Freight Trends Global -

Maersk Halts Berbera Port Bookings, Raising Concerns for Ethiopia Trade Routes

May 6, 2026May 6, 2026 Constance Makungu

Maersk Suspends Cargo Bookings to Berbera Port, Disrupting Horn of Africa Trade Corridor A.P. Moller–Maersk has suspended new cargo bookings to and from the Port of Berbera, a move likely to disrupt a key trade corridor linking the Horn of Africa to inland markets. In a notice issued to customers, the shipping group confirmed it is temporarily halting acceptance of new bookings with immediate effect, citing scheduling changes. “We are

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Air Freight

IATA Urges African Governments to Unlock Aviation’s Economic Potential

May 6, 2026May 6, 2026 Constance Makungu

IATA Calls for Lower Costs, Better Regulation to Boost Africa’s Aviation Growth The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on African governments to treat aviation as a strategic pillar of long-term economic growth, warning that high costs, regulatory inefficiencies, and policy gaps continue to limit the sector’s potential. Speaking at the IATA Focus Africa Conference 2026 in Addis Ababa, Kamil Alawadhi emphasized aviation’s broader economic role. “Aviation is economic

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Road Freight Southern Africa

Severe Groblersbrug Congestion Slows Cross-Border Trade and Raises Trucking Costs in Southern Africa

May 6, 2026May 6, 2026 Constance Makungu

SARS Approves Diversion of Cargo as Groblersbrug Border Congestion Drives Up Transport Costs and Delays The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has approved the diversion of pre-cleared cross-border cargo to alternative entry points into Botswana in an effort to ease severe congestion at the Groblersbrug Border Post (GRB). The intervention comes after ongoing bottlenecks along the N11 corridor, which has become a major choke point for regional freight movement, significantly

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Railway News Southern Africa

UAE’s African Rail Company Targets South Africa Freight Rail Market Under Transnet Reform

May 6, 2026May 6, 2026 Constance Makungu

ARC Plans $170M Entry into South Africa Rail Sector as Transnet Opens Network to Private Operators A United Arab Emirates–based rail logistics company, African Rail Company (ARC), is preparing to enter South Africa’s freight rail market as Transnet opens its network to private operators under its third-party access framework. ARC is aiming to raise approximately $170 million (about R2.8 billion) to fund the acquisition of locomotives and wagons for operations

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Railway News Southern Africa

Zambia to Begin Construction of Lobito Corridor Railway Link in 2026

May 4, 2026May 4, 2026 Constance Makungu

Zambia to Launch Lobito Corridor Rail Construction in 2026 to Boost Copper and Cobalt Exports Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has confirmed that construction of a key railway link connecting the country’s mining regions to Angola’s Port of Lobito will begin later this year, marking significant progress on the Lobito Corridor project. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference after a meeting with the African Finance Corporation the project’s main promoter

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Shipping News

China Expands Direct Shipping Routes to Africa Ahead of Zero-Tariff Trade Policy

April 30, 2026April 30, 2026 Constance Makungu

China Launches New Africa Shipping Routes as Zero-Tariff Access for 53 Countries Begins in May 2026 China is expanding its maritime trade footprint across Africa through new direct shipping routes from key domestic ports, a move aimed at improving logistics efficiency and strengthening commercial ties ahead of planned tariff reductions in 2026. According to Global Times, Beijing will introduce zero-tariff access for 53 African countries with diplomatic relations, effective May

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Southern Africa

Zambia and Zimbabwe Plan New Zambezi Bridge to Boost Trade and Protect Victoria Falls Landmark

April 30, 2026April 30, 2026 Constance Makungu

Zambia and Zimbabwe to Build New Zambezi Bridge for Freight as Victoria Falls Bridge Shifts to Tourism Use Zambia and Zimbabwe have announced plans to construct a new road and rail bridge across the Zambezi River, aiming to improve freight movement while preserving the historic Victoria Falls Bridge. The new structure will be built a few kilometers downstream and is designed to handle heavy cargo traffic, including freight trains and

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Ports & Terminals

DP World Launches Brazil–Africa Trade Corridor to Boost Cross-Continental Logistics

April 30, 2026April 30, 2026 Constance Makungu

DP World Unveils Brazil–Africa Link Connecting Santos Port to African Markets with Integrated Logistics Network DP World has launched a new integrated trade corridor linking Brazil to Africa, aiming to strengthen connectivity between Latin America’s largest economy and fast-growing African markets. Known as the Brazil–Africa Link, the corridor was officially unveiled at Intermodal South America 2026 in São Paulo. The service connects export flows from the Port of Santos to

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Ports & Terminals Shipping News Southern Africa

Namibia Expands Walvis Bay Port to Position Itself as Southern Africa’s Logistics Gateway

April 30, 2026April 30, 2026 Constance Makungu

Namibia Invests $126.5M in Walvis Bay Port Upgrade to Rival South Africa’s Congested Trade Routes Namibia is accelerating its push to become a regional logistics hub with a $126.5 million upgrade of Walvis Bay Port, aimed at improving trade efficiency for landlocked neighbors. The project includes the addition of six rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, which will significantly boost container handling capacity and reduce vessel turnaround times. It is being implemented

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Air Freight West Africa

Nigerian Airlines Warn of Flight Disruptions as Aviation Fuel Prices Surge

April 28, 2026April 28, 2026 Constance Makungu

Nigeria’s Airlines Face Operational Crisis After 270% Spike in Aviation Fuel Costs Threatens Flight Services Airline operators in Nigeria have raised serious concerns over a sharp and unprecedented surge in aviation fuel prices, reporting an increase of approximately 270%. Industry leaders say the spike far exceeds global trends and is placing severe financial strain on carriers, threatening the sustainability of airline operations across the country. The Airline Operators of Nigeria

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