Only one out of 1,131,222 containers 
Ever fewer boxes lost at sea. A subjective impression may be wrong. Even though it felt as if the maritime shipping industry was dominated by unpredictable climatic conditions, piracy and terrorism, container shipping was never as safe as it was last year. According to the World... more
Namibia’s new treasure
Hydro dreams in a desert state. A ’research trip 3.0’ is on the list of journeys ITJ correspondent Clemens Finkbeiner-Dege still wants take. The goal would be to explore the African littoral state Namibia. The country, about twice the size of Germany, seduces visitors with... more
Rewarding meetings in Marrakesh 
During the WCA regional conference in Marrakesh last month, WCA World CEO Dan March and general manager – WCA World Specialty Networks, Adam McKenna, visited the Dar Tifl Orphanage. Following the earthquake that struck Morocco last September, the WCA World Foundation, using... more
Fresh impetus for Afro-Caribbean trade
The African Export-Import Bank has signed an agreement to launch a USD 1.86 million project preparation facility in favour of the government of the Bahamas to develop and implement an Afro-Caribbean marketplace. Once implemented, the project, which is expected to unlock... more
Strong air cargo demand continues in May
The International Air Transport Association (Iata) released data for May 2024 global air cargo markets showing continuing strong annual growth in demand. Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTKs), rose by 14.7% compared to May 2023 levels (15.5% for international... more
Around the world in 80 years
The logistics services provider LAM, founded in 1944, took the next big step in April by establishing national subsidiaries in three East Asian markets. Johan Vermeiren and Damiano Turriziani, the directors in charge of the new businesses in China, Hong Kong and Thailand, told... more
China/Africa: 1,000th rail/ship intermodal trip
The jubilee train, loaded with porcelain and other goods, was dispatched from Hunan in China and is now en route to Africa. The Hunan-Guangdong-Africa intermodal connection is China's first passage using Africa-bound rail and sea services. Departing from the CRRC Zhuzhou... more
MPS launches training simulator at Tema
Meridian Port Services (MPS), a joint venture between Ghana Ports and Harbours, Africa Global Logistics, and APM Terminals, has opened an equipment simulation facility at the port of Tema. This initiative, the first of its kind in Ghana, aims to enhance productivity... more
General cargo takes the lead in 2024
The growth of ‘general cargo’ airfreight tonnages is outpacing that of ‘special cargo’ products so far in 2024, new analysis from World ACD Market Data has revealed. This reverses a trend in recent years, in which demand from air cargo shipments requiring special handling and... more
MOL takes one more step in Southern Africa
Tokyo-based Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) is acquiring a 25% stake in the Tanzania-based Alistair Group. Its business centres on cross-border logistics services for trucking copper, cobalt, and other critical mineral resources produced in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia... more