Global iron ore shipments have declined by 7% year-on-year (y-o-y) in the first seven weeks of 2025, largely due to sluggish demand from China. Australia has been hit hardest, with exports down 10% compared to the previous year, while Brazilian shipments have fallen by 5%. The overall demand for tonne-mile sea freight shipments of iron ore has also dropped by 6% y-o-y, according to Filipe Gouveia, shipping analysis manager at
Author: Constance Makungu
Transnet Increases Resources to Boost Cape Town Container Terminal Efficiency
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has ramped up resources at the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) by deploying additional cranes and personnel to counter productivity losses caused by strong winds. In a statement on Wednesday, TPT reported that adverse weather over the past two weeks resulted in over 200 lost operational hours, leaving 12 vessels waiting at anchor. Wind speeds reached between 100 km/h and 120 km/h, exceeding the 80 km/h
EU Extends Red Sea Maritime Security Mission Until 2026
The European Union (EU) Council has extended the mandate of its maritime security operation in the Red Sea, EUNAVFOR Aspides, until February 28, 2026, to safeguard freedom of navigation in the region. In a statement, the Council confirmed that the extension follows a strategic review of the operation and comes with a reference budget of over €17 million for the period. “To enhance maritime situational awareness, Operation Aspides will not
Canadian Coast Guard Rescues 20 Crew Members from MSC Baltic III Grounding
The Canadian Coast Guard successfully rescued 20 crew members from the MSC Baltic III over the weekend after the vessel lost power and ran aground off the coast of Newfoundland. According to the Coast Guard, Marine Communications and Traffic Services in Port aux Basques received a mayday call from the ship on Saturday after it experienced a blackout about 12 nautical miles off the Bay of Islands. Severe weather and
Botswana to Boost Rail Network Investment for Economic Growth
The rail development is part of a broader proposed infrastructure budget of P11.54 billion (R15.4 billion). “Railway infrastructure is essential to industrial and logistical operations. It offers a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable transportation solution,” said Gaolathe. The total budget for rail projects amounts to P156 million, covering the rehabilitation of the Limpopo Corridor, the procurement of Botswana Railway Workshop equipment, and feasibility studies for the Mmamabula-Lephalale and Mosetse-Kazungula railways. Gaolathe
Landmark Agreement to Digitize Seafarer Certification Signed by ICS, LROO, and Marina
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), Lloyd’s Register OneOcean (LROO), and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) of the Philippines Department of Transportation have signed a significant agreement to digitize seafarer certification processes. In a statement, ICS revealed that the parties have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a pilot project aimed at integrating seafarer certification systems and developing a new mobile application. The MoU, signed at the
Malawi Joins SAATM, Strengthening Africa’s Air Transport Integration
Malawi has officially become the 38th African country to join the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), marking a major milestone in the African Union’s efforts to unify the continent’s airspace and boost regional integration. The signing ceremony took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during the 38th African Union Summit. Malawi’s Foreign Minister, Honourable Nancy Tembo, signed the Solemn Commitment in the presence of H.E. Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, the AU
South Africa to Engage Private Sector in Transport and Logistics Projects
The Department of Transport and state-owned Transnet will launch market engagements within the next two months to attract private sector participation (PSP) in key infrastructure projects, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana confirmed in his 2025 Budget speech, initially scheduled for delivery on February 19. The planned PSP projects cover major freight rail corridors, including iron ore, chrome, coal, and manganese lines. Additional initiatives include expanding and automating the ferrochrome and magnetite
DRC Secures Land for Kalamba-Mbuji Dry Port to Boost Angola Trade
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Multimodal Freight Management Office (OGEFREM) has secured title deeds for a 70-hectare site designated for a dry port in Kalamba-Mbuji, a border village in Kasaï-Central near Angola. The official handover took place on February 10. “We’ve obtained a pivotal document—our concession deed—putting an end to all speculation,” stated Jean Mukuluboy Kelemwanga, OGEFREM’s Director of General Services. He emphasized that this marks a significant milestone in
Mbuji-Mayi Airport Modernization to Enable Accommodation of Large Aircraft by September 2025
Mbuji-Mayi Airport is set to accommodate large aircraft following the completion of ongoing modernization work. This announcement was made on Monday, February 25, 2025, after a working session between Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Communication Channels, and Disenclavement, Jean-Pierre Bemba, and a delegation from the Chinese firm CHINA JIANGXI Corporation, responsible for the airport’s renovation and modernization. Michael Cheng, the representative of CHINA JIANGXI Corporation in the Democratic