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
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