Truck breakdowns remain one of the biggest headaches in the transport industry, costing operators time, money and customer trust. With technology stepping in to predict and prevent failures, Vivo Energy has launched VE-CEM, a digital monitoring solution that promises to keep Africa’s fleets and equipment moving.
Unveiled in Cape Town, VE-CEM (Continuous Equipment Monitoring) is powered by Digital Twin technology from Vivo’s strategic partner Intangles. The system captures real-time data from a vehicle’s electronic control unit and delivers insights into engines, aftertreatment systems, brakes, batteries, alternators and air intake.
The VE-CEM also monitors the effect of driver behaviour on vehicle health and fuel use. Operators can view the data via dashboards that provide a full 360-degree picture of fleet and asset performance.
“At Vivo Energy, we don’t just fuel industries; we power transformation,” says Stan Mittelman, CEO of Vivo Energy. “With VE-CEM, our customers will be able to predict issues before they happen – slashing costs, boosting productivity and gaining greater confidence in their operations. This new offer will deliver real value where it matters most: keeping fleets and equipment working reliably, day after day.”
The solution is aimed at transport, mining, construction and agriculture – sectors where uptime is critical to profitability. It connects via a compact device that links directly into the vehicle or machine, giving instant access to predictive insights through a secure platform.
Proven in Africa, ready to roll out
Sharveen Maharaj, Engen General Manager: Commercial, adds: “Our commercial customers face real pressures: tight margins, high equipment maintenance costs, and rising expectations around safety and sustainability. VE-CEM provides the ability not just to monitor, but to predict equipment failures and take action before a breakdown ever occurs. That foresight changes the game. It turns maintenance into a strategic advantage, reduces costs, lowers fuel consumption, and improves fleet availability.”
Pilots with mining and fleet operators in Kenya, Senegal and Zambia have already shown the system’s ability to detect potential issues weeks in advance, reducing unplanned downtime. Rollout is now planned across Vivo Energy’s commercial operations, with scope for further digital solutions to follow.
Editor’s comment: Unplanned breakdowns are a drain on fleets across Africa, forcing operators into costly downtime and putting delivery schedules at risk. The ability to predict failures before they happen is more than just clever tech – it’s a survival tool in tough operating environments. FleetWatch sees this move by Vivo Energy and Intangles as another sign that digital intelligence is becoming central to modern trucking. Keeping vehicles moving safely and profitably is what it’s all about.
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