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Shipping News West Africa

Dangote Plans New Vessel Fleet as Cargo Volumes Expand

September 19, 2026September 19, 2026 Constance Makungu

Dangote Eyes Chinese Shipyards for New Fleet as Cargo Movements Target 1,800 Annual Calls Dangote Group is preparing to expand its maritime operations by acquiring new vessels, with Chinese shipyards being considered as the group positions itself for a sharp increase in cargo movements linked to its growing industrial operations. Group Vice President for Oil, Gas and Fertiliser Devakumar Edwin said the company was considering ordering vessels from China and

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Railway News Southern Africa

Zimbabwe Seeks US$115M Afreximbank Facility to Upgrade Rail Network

September 19, 2026September 19, 2026 Constance Makungu

Zimbabwe Targets US$115M Afreximbank Loan for 10 Locomotives and 315 Rail Wagons Zimbabwe’s state-owned National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) is negotiating a US$115 million financing facility with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) to expand its freight capacity and rehabilitate parts of its railway network. The proposed facility would fund the acquisition of 10 locomotives and 315 wagons, as well as repairs to sections of NRZ’s rail infrastructure, according to Mutapa

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Central Africa Railway News

DRC Expands ONATRA Rail Fleet as River Transport Modernisation Advances

September 18, 2026September 18, 2026 Constance Makungu

DRC Orders New Locomotives and 42 Wagons as DRC Accelerates Rail and River Transport Upgrade The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has expanded the railway fleet of the Office National des Transports (ONATRA) as part of a broader government programme to modernise rail and inland waterway transport. The programme includes a new freight locomotive, additional locomotives and 42 new wagons, alongside investments in river navigation equipment and vessels. President Félix-Antoine

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Business Southern Africa

Botswana and Angola Target Trade Growth by Removing Cross-Border Transport Barriers

September 18, 2026September 18, 2026 Constance Makungu

Boko, Lourenço Call for Stronger Botswana-Angola Trade Connectivity Botswana and Angola are seeking to strengthen trade and transport links between the two countries, with Presidents Duma Boko and João Lourenço highlighting the need to address existing constraints on the movement of goods. The issue was raised during President Boko’s three-day state visit to Angola in September, where the two countries discussed measures to deepen economic and commercial cooperation. Lourenço said

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Railway News Southern Africa

Lobito Corridor targets major freight increase as rail investment accelerates

September 17, 2026September 17, 2026 Constance Makungu

Lobito Atlantic Railway targets 800,000 tonnes of cargo in 2027 after US$300 million investment Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR) is targeting a doubling of international cargo volumes to about 800,000 tonnes in 2027 as new investment strengthens the rail infrastructure connecting Angola with the mineral-producing regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The railway operator expects to move about 400,000 tonnes of international cargo in 2026, with volumes projected to

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North Africa Shipping News

Hapag-Lloyd Revises $4.2 Billion ZIM Deal to Protect Israel’s Strategic Shipping Routes

September 12, 2026September 12, 2026 Constance Makungu

Hapag-Lloyd Revises $4.2 Billion ZIM Deal to Protect Israel’s Strategic Shipping Routes German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd is revising its proposed $4.2 billion acquisition of Israeli container carrier ZIM Integrated Shipping Services following concerns over Israel’s maritime security and strategic independence. Under the revised proposal, ZIM would remain under Israeli control after being acquired by Israeli private equity firm FIMI. The changes are aimed at addressing concerns raised by the Israeli

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Central Africa Shipping News

DRC Launches SYGREM to Digitise Freight Management and Strengthen Cargo Tracking

September 5, 2026September 5, 2026 Constance Makungu

DRC Launches SYGREM Digital Platform to Modernise Freight Management and Track Cargo The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has launched a new digital platform aimed at centralising freight management, improving cargo traceability and strengthening oversight of revenue generated from freight-tracking services. The Multimodal Freight Management Office (OGEFREM) officially launched the Multimodal Fee Management System (SYGREM) in Kinshasa on September 1, 2026. The launch was presided over by Deputy Prime Minister

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Shipping News

Global Shipping Carrier Profits Jump 58% as Freight Market Conditions Improve

August 31, 2026August 31, 2026 Constance Makungu

Shipping Carrier Profits Surge 58% as Freight Market Strengthens Global shipping carriers recorded a 58% increase in profits, highlighting a significant improvement in financial performance across the container shipping industry. The sharp rise comes as carriers continue to benefit from stronger freight rates and changing conditions across major international trade routes. Higher revenues have helped offset elevated operating costs associated with longer sailing distances, vessel diversions and ongoing disruptions across

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Shipping News Southern Africa

Maersk Introduces R24,000 Import Surcharge Amid Rising Shipping Costs

August 31, 2026August 31, 2026 Constance Makungu

Maersk Introduces R24,000 Import Surcharge as Shipping Costs Rise Maersk is introducing an additional R24,000 import surcharge on selected cargo as ongoing disruptions and rising operational costs continue to put pressure on global shipping. The new charge will increase the cost of importing affected shipments into the region, adding further pressure to businesses already facing elevated freight, logistics and supply-chain costs. The surcharge comes as shipping lines continue to navigate

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Railway News Southern Africa

Botswana Railways Partners with Ntokoto Holdings to Strengthen Mining and Logistics

August 31, 2026August 31, 2026 Constance Makungu

Botswana Railways and Ntokoto Holdings Join Forces to Support Mining and Logistics Growth Botswana Railways has entered into a strategic partnership with Ntokoto Holdings to strengthen the country’s mining and logistics sectors and improve the movement of minerals and other commodities through Botswana’s rail network. The partnership is aimed at developing more efficient rail-based logistics solutions for the mining industry, with a particular focus on improving the transportation of bulk

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