A sudden breakdown in the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) system has brought operations at the Port of Mombasa to a standstill, causing significant financial losses. Kenya’s tea sector, which typically generates around $25 million (Sh3.2 billion) per week by exporting roughly 150 tea containers daily, has been particularly affected, with a backlog of 750 containers now stranded at the port. Exporters are incurring heavy losses from mounting demurrage and logistics
Category: Ports & Terminals
Grindrod Halts Mozambique Port Operations Amid South Africa Border Closure and Unrest
Logistics company Grindrod has suspended port and terminal operations in Mozambique following South Africa’s temporary closure of the main border with its northeastern neighbor. The border closure was enacted over safety concerns due to violent post-election protests in Mozambique, which human rights organizations report have resulted in at least 18 deaths. The suspension is expected to impact goods and commodities transport in a region already grappling with logistical bottlenecks. State-owned
DP World Unveils £1-Billion Expansion to Transform London Gateway into UK’s Largest Container Port
Global logistics leader DP World has announced a £1-billion expansion of London Gateway, set to establish it as Britain’s largest container port within five years. The investment will fund the construction of two additional shipping berths, bringing the port’s capacity to six berths capable of accommodating the world’s largest container vessels. Additionally, a second rail terminal will be constructed to support the anticipated growth in containerized trade. By the end
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
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
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
Namibia’s Tridock Shipyard to Launch $728 Million Drydock Facility at Walvis Bay
Tridock Shipyard Namibia (Pty) Ltd has unveiled plans for a cutting-edge drydock facility at Walvis Bay, projected to cost $728 million. The facility, expected to generate an initial annual revenue of US$150 million (N$2.7 billion), aims to double this revenue within three years of operation, according to a recent report in Mining & Energy. The project will create approximately 1,000 direct jobs, along with a range of downstream employment opportunities,
Transnet Pushes Forward with Review Process Amid Durban Terminal Dispute
Transnet has announced it will act quickly to advance Part B of the review process for the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 dispute, pledging to proceed “without undue delay.” On Friday, the state-owned company (SOC) issued a statement confirming it would soon petition the court for a preferential hearing date for the review. The statement follows a Durban High Court ruling this week in which APM Terminals (APMT), a
CMA CGM Expands Moroccan Presence with New Terminal at Nador West Med Port
French shipping giant CMA CGM has solidified its position in Morocco by partnering with local port operator Marsa Maroc to manage half of the new east terminal at the Nador West Med Port. Located in northeastern Morocco, this facility will have a capacity of 1.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) once fully operational. Industry experts, including Alphaliner, see Morocco’s strategy with Nador West Med as an effort to replicate the