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Shipping News West Africa

West Africa Emerges as Strategic Maritime Hub Amid Global Shipping Route Shifts

May 29, 2026May 29, 2026 Constance Makungu

Middle East Shipping Disruptions Drive Major Maritime Investment Boom Across West Africa Rising tensions in the Middle East and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are reshaping global maritime trade routes, driving increased investment and expansion by major shipping and logistics companies across West Africa. As vessels increasingly avoid traditional Middle Eastern chokepoints, shipping lines traveling between Asia and Europe are being forced to reroute around the Cape

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Railway News Southern Africa

South Africa Opens Freight Rail Network to Private Operators in Landmark Logistics Reform

May 28, 2026May 28, 2026 Constance Makungu

Transnet Signs 11 Private Operators to Run Freight Rail as South Africa Launches Major Logistics Reform to Boost Exports Transnet has opened its freight rail network to private operators in the country’s most significant rail reform in decades, aiming to restore efficiency to a logistics system that has long constrained exports and economic growth. The state-owned logistics group has concluded agreements with 11 private rail operators who will begin running

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East Africa Ports & Terminals Shipping News

FESCO Expands Africa Strategy with First Container Shipment to Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam Port

May 28, 2026May 28, 2026 Constance Makungu

Russian Logistics Giant FESCO Targets Tanzania Expansion After First Container Shipment to Dar es Salaam Russian logistics company FESCO Transportation Group is advancing plans to expand its commercial operations in Tanzania, marking a strategic step in its broader push to grow its footprint across Africa. The company recently completed its first container shipment to the Port of Dar es Salaam, signaling the beginning of new trade routes linking Russia and

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Ports & Terminals Shipping News Southern Africa

Transnet Reports Strong Growth Across South African Ports as Cargo Volumes Reach Multi-Year High

May 27, 2026May 27, 2026 Constance Makungu

South Africa’s Transnet Records 9% Rise in Vessel Arrivals and Strongest Port Cargo Growth Since 2011 South Africa’s state-owned logistics company, Transnet, has reported strong growth across the country’s port system for the 2025/26 financial year, signaling improving trade activity and growing confidence in the country’s logistics sector. The company announced a 9% year-on-year increase in vessel arrivals, alongside notable gains in cargo volumes across several major categories. According to

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Ports & Terminals Shipping News Southern Africa

Namibian Ports Handle 8.4 Million Tonnes in 2025 as South Africa and Zambia Dominate Cargo Flows

May 27, 2026May 27, 2026 Constance Makungu

South Africa and Zambia Account for Nearly 70% of Namibia’s Cross-Border Port Cargo in 2025 Amid 19% Trade Growth Surge In 2025, 35% of all cross-border cargo processed at Namibian ports came from South Africa, with Zambia contributing 34%, collectively accounting for almost 70% of the total. Botswana’s share was 18%, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at 10%, and Malawi at 8%. This data is sourced

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East Africa Road Freight

Mozambique and Tanzania to Launch Joint Border Demarcation Project to Strengthen Cooperation and Security

May 27, 2026May 27, 2026 Constance Makungu

Mozambique and Tanzania to Invest $400,000 in Joint Rovuma River Border Demarcation Project to Improve Security and Cross-Border Management Mozambique and Tanzania are set to launch a joint border demarcation initiative next year aimed at improving clarity, management, and cooperation along their shared boundary. The project reflects growing collaboration between the two Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states. The initiative is estimated to cost approximately R6.8 million (around $400,000)

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East Africa Ports & Terminals

Tanzania Launches Direct SGR Cargo Link from Dar es Salaam Port to Boost Regional Trade Efficiency

May 27, 2026May 27, 2026 Constance Makungu

Tanzania Opens Direct Cargo Transfer via Standard Gauge Railway from Dar es Salaam Port, Cutting Costs and Strengthening East Africa Trade Hub Role Tanzania is set to mark a major milestone in its transport and logistics sector on June 1 with the official launch of direct cargo transfers from the Port of Dar es Salaam to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR). The development is expected to significantly enhance efficiency in

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East Africa Ports & Terminals

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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