ECS Group, a leading global GSSA provider, has announced a strategic partnership with CMA CGM AIR CARGO, a division of the CMA CGM Group, renowned for its comprehensive logistics solutions across sea, land, and air. Effective April 1, 2024, ECS Group will serve as the appointed GSSA for CMA CGM AIR CARGO, responsible for commercializing air freight capacities on its flights. This collaboration aims to set new standards in operational
Author: Constance Makungu
Hapag-Lloyd Takes Strides in Green Shipping with Methanol Retrofit Contract
Last week’s announcement of Zemba awarding Hapag-Lloyd a zero-emission contract has propelled the Hamburg carrier further into the realm of green shipping innovations. In its latest endeavor, Hapag-Lloyd has inked a deal with Seaspan Corporation to retrofit five 10,100-TEU charter vessels with dual-fuel engines capable of running on methanol. These container ships currently rely on conventional MAN S90 engines. Dr. Maximilian Rothkopf, Hapag-Lloyd’s COO, expressed the company’s commitment to sustainability,
Sea-air cargo into Africa spikes on the back of missile strikes
Intermodal airfreight hub operations serving African imports have found an unlikely ally in the situation south of the Suez, where heightened risk because of attacks on maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, has driven down ocean cargo by as much as 50%. Kenya Airways’ head of cargo commercial, Peter Musola, has explained that the driver of demand in air freight this year has been the increase
Severe Weather Dampens Container Throughput at South African Ports
Severe weather conditions along South Africa’s coastline have led to a significant decline in container throughput, reaching its lowest levels in weeks, according to the latest Cargo Movement Update compiled by the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) and Business Unity SA (Busa). For the week ending April 12, commercial ports processed an average of 6,180 containers per day, a notable decrease from the previous week’s figure of 8,061
DP World Leads Latin America’s Electric Truck Revolution at Port of Callao
DP World’s Port of Callao terminal has taken a pioneering step in Latin America with the launch of the region’s first electric charging station for trucks. This initiative is part of DP World’s broader decarbonization plan aimed at reducing over 2,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The new infrastructure, situated within a newly constructed pier, will accommodate twenty 100% electric internal transport trucks, marking the largest fleet recently acquired
Rain unlocks more traffic through Panama’s Gatun Lake locks
Vessel traffic between the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean, constrained by the worst drought on record in Panama, will be alleviated by the canal’s authority deciding to increase its daily booking slots from 27 to 32. The Autoridad del Canal de Panamá announced the decision in an advisory to the liner trade. It includes a decrease in the draught restriction placed on vessels passing through the Gatun Lake locks — from
Emerging Trends in Vehicle Importation and Transport at South African Ports
South Africa’s importation of electric vehicles (EVs) and the containerization of EV units are two notable trends in the country’s automotive industry, as highlighted by Denzil Reddy of SA Cargo in KwaZulu-Natal. Reddy pointed out a significant increase in the arrival of EVs at the Port of Durban, signaling a growing demand for environmentally friendly vehicles in the market. Moreover, he noted the recent introduction of the first hydrogen vehicle
Rio Tinto, WCS, and CTG Mark Milestone with First Beam Installation on Trans-Guinean Railway
The first beam of the Trans-Guinean railway connecting the Simandou mine to the Atlantic coast has been installed in Guinea-Conakry. The inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of General Mamadi Doumbouya, President of the Republic of Guinea-Conakry. Jointly established in 2023 by the Guinean government, the Winning Consortium Simandou Railway (WCSR), Rio Tinto-Simfer and the Trans-guinean company (CTG) will collectively manage the railway and port infrastructure built under the Simandou project.
Addressing Coal Theft in South Africa: JustWeights Proposes Innovative Technological Solutions
Coal theft in South Africa’s road freight sector, often facilitated by collusion between syndicates and corruptible truck drivers, can be effectively addressed through innovative technological solutions, says a leading provider of such technology, JustWeights. Their interventionist strategy aims to prevent breakdowns at coal-fired power stations and root out corruption among transporters. By implementing automated weighbridge systems and load-sample testing using cost-effective truck auger systems, JustWeights ensures the integrity of coal
US Army Corps of Engineers to Reopen Limited Access Channel to Port of Baltimore
The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, anticipates reopening a limited access channel, 280 feet wide and 35 feet deep, to the Port of Baltimore by the month’s end. This channel will facilitate one-way traffic for barge container service and select roll-on/roll-off vessels transporting automobiles and farm equipment. Collaborating with local, state, and federal partners, USACE is actively clearing wreckage along the Fort McHenry Channel, aiming to restore