On January 29, 2025, Tanzania and Burundi signed an agreement to construct a 282-kilometer Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) linking Uvinza in Tanzania to Musongati in Burundi. The $2.15 billion project, awarded to China Railway Engineering Group Co. Ltd (CREGC) and China Railway Engineering Design and Consulting Group Co. Ltd (CREDC), is set for completion within 72 months. The signing ceremony took place at the John Pombe Magufuli SGR station in
Author: Constance Makungu
AD Ports Group Launches $250M Investment to Modernize Luanda Terminal and Logistics Hub
AD Ports Group (ADX: ADPORTS), a global leader in trade, logistics, and industry, has officially commenced the long-term management and development of a major multipurpose terminal and logistics business in Luanda, Angola. In partnership with Angolan firms Unicargas and Multiparques, the initiative aims to modernize port operations and strengthen regional trade networks. The Noatum Ports Luanda Terminal, Angola’s largest port, handles 76% of the country’s container and general cargo, serving
TAAG Angola Airlines Receives First Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, Advancing Fleet Modernization
TAAG Angola Airlines has welcomed its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, marking a key milestone in its ongoing fleet renewal strategy. Leased from AerCap, this aircraft is the first of four Dreamliners ordered by TAAG, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to expanding its long-haul operations and enhancing passenger experience. The new Dreamliner arrived in Luanda just ahead of Angola’s Liberation Day on February 4, featuring TAAG’s updated livery and symbolizing nearly 50
Eiffage Secures €100 Million Contract to Expand DRC’s Port of Matadi
French civil engineering firm Eiffage has been awarded a contract to renovate and expand the container terminal at the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Port of Matadi. The contract, valued at over €100 million, was secured through Eiffage’s subsidiary, Eiffage Génie Civil Marine. Located 150km upstream from the mouth of the Congo River, the Port of Matadi is the DRC’s primary port, handling 90% of the country’s container imports,
CMA CGM to Prioritize Alternative Routes via Cape of Good Hope Amid Regional Tensions
CMA CGM has confirmed that it will continue to use alternative routes through the Cape of Good Hope for its Asia-Europe trade services to ensure the safety of seafarers and vessels. This decision follows recent developments in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where Houthi rebels announced a ceasefire agreement on January 19, 2025, temporarily halting attacks on commercial vessels, except those that are Israeli-owned or -flagged. In a
Oshoek Border Post Reopens to Freight Traffic Following Collision
South Africa’s main logistics border with Eswatini has officially reopened to road freight, despite conflicting reports circulating on social media. Cross-border trade facilitator Louise Wiggett confirmed that a limited number of trucks were allowed through the Oshoek Border Post on Monday night, January 27. By Tuesday, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) verified that operations had been fully restored following a severe collision on Sunday morning. The accident occurred when
South Africa Strengthens Marine Protection with New Pollution Law
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment Bill into law, introducing stricter measures to safeguard South Africa’s oceans from ship-related pollution. In a statement on Tuesday, the Presidency emphasized the legislation’s role in both national and global efforts to protect the marine environment while ensuring the sustainable use of ocean resources. With South Africa’s coastline spanning over 3,000 kilometers—from Namibia’s Atlantic shores to
Port of Maputo Begins $164 Million Expansion to Boost Capacity and Trade
Construction has commenced on the $164 million expansion of the Port of Maputo’s container terminal, a project set to double its annual capacity from 255,000 TEUs to 530,000 TEUs. DP World and the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) announced the launch of Phase 1 of the two-year project in a joint statement on Monday. The expansion, undertaken by Shafa Construções, EA, Limitada, will significantly enhance the port’s efficiency and competitiveness
Freight Rates at Risk of Collapse Amid Shipping Uncertainty
The recent agreement between Israel and Hamas to pause hostilities has raised hopes that container ships may soon return to the Red Sea. However, the situation remains complex, and a large-scale return of vessels is far from certain, warns Xeneta’s chief analyst, Peter Sand. While diversions around the Cape of Good Hope are costly and inefficient, the shipping industry has managed to stabilize operations. Carriers will be reluctant to revert
Global Container Ship Orders Reach Record High Amid Market Uncertainty
The global container ship order book reached a record high of 8.3 million TEUs by the end of 2024, surpassing the previous high of 7.8 million TEUs in 2023. According to the latest BIMCO update, 4.4 million TEUs were ordered in 2024—the second-highest annual figure on record—despite deliveries also hitting a new peak of 2.9 million TEUs. Niels Rasmussen, Chief Shipping Analyst at BIMCO, highlighted the dominance of large vessels