand, either at
A
Logistics Division at DHL, digital tools dedicated facilities or even in micro factories, embedded in
aimed at boosting worker productivity, warehouses or forward stock locations.”
increasing speed and reducing errors are According to the study, the final stage of the service
beginning to revolutionise the way service parts logistics chain presents significant opportunities for
parts warehousing works. companies to differentiate themselves from competitors
In the evolving warehouse – equipped with 5G and and tailor their offerings to suit specific customer needs.
high-speed Wi-Fi connections – staff members will be “Service logistics operations may benefit from innovative
guided by augmented-reality glasses to correct stock approaches now being pursued by e-commerce companies.
locations for order picking or replenishment activities, If an area has sufficient aggregate demand, shared,
while digital communication tools – such as video- collaborative or crowd-sourced last-mile transportation
conferencing systems or live-feeds from body cameras strategies can combine rapid response with low cost and
– will help companies to manage service parts divisions a small carbon footprint,” it says, adding that automated
more effectively. lockers used for unattended e-commerce deliveries have
“A warehouse worker receiving a returned part of already been adapted to hold vendor-managed inventory
unknown condition or origin will immediately be able to and consignment stocks of parts at customer sites.
call on advice from a remote expert to ensure the item “Delivery to vehicle approaches, guided by global
is correctly identified, classified and sent on for repair or positioning system trackers, could boost the productivity
recycling. That expert might even be an AI assistant,” the of service technicians, allowing them to receive parts for
study says. future jobs while they are working on earlier ones.
It adds that recently introduced technology already “In the longer term, drones or autonomous ground
allows parts to be compared – using high-resolution vehicles may become viable delivery systems for some
photographs taken at the time of production, for example – categories of parts.”
to enable manufacturers to establish whether the returned Another innovative solution highlighted in the study
items are within warranty, or to spot counterfeits. involves virtual technicians – a role that DHL believes will
According to the study, some aspects of the warehouse be unique to the service parts logistics process, which
of the future are already with us, robotic systems having often requires the schedules of technicians and parts
made their way into high-volume, high-throughput retail deliveries to be closely aligned.
and e-commerce facilities. “As robotic picking systems “Augmented reality systems and AI-powered personal
continue to become cheaper, more capable and more assistants may help couriers or end customers to perform
flexible, they will become viable options for service parts some service tasks themselves. For complex and safety-
logistics environments, too,” the study predicts. critical service tasks, skilled and properly qualified
It points out that the service parts logistics industry could technicians are an essential, but often limited, resource.
also provide the elusive answer for additive manufacturing. “Advanced planning and scheduling systems will help
“The capabilities of three-dimensional printing technologies to maximise the availability and productivity of the field
are continually improving, handling a wider range of workforce by dynamically adjusting job sequences and
materials, producing a wider range of geometries and parts deliveries based on real-time information,” the study
operating at higher precision. That paves the way for concludes. F
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FOCUS ON TRANSPORT 15Energy innovat i ons
Another case for
alternative fuel
If the envi ronmenta l b enef its of a lternati ve fue l s do not prov i de enou g h moti vat i on
for transport operators to reconsid er the i r opt i ons , the recent conf l i ct between the
Un ite d S tates ( US ) and Iran cou l d! MA R I SK A MO R R I S i nvest i g ates
merican President Donald Trump started industry finally switch to alternative fuel sources? At the
A
his year with a literal bang when he ordered very least, the industry should re-evaluate its options.
a United States air strike that killed top Aside from the environmental benefits, alternative fuels
Iranian military official Major General can be easier to source and more efficient. There are also
Qassem Soleimani. According to the many alternatives to choose from including gas, biofuel,
American government, Soleimani was planning an attack hydrogen and electricity.
on American diplomats and services members.
