Freight Trends Global -

Zimbabwe Opens Rail Network to Private Players Amid Rising Mineral Demand

October 7, 2024October 7, 2024 Constance Makungu

Zimbabwe’s state-owned railway operator, National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), has opened its network to private companies, including a unit of South Africa’s Grindrod, to boost freight volumes that have plummeted after years of underinvestment. Once transporting 12 million tons of cargo annually in the 1990s, NRZ now hauls less than 3 million tons due to a lack of locomotives and poor infrastructure maintenance. This decline was exacerbated by a sharp

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Air Freight Central Africa

Proflight Zambia Expands Fleet with New CRJ-200 Jet, Strengthening Regional Operations

October 6, 2024October 6, 2024 Constance Makungu

Proflight Zambia has announced the addition of a fifth Bombardier CRJ-200 passenger jet, further enhancing its position as a leading regional airline. This new acquisition underscores Proflight’s commitment to improving connectivity, operational capacity, and service excellence across Southern Africa. With the arrival of the CRJ-200, Proflight’s fleet now consists of five 50-seater Bombardier CRJ-200 passenger jets and a Bombardier CRJ-100 freighter. Eric Simukonde, Proflight’s Maintenance Manager and flight engineer for

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Railway News Southern Africa

Zambia Signs MoU to Boost Trade Through Lobito Corridor

October 4, 2024October 4, 2024 Constance Makungu

The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Quality Institutions (NQI) to implement the Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project, supported by an African Development Bank grant of US$8.1 million. This project aims to enhance both domestic and cross-border trade between Zambia, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The NQI comprises key regulatory bodies, including the Zambia Metrology Agency

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Air Freight Southern Africa

Congo Airways Granted 90-Day Moratorium to Resume Operations and Expand Fleet

October 3, 2024October 3, 2024 Constance Makungu

Congo Airways SA has been granted a 90-day moratorium by the International Civil Aviation Organization (IATA) and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Civil Aviation Authority. The Ministry of Transport, Communication Routes, and Disenclavement announced this extension on Monday, September 16, 2024, via their official X account. This moratorium is intended to allow Congo Airways to finalize the return to service of one of its Airbus A320 aircraft, registered as 9S-AKD,

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Air Freight Southern Africa

DRC Relaunches Air Congo with Inaugural Flight Set for December

September 26, 2024September 26, 2024 Constance Makungu

The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), under Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, has revived its plans to establish a new national airline, “Air Congo SA.” During the 14th Council of Ministers meeting held on Friday, September 20, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, confirmed that the project, stalled since 2023, is back on track. The inaugural flight is scheduled for December 1,

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America Shipping News

US Port Strike Threat Prompts Shipping Lines to Impose Surcharges

September 24, 2024September 24, 2024 Constance Makungu

Shipping companies are preparing for a potential strike at US ports along the East and Gulf Coasts as negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the US Maritime Alliance remain at a standstill. Major carriers, including Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), have announced surcharges in anticipation of the disruption. These companies expect continued strong cargo traffic during the peak season but are warning of global port

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Shipping News

Ocean Carriers Report Strong Q2 Profits Amid Diverging Market Dynamics

September 24, 2024September 24, 2024 Constance Makungu

In Q2, the world’s leading ocean container carriers posted substantial operating profits, though market conditions have resulted in varying performance across companies. Maersk Ocean shifted from a Q1 loss of $161 million to a profit of $470 million in Q2. Similarly, Hapag-Lloyd saw its earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) improve to $485 million. However, these positive results were outpaced by Asian carriers like Evergreen, which reported operating profits of

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Ports & Terminals Southern Africa

Transnet Enhances South African Port Operations with New Shore Tension Units

September 24, 2024September 24, 2024 Constance Makungu

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has delivered six hydraulic shore tension units to the Ports of Cape Town and Ngqura, aiming to reduce shipping and cargo delays caused by high swells and adverse weather conditions. This recent delivery increases the total number of units to 12, part of a larger batch of 52 shore tension systems procured in September 2023. Previously, eight units were already installed at these ports. The

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Ports & Terminals Shipping News

Crane Collapse Temporarily Halts Operations at Yantian Port

September 24, 2024September 24, 2024 Constance Makungu

Operations at the Port of Yantian were temporarily suspended following the partial collapse of a ship-to-shore (STS) crane onto a feeder container ship operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The incident occurred around 08:40 local time in Shenzhen, involving the MSC Riona, a 1998-built feeder vessel with a capacity of 1,730 TEU, which was on an intra-Asia route when the collision happened. Local reports indicate that the crane was

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Air Freight Southern Africa

TAAG Partners with Habana Forwarding to Expand Cargo Services

September 24, 2024September 24, 2024 Constance Makungu

TAAG, Angola’s national airline, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Habana Forwarding to enhance the transport of cargo and mail on the Luanda-Lisbon-Luanda and Luanda-Havana-Luanda routes. The one-year renewable agreement positions TAAG as Habana Forwarding’s preferred operator, enabling the transportation of diverse cargo to intercontinental destinations, particularly in the Americas, Africa, and Europe. The agreement was formalized by TAAG’s commercial director, Miguel Carneiro, and Habana Forwarding’s chairman, Cenén Portuindo

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