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
Southern European forwarders expanding 
The Alonso Group, founded in 1962, is a big player in the logistics sector. Now it has set up a subsidiary in Morocco. The South Tyrolean logistician Fercam, in turn, recently made its debut in India. more
Statement on recent attacks in the Red Sea area
Members of the global shipping community are "appalled and deeply saddened" with the news that yet another seafarer seems to have been killed in a drone boat strike on 12 June while on board the "MV Tutor". This is the second fatal attack in which seafarers... more
Air cargo key for supply chain
South Africa’s e-commerce sector has experienced impressive growth in recent years too, thanks also to increasing demand for online shopping opportunities, the expansion of digital platforms and improvements in logistics and payment systems. Here’s ITJ correspondent Thola... more
New branding and investments in business growth
The African end-to-end supply chain provider Reload Logistics has introduced a new brand identity and also enhanced its capabilities and service offerings. The developments include the expansion of the RGT Warehouse in Zambia, the acquisition of five diesel-electric mainline... more
Volumes and rates from Mesa and Apac still rising
According to World ACD’s weekly analysis, average air cargo rates in May of USD 2.78/kg from Middle East and South Asia to global destinations were up +47%, year on year (yoy), with tonnages +17%. Bound for Europe, the month's average spot rate of around USD 3.35/kg was more... more
Lagos-Kano rail line reopens for traffic
On 6 June 2024, freight services resumed along the old narrow gauge stretch on the south-north corridor in Nigeria after the construction works to rehabilitate the track had been completed. The 1,300 km long line connects the Nigerian capital with the commercial hub of Kano in... more