Although Iran launched some missiles and mistakenly E l ectr ic transport
shot down a passenger aircraft, the situation has fortunately Arguably the most discussed alternative receiving the
not escalated into a war, nor has it greatly affected the biggest investment is electric vehicles (EVs). While the
global fuel price. It is, however, not over yet with the price technology is advancing quickly, it is expensive – partly
of crude oil still hanging in the balance. due to the cost of lithium batteries (see FOCUS Issue 9,
More importantly, it should have countries, like South 2019) and partly due to the luxury income tax imposed on
Africa, that import the majority of their oil, questioning these vehicles.
whether there isn’t a better alternative. However, some electric car owners and enthusiasts feel
Iran is no longer a main oil provider for the country, as the cost saving outweighs the expensive initial purchase
South Africa imports most of its oil from Saudi Arabia (42 price. According to an article by Independent Online, one
percent), Nigeria (34 percent) and Angola (13 percent). As a such owner pays only R170 to fully charge his BMW i3
result, the cost of fuel is determined by international prices (2017), which cost more than R500 000. This adds up to an
and supply. A war could result in a rapid spike in price or a estimated R80 000 saving each year on petrol.
shortage of supply. Unfortunately, the vehicle can only travel between 200
For the transport industry, which is already under and 240 km when fully charged. While there are numerous
tremendous financial stress with small profit margins, a fuel charging points throughout South Africa, transport
price increase could be disastrous. Should the transport companies might not have 50 minutes to spare in order to
16 FOCUS ON TRANSPORTE nergy i nnovat ions
wait for the vehicle to recharge. While access to electricity stations. There are currently 10 gas filling stations in
is a concern, the cost of EVs is still the biggest hurdle. Gauteng.
Even with the savings on fuel, not all transport operators If converting an older vehicle into a dual-fuelled vehicle
or logistics companies can afford these expensive vehicles. isn’t an option, transport operators renewing their fleet can
Fortunately, while the industry waits for lithium battery look to companies like Tetra4, a division of Renergen, which
prices to drop and government to lift the luxury tax, there supplies buses and heavy commercial vehicles that run on
are other alternatives. A surprising contestant already being CNG and liquid natural gas (see FOCUS 4, 2019). With an
introduced in the commuter transport industry is gas! ample, locally sourced supply, gas seems to be a more
viable option.
A case for gas
In August last year, The Citizen reported that 1 200 minibus P otential of hydro gen
taxis were running on comprehensive natural gas (CNG) Although not a new technology, until recently hydrogen
and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). A key motivation for the hasn’t received quite the same attention and investment as
shift is the savings on running costs and the affordability of the other alternatives – and possibly for good reason. When
the technology. hearing hydrogen, many think of water, and since water
In a pilot study, conducted by gas provider CNG holdings, has become an incredibly scarce and valuable element in
it was found that it would cost R3 059 to travel 3 173 km in South Africa, organisations might be less inclined to pursue
this technology.
However, hydrogen can be
manufactured from contaminated
water that would have been
dumped! In fact, Hydrogen South
Africa (HySA) argues that South
Africa is in the perfect position
to produce hydrogen for a
global market by essentially
having hydrogen production
piggyback on the desalination of
seawater.
There are roughly 10
desalination plants throughout
the country, which can use
desalinated water to produce
hydrogen. Inland, HySA suggests
using contaminated water sources
such as mine water, to produce
hydrogen. With Japan looking to
import large amounts of hydrogen
a CNG-powered vehicle, while a petrol-powered vehicle in the coming years, South Africa could earn a lot by
covered the same distance for R5 423. Converting a petrol- investing in the technology.
powered vehicle into one powered by gas is simple and the In fact, HySA reckons South Africa could have a
technology is very affordable. US$ 600-million (R8,6-billion) market if it captures only
By fitting an LPG gas kit, Gasdrive can convert a 25 percent of the Japanese import market. Government
passenger or light commercial vehicle to a duel-fuel seems to be backing this technology. The Department
vehicle. A simple flick of a switch will convert the vehicle of Transport discussed introducing hydrogen-powered
back to petrol when LPG gas is low. The company transport in its Green Strategy document with several trials
estimates a minimum of 40-percent savings on a fuel bill. running in 2019.
The gas is housed in its own tank with separate piping Although hydrogen technology seems promising, sourcing
and injectors. According to Gasdrive, LPG is a cleaner fuel it from desalination plants might not be productive, and
and causes less wear and tear on the engine. It is also there are concerns over their impact on surrounding sea life.
100-percent lead-free, produces fewer emissions and The transport industry is spoiled for choice and with
causes less oil contamination. some alternatives proving easier to source, cheaper to
The taxi industry is taking it a step further by run and more environmentally friendly, the industry might
encouraging its stakeholders to invest in the technology finally want to reconsider whether fossil fuels are still
and infrastructure to fast track the rollout of gas filling worthwhile. F
FOCUS ON TRANSPORT 17UP TI ME
Benefits of
preventative truck
maintenance
Sti cki ng wi th a consistent preventat i ve mai ntenance pro g ramme w i l l he l p to keep
your truck runnin g smooth ly and safely, s i g n i f i cant ly reduci n g the poss i bi l i ty of
b rea kdowns
reventative truck maintenance is designed expensive breakdowns – those that always seem to occur
P
to help to get the most use out of a when they are least expected, or when you need your
truck. Experts agree that a good truck the most.
maintenance programme can lower Regular oil changes and careful inspection of critical,
overall running costs and increase the visible components help to prevent the possibility of
lifespan of a vehicle. breakdowns and more expensive repairs later on. This is
It can also help to improve safety and reduce legal because small problems can be taken care of promptly,
liability. If a vehicle is deemed to be unroadworthy with worn or damaged parts – such as hoses or belts –
because of a lack of repairs or maintenance, the owner replaced or repaired before they fail. Performing heavy truck
can be held liable for any injury or damage that it repairs timeously prevents small issues from becoming big
causes. Truck maintenance can also help to avoid problems.
18 FOCUS ON TRANSPORTUP TI M E
The actual maintenance portion of a preventative
maintenance programme is composed of scheduled and
standardised inspections and services, commonly known
as A, B, C or D services. As you move down the alphabet,
the nature of the service increases in complexity, and the
time required to carry it out extends accordingly.
Basic A services are also known as maintenance
checks or safety inspections and generally consist of
checks of components such as those that would be
carried out on a daily basis – inspection of oil and fluid
levels, brakes, lights and tyres. Usually, they will include
adjustment of high-wearing mechanisms or components.
Typically, these services are scheduled at half of the oil
change interval of the vehicle.
Preventative maintenance B services usually include
all of A’s items, but extend to action regarding trouble
codes or problems reported by the vehicle’s on-board
management system, oil and filter changes as well as
more in-depth checks of the engine and driveline.
Preventative maintenance C services call for both A
and B schedules, as well and more extensive service
applications in terms of wheel alignment, scheduled
component replacement and other scheduled engine
and driveline component inspections or replacement of
parts. Usually, C services happen annually. To make sure
they are carried out timeously, it is not unusual for big
carrier companies to schedule them at 10- or 11-month
intervals.
D services usually involve the rebuild or replacement
of major components – including engine, transmission,
differentials or axles – or special upgrades. Scheduling of
D services tends to vary, depending on the nature of the
Truck maintenance can item to be replaced, rebuilt or upgraded.
help to avoid expensive To keep trailers in optimal condition, it’s important to
introduce preventative maintenance services for them,
breakdowns – those that too. Like trucks, daily visual checks should include
always seem to occur when careful inspection of tail lights, brake lights, indicators,
body lights and reflectors, couplings, electrical and
they are least expected, or hydraulic connections and hoses, brake lines, the state
when you need your truck of tyres and their pressures, as well as a check of safety
equipment, tarpaulins and tie downs.
the most. T1 or TA services are usually scheduled every
three months and incorporate careful inspection and
lubrication of components, as well as a check of lights,
tyres, brakes, coupling devices, safety equipment and
any other systems that the trailer may incorporate – a
A preventative maintenance routine should include a refrigeration unit, for instance, or sliding axles.
daily inspection that focuses on: T2 or TB services occur every six months and include
• Keeping the cabin clean and the floor free of loose all the items checked during a T1 inspection, as well as
objects; additional maintenance – re-greasing of wheel bearings
• The condition of seat belts, buckles and mechanisms; or suspension components, or the retorquing of lugs.
• The proper functioning of instruments, defrosters, T3 or TC services are usually scheduled annually. These
windscreen wipers and heaters; include all the inspection and maintenance procedures
• The condition of headlights, tail lights, brake lights, included in T1 and T2 services, along with more extensive
indicators, body lights and outside reflectors; maintenance tasks such as wheel alignment or a
• Oil and fluid levels, including a visual check for obvious complete overhaul of the brake system.
leaks from hoses and seals, or cracks or frayed edges on By following these guidelines, experts say that in
drive belts; the long term truck owners will benefit from increased
• The state of tyres, including a pressure check of each tyre; vehicle uptime, lower running costs and more
• A check of emergency equipment. profitability. F
FOCUS ON TRANSPORT 19Sector in the spotl i g ht
Keeping a strict
checklist
Whi le all transport l egis l at ion is i mportant, transport operators wor ki n g w i th
petrochemi ca ls and dangerous goo ds need to be e x tra v i g i l ant. MA R I SK A MO R R I S ta kes a
c loser loo k at some of the req u i rements
ransport operators dealing with dangerous medication and treatment immediately.
T
or hazardous goods need to ensure strict An informed driver will be able to better assist emergency
compliance with relevant regulations. This services or contact relevant authorities. Properly securing
includes having the correct identification the load can help prevent spills or leaks should the vehicle
papers on the vehicle, ensuring that staff be involved in an accident.
are well trained and goods are secured. The National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996 and the South
This can save lives while protecting communities and the African National Standard 10228 outline the requirements
environment. for transporting dangerous goods. For those transport
The correct signage on the vehicle, for example, notifies operators considering expanding their operations to include
emergency services of how to respond when an accident the transportation of dangerous goods, it might be useful to
occurs. If a vehicle carrying water-sensitive gas (such as consult with experts in the field.
hydrogen) is in an accident, firefighters may not use water Some of the basic requirements are straightforward (see
to extinguish any fires. A sign notifying the firefighters of the FOCUS Issue 2, 2018), but others – such as the packaging
gas content should therefore be clearly displayed. and signage on the vehicle – can be more complicated. For
If radioactive material is being transported, emergency example, some goods are considered hazardous only at
services require specific protective equipment to approach specific quantities.
the vehicle, while the driver would need to receive specific As global transport and logistics company DSV points
20 FOCUS ON TRANSPORTSector in the spot lig ht
out: “[Some goods that are] not ‘dangerous’ in a low transport operators also need to comply with rules set
quantity can suddenly become so once a certain limit out by local municipalities. These might include approved
is exceeded or if different packaging is used.” These routes and times at which to transport the goods or
goods can include lithium batteries, aerosol sprays or even additional permits.
perfume. Packaging and labelling also become extremely The City of Johannesburg, for example, requires all
important when operating across borders. vehicles that transport dangerous goods to have a valid
According to DSV, a major retailer faced fines of permit issued by the chief fire officer. This needs to be
US$ 144 000 (R2 million) when its shipping declaration for in the vehicle at all times and made available during an
the dangerous materials in its retail-sized bottles of nail inspection. The permit may not be issued for a period
polish and sunblock was incorrect. Another fine was issued longer than 12 months.
to a pharmaceutical company for undeclared alcohol in its In addition, the vehicle should be equipped with a nine-
skincare products. kilogram, dry-chemical fire extinguisher and be physically
There is a universal system for classification, packaging, earthed to the storage facility when goods are transferred.
marking and labelling of dangerous goods set out by DSV advises transport operators to consider appointing
the United Nations. Among these are the nine classes of a safety adviser who has undergone relevant training in
hazardous or dangerous goods ranging from explosive dangerous goods – especially if transporting dangerous
and flammable materials to toxic, infectious or radioactive goods will become a regular service.
materials. However, even with professional advice, transport
In addition to the national and international standards, operators are discouraged from relying on summarised >
FOCUS ON TRANSPORT 21Sector in the spotl i g ht
versions of the various legislations. As Arrive Alive points the first responder in the case of an accident (in which
out: “Dangerous goods legislation is very voluminous and the driver is unharmed and conscious) and takes primary
quite intricate. It will be difficult to do more than create responsibility for the packaging and load securing of
awareness with a summarised document.” dangerous goods.
Along with the safety adviser, transport operators should In addition to the PrDP D and material-specific training
ensure all employees handling the hazardous materials (such as detecting and managing a dangerous goods spill),
are well-trained – particularly the driver, who requires a drivers can benefit from roll-over prevention training. When
professional driving permit (PrDP) category D to be able a vehicle transporting dangerous goods rolls over, it poses
In addition to
the national and
international standards,
transport operators
also need to comply
with rules set out by
local municipalities.
the greatest risk to other road users and
the environment.
If a roll-over or accident does occur,
Arrive Alive suggests a few guidelines
for other road users to safely pass the
to transport dangerous goods and substances (including dangerous goods vehicle.
liquids, solids and gases) above certain quantities. First, they are discouraged from approaching or remaining
Generally, the training for a PrDP D touches on the in the vicinity of the vehicle. If untrained and without the
legal aspects such as which materials can be transported correct protective equipment, road users are encouraged
together and the signs that should be displayed. In order to to evacuate the area, to avoid using a cellphone until at a
take this course, a driver needs to be older than 25 years, safe distance and to inform the relevant authorities.
have a valid driving licence and a valid PrDP. The PrDP D When passing the accident, motorists should also remain
certificate should be renewed every year and the driver in their vehicles, keep all windows closed and avoid
should undergo retraining every two years. inhaling fumes. Smoking, lighting a cigarette or disposing of
This specific training is essential as the driver will be flammable goods is also strongly discouraged. F
LOADING - PERFORMANCE - COSTING
IT’S TIME TO
MOVE ON FROM
TRANSSOLVE
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22 FOCUS ON TRANSPORTA DV E RTORI A L
SETTING INDUSTRY
BENCHMARKS
Ex tensi ve test in g, comb ined w ith cont i nuous enhancement throu g hout the research ,
development and d esign process , ena bl es Sumi tomo Ru bber South A fri ca to pro duce
what i t consid ers to b e the b est and most capa bl e truck and bus radi a l tyres for
A fr i can roa d con di t i ons
eing innovative and first to market is people and the local community as a whole. Prioritising
B
what drives tyre manufacturer and brand education for future skills development, employees are
leader Sumitomo Rubber South Africa’s engaged in mentoring Grade 11 and 12 students in maths and
quest to remain at the forefront of the science. A recent donation of a fully equipped classroom
industry. The strong history and heritage for matric learners at the Bhekinthutuko Secondary school
of the Dunlop brand, coupled with world- near Ladysmith has enabled learners to prepare for their
class manufacturing capabilities, have strengthened the final examinations in an environment that is conducive to
company’s position as a leader in the truck and bus radial learning.
(TBR) tyre markets on the African continent. “At the core of our business is our commitment to
“We rank research, development and pro-active testing innovation, people, safety and quality throughout the
as priorities,” says Riaz Haffejee, the company’s CEO. “Our development of our tyres, during and post manufacturing,”
innovative and advanced products show that we fully says Haffejee. “Our stringent processes during
understand the dynamics of specific applications in the manufacturing, our accredited sales channels and in-field
truck and bus industry. This enables us to continue making technical services personnel across Africa ensure that
performance-enhancing design changes throughout the safety starts on the factory floor and continues throughout
product development process, resulting in significant the sales process and lifespan of our products.”
advances in safety, durability and reduction of cost per An example of the company’s innovation-driven focus
kilometre (CPK) to fleet owners.” is the Dunlop Energy Control Technologies (DECTES),
Benchmarking against existing and competitor products, which is the result of extensive research and development
extensive testing in all applications and continuous into the needs of the truck and bus industries. The
enhancements are made throughout the research, unique technology delivers next-generation innovation
development and design process. “We test our tyres that results in reduced tyre maintenance and rotation
rigorously in all applications and highly rate the valuable requirements, increased re-treadability, and an up to
feedback we get from fleet owners to enable us to produce 30-percent reduction in tyre rolling resistance to deliver
the best and most capable tyres for African road conditions,” significant CPK and bottom-line savings to truck and bus
says Haffejee. “As a result, we are able to develop the most fleet owners.
innovative and custom-designed truck and bus radial range New patterns released in July last year demonstrate
and establish best practice in the industry.” Sumitomo Rubber South Africa’s commitment to continual
Enabling the manufacture of Dunlop and Sumitomo TBR development, enhancement and tyre innovation. The new
tyres in Africa has been made possible through extensive 315/80R22.5 Sumitomo ST719A and 315/80R22.5 and
investment in the establishment of a state-of-the-art, 385/65R22.5 Dunlop SP320 both offer a wider tread pattern
dedicated 180 000 m² factory in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, and premium tread depth in addition to stone drilling
with Haffejee acknowledging the key role investment into protection. These two new additions demonstrate better
research and development plays in economic growth. fuel efficiency, increased mileage, improved re-treadability
Expansion of the factory has provided significant direct and better ride comfort.
socio-economic benefits to employees, women, young For more, visit www.srigroup.co.za/home F
FOCUS ON TRANSPORT 23worl d on wheel s
A road to
one Africa
Whi le the free trad e agreement b etween A fri can nat i ons cou l d mean more bus i ness and
growth for the transport in d ustry, there are st i l l many o bstacl es to be overcome .
M A R I S K A M O R R I S ta kes a look
lthough it officially came into force in mid- South Africa is in a particularly good position to trade under
A
2019, the African Continental Free Trade the AfCFTA agreement.
Area (AfCFTA) agreement is potentially However, despite the immense opportunity for growth,
the biggest change facing the transport the continent still faces many obstacles, of which a lack
industry in 2020. The agreement could of transport infrastructure is possibly the biggest. The
lead to an increase in cross-border trade among African vast underdeveloped road and rail networks in Africa will
countries and change the way in which many companies limit the ability to trade, as transporting goods will prove
trade. challenging.
With the 90-percent tariff liberalisation to come into According to estimates, less than a fifth of the roads
effect by July 1, cross-border trade will be much more in western Africa are paved. Among the countries
affordable – especially for smaller businesses. According neighbouring South Africa there are many challenges.
to the United Nations, without the tariffs intra-Africa trade Zimbabwe, for example, requires road infrastructure
could increase by 52 percent in less than five years. investments of up to US$ 34 billion (R493 billion) over the
In addition, the planned Pan-African Payments and next decade – about US$ 3,4 billion (R49 billion) each year
Settlement System (PAPSS) will provide low-cost and – according to the African Development Bank (AfDB). An
risk-controlled payment options for businesses, which additional US$ 43 million (R624 million) is required for road
could further motivate growth, or change how companies maintenance.
conduct transactions. South Africa has a vested interest in the maintenance
As one of the few industrialised countries on the continent, of transport infrastructure in Zimbabwe, as the country
24 FOCUS ON TRANSPORTYou can also read
