Emirates has announced a firm order for five additional Boeing 777 freighters, scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2026. This latest order brings the airline’s pending deliveries of the Boeing 777F to a total of 14, set to arrive by the end of 2026. To further bolster its cargo capacity, Emirates has also extended a multi-year lease with Dubai Aerospace Enterprise for four Boeing 777 freighters currently in its fleet.
Author: Constance Makungu
Maersk Defies Russian Threats with New Weekly Container Service to Ukraine
Maersk has launched a new weekly container service to Ukraine, pushing forward amid escalating Russian attacks on merchant ships and Ukrainian ports. According to the Ukrainian news portal Dumskaya, the first vessel under this service departed from Port Said, Egypt, on Thursday and is scheduled to reach Chornomorsk on October 22. Maersk’s Ukraine office issued a statement to clients, emphasizing that the new service “marks a significant step forward in
MSC Acquires Majority Stake in Brazilian Port Operator Wilson Sons
Mediterranean Shipping Company’s maritime services subsidiary, SAS Shipping Agencies Services, has agreed to acquire a 56.47% controlling stake in Brazilian port operator Wilson Sons for 4.3 billion Brazilian real (R13.44 billion). In a regulatory filing, Wilson Sons confirmed it received notification from its controlling shareholder, OW Overseas Investments, regarding the execution of a share purchase agreement. This agreement involves OW Overseas (the seller) and SAS Shipping Agencies Services Sàrl (the
Four Crew Members Missing After Russian Cargo Ship Capsizes Near Sakhalin Island
Four crew members remain missing after the small general cargo ship Grigory Lovtsov capsized near Korsakov port at the southern end of Sakhalin Island, in Russia’s Far East. Russian authorities reported that three crew members were rescued, though all are suffering from hypothermia. The Grigory Lovtsov, a 41-meter, 200-dwt vessel that has operated in Russia since 2010, was carrying a crew of seven. Sakhalin Oblast Governor Valery Limarenko stated on
Tragic Gangway Collapse on Sapelo Island Claims Seven Lives
Seven people were killed and three others seriously injured when an aluminum gangway collapsed at a ferry pier on Sapelo Island, Georgia, over the weekend. All the victims were senior citizens who had traveled to the island for a festival celebrating the culture of the Gullah Geechee, an African American ethnic group from the coastal Southeast. They were returning to the ferry landing when the gangway, connecting the shore to
Galp Energia Prepares for Major Drilling Operations Off Namibia with Santorini Drillship
A drillship formerly active in the Baleine offshore exploration area off Côte d’Ivoire has arrived off the coast of Namibia, where it is set to conduct single-well drilling for Portuguese energy multinational Galp Energia. The Santorini, owned by Italian oilfield services company Saipem SpA, is part of a significant investment totaling N$2.1 billion by Galp, following exploratory drilling in January 2023. Currently stationed off Long Beach between Walvis Bay and
Brazil’s Port Privatization Strategy Expands with Auction of 35 Terminals
Brazil has announced plans to auction off 35 terminals as part of its ongoing privatization efforts, marking a key step in the country’s strategy to modernize its port infrastructure. This announcement follows the recent acquisition by MSC subsidiary SAS Shipping Agencies Services, which secured a 56.47% stake in port operator Wilson Sons for 4.3 billion Brazilian reais. The government’s initiative aims to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in global trade by
AFC Report Highlights Inefficiencies in Africa’s Logistics Despite Port Investments
A new report from the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) raises concerns that significant investments in ports across the continent have not translated into improved inland logistics and supply chains. Since 2005, African ports have attracted an estimated $15 billion in investments, enabling upgrades and modernization to accommodate larger vessels and increased cargo volumes. Data from the African Development Bank reveals that container traffic through African ports surged nearly 50%, rising
Qatar Airways Launches World’s First Boeing 777 with Starlink Internet Service
Qatar Airways has launched the world’s first Boeing 777 equipped with Starlink, marking a significant advancement in in-flight connectivity. The announcement was made via a media release sent using the ultra-high-speed, low-latency internet service while flying at 35,000 feet from Doha to London. The complimentary Starlink service is available to all passengers from gate to gate. Initially targeting three Starlink-equipped aircraft, Qatar Airways now plans to deliver 12 upgraded Boeing
Transnet to Enhance Straddle Carrier Operations at Durban Container Terminals
Transnet has announced that component parts for 20 straddle carriers used at Durban Container Terminals (DCT) will be received by the end of November. This response comes as the state-owned logistics utility addresses ongoing equipment inefficiencies at DCT Pier 2. In a recent port update, Transnet acknowledged the low availability of straddle carriers, stating, “Despite our ongoing efforts, we are still experiencing low availability of straddle carriers, which is impacting