In a significant boost to regional infrastructure, China, Tanzania, and Zambia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance the intermodal rail-sea transportation network in East Africa. The agreement, centered on the modernization of the Tanzania-Zambia railway, was signed in Beijing during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The event, attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, marks a new
Category: Shipping News
Secil Marítima Assures Restoration of Soyo-Cabinda and Cabinda-Luanda Routes Within Three Days
Secil Marítima announced on Friday that efforts are underway to restore normal operations on the Soyo-Cabinda and Cabinda-Luanda routes within three days, following the completion of repairs to damaged vessels. In a press release, Secil Marítima confirmed that technical teams are “working day and night” to resolve an issue with the propeller of one of the vessels operating on the Soyo-Cabinda and Cabinda-Luanda routes, part of the northern cabotage service.
Maersk Ship Allegedly Carrying Hazardous Waste Disappears After Warning
A Maersk container ship, carrying an estimated 327 tonnes of potentially hazardous waste, vanished from radar after the international watchdog group, the Basel Action Network (BAN), alerted the South African government about its arrival. The ship, named Maersk Campton, was scheduled to dock in Cape Town on August 1 but went off the grid after the warning. The ship is the first of two vessels reportedly transporting 100 containers of
Staffing Shortages and Sleep Deprivation Linked to Rising Maritime Accidents
Inadequate staffing, leading to sleep deprivation, has been identified as a significant contributor to the increasing number of accidents at sea. “Sleep deprivation heightens the risk of all types of accidents, especially falls and incidents involving heavy equipment,” says Houston-based law firm Arnold & Itkin. “This issue could be mitigated with shorter shifts, which would be possible with increased staffing. Even man overboard (MOB) accidents are partly a result of
India’s Major Ports Face Indefinite Strike as Dockworkers Demand Wage Resolution
Dockworkers at India’s twelve largest ports have announced an indefinite strike starting August 28, following prolonged and unsuccessful negotiations over wages and allowances that have been stalled for more than three years. The decision to strike was made after a two-day meeting at V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Thoothukudi, where members of the All India Port and Dock Workers’ Federation expressed their frustration over the ongoing deadlock in wage discussions. The
Port of Durban Implements New Measures to Ease Container Congestion
Public and private stakeholders have agreed on a series of changes aimed at alleviating congestion and delays for harbour carriers at the Port of Durban. These adjustments primarily target the landside dispatch of containers and are set to be trialed over two weeks, starting from 06h00 on August 16. The changes focus on improving Transnet’s current truck-slot booking system, which has been plagued by IT failures, corruption, and inefficiencies, leading
CMA CGM Belem Loses 99 Containers Off Richards Bay Amid Severe Weather
The container vessel CMA CGM Belem, sailing under the Maltese flag, encountered severe weather off the coast of Richards Bay over the weekend, resulting in the loss of 99 containers. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) confirmed the incident, attributing it to a “significant stow collapse” during rough conditions on Friday night. Initially, the vessel sought refuge in Maputo Bay, but after further assessment, it was redirected to Gqeberha
Container Rates Expected to Ease in Late 2024 Amid Market Shifts
Container rates are likