Crucial factors influencing international logistics operations for African landlocked countries – A case study of Burkina Faso

ABSTRACT

This study aims to evaluate the crucial factors influencing international logistics operations for African landlocked countries. To this end, a case study and a questionnaire survey were conducted. A total of 147 usable responses from container shipping firms were obtained as a result of the questionnaire survey. The results of factor analysis revealed that transportation capability, external risks, information integration, logistics infrastructure, local agents’ logistics capability, and national law and policy were crucial factors influencing the logistics operations of African landlocked countries. Specifically, local agents’ logistics capability was perceived by respondents to be the most important factor. Moreover, the results of the study also indicated that the highest factor mean values of small shipping companies were related to transportation capability, external risks and the local agents’ logistics capability, whereas container shipping companies that arranged trucks for inland transportation paid more attention to the external risks, logistics infrastructure, the local agents’ logistics capability, and national law and policy.     

Productivity assessment of African seaports with biased technological change

Abstract

This paper analyses the productivity of a representative sample of African seaports from 2002 to 2008. Productivity scores are decomposed, based on the Luenberger productivity indicator, and the nature of technological change is analysed. The paper finds that Nigerian seaports are the most efficient, followed by Angola and Mozambique. Discussions of the results as well as related policy implications are provided.     

Book review

Coastal Management: Readings and Notes. Edited by Marc J. Hershman and James H. Feldmann. Institute for Marine Studies, Coastal Resources Program, University of Washington, Seattle (January 1979), 806 pp. $22.50 (paper bound).

Tobey L. Winters, Deepwater Ports in the United States: An Economic and Environmental Impact Study. N.Y. Praeger, 1977, 201 pages.     

南非运煤专用敞车

阐述了南非理查兹湾运煤专线运能提高的三个发展阶段,以及南非运煤专用敞车从轴重18 5t提高到26t的演变过程。重点介绍了重载技术在南非运煤专用敞车上的应用以及南非几种典型的运煤专用敞车车型的结构及主要技术参数。     

Developing Transport Infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa through Public–Private Partnerships: Policy Practice and Implications

In contemporary times, Public–Private Partnership (PPP) in transport infrastructure has gained considerable attention in developing regions following its success in the developed countries. However, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is among the developing regions with few transport PPP projects and among the regions with high number of failed projects. Meanwhile the region's transport infrastructure need far exceeds it current provision. This paper therefore aims to examine the project experiences (success and failure factors) of three highly profiled transport PPP projects, namely the Lekki toll road concession project (Nigeria), N4 toll road (South Africa/Mozambique) and Port of Maputo (Mozambique) in order to develop policy measures for effective future implementation. The experiences of the three projects show that transport PPP policy is indeed feasible in SSA. However, to realise its full applicability, proper policy actions and measures must be carefully observed and these include effective and efficient stakeholder management, transparent and competitive tendering process, high participation of local investors, stable macro-economic conditions and strong government commitment and regulatory framework. The projects experiences and policy actions developed are impactful in accelerating transport infrastructure development through PPP approach in SSA. Hence it is hoped that policy-makers and practitioners would be informed on the key strategies to employ in implementing future projects.     

Pricing strategy and tariff structure for a port authority: a case study of South Africa

South Africa’s Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) tariff structure shows imbalances and cross-subsidisation amongst commodities and groups of port users. Benchmarking studies show that South African port costs are below the benchmarked mean for low-value bulk commodities like coal and iron ore, and above the mean for high-value containerised commodities. Vessel charges are also below the benchmarked mean and the required tariff revenues are raised from the tariffs charged to port tenants and cargo owners. This study examines and compares the 2013/2014 TNPA tariff structure with that proposed by the Ports Regulator of South Africa. It compiles, calculates and compares 254 commodity cargo dues with their relevant sector base tariffs for the year. The results indicate the level and direction of cross-subsidisation within and between break-bulk, dry bulk, liquid bulk and containerised cargoes. Of the 254 commodities examined, 100 are below the sector base tariff (being subsidised) and 154 are above (subsidising other cargoes). The findings of this article contribute to the implementation and monitoring of a tariff strategy that will allow for a more reasonable, just and cost reflective TNPA tariff structure.     

Seasonal productivity dynamics in the pelagic central Benguela System inferred from the flux of carbonate and silicate organisms

Flux of bulk components, carbonate- and silicate-bearing skeleton organisms, and the δ¹⁵N-isotopic signal were investigated on a 1-year time-series sediment trap deployed at the pelagic NU mooring site (Namibia Upwelling, ca. 29°S, 13°E) in the central Benguela System. The flux of bulk components mostly shows bimodal seasonality with major peaks in austral summer and winter, and moderate to low export in austral fall and spring. The calcium carbonate fraction dominates the export of particulates throughout the year, followed by lithogenic and biogenic opal. Planktonic foraminifera and coccolithophorids are major components of the carbonate fraction, while diatoms clearly dominate the biogenic opal fraction. Bulk δ¹⁵N isotopic composition of particulate matter is positively correlated with the total mass flux during summer and fall, while negatively correlated during winter and spring. Seasonal changes in the intensity of the main oceanographic processes affecting the NU site are inferred from variations in bulk component flux, and in the flux and diversity patterns of individual species or group of species. Influence from the Namaqua (Hondeklip) upwelling cell through offshore migration of chlorophyll filaments is stronger in summer, while the winter flux maximum seems to reflect mainly in situ production, with less influence from the coastal and shelf upwelling areas. On a yearly basis, dominant microorganisms correspond well with the flora and fauna of tropical/subtropical waters, with minor contribution of near-shore organisms. The simultaneous occurrence of species with different ecological affinities mirrors the fact that the mooring site was located in a transitional region with large hydrographic variability over short-time intervals.     

The effect of railway privatization on train planning: A case study of the UK

The restructuring of the UK railway industry in preparation for privatization led to major changes being made to train planning processes. Subsequent train planning problems, some of which became very public, suggest that something went seriously wrong during the development or implementation of these revised processes. This paper investigates what went wrong and why, finding that several factors were involved, including the objectives the new processes were expected to meet and the software that was being developed to support the new processes. There are clear lessons to be learnt from the UK experience to inform debate on future railway restructuring initiatives.     

系泊参数对西非海域FPSO水动力性能影响的研究

应用三维势流理论及非线性时域耦合分析方法,研究了西非海域涌浪和风浪联合作用下,系缆根数、系缆长度和系缆间夹角等系泊参数对多点系泊FPSO水动力性能的影响,结果表明不同系缆根数或系缆长度对系缆动力响应和船体运动响应的低频部分有较大影响,为西非海域多点系泊FPSO系泊方案的设计与研究提供有效参考。     

刚果(布)国家1号公路边坡防护设计

研究目的:结合刚果(布)国家1号公路的边坡设计与施工,阐述工程边坡防护形式及发达国家边坡生态防护的理念和一些基本做法,并对边坡开挖过程中出现的病害提出了处理措施,希望能为我国工程设计人员提供有益的借鉴。研究结论:边坡生态防护是工程建设的重要内容之一,防护工程应树立"尊重自然、恢复自然"的理念;边坡生态防护形式需根据气候、水文、地形、土质、材料来源等情况综合考虑,因地制宜,合理布局;边坡生态防护需与周围环境相协调,即保持生态环境的相对平衡,又能起到美化的作用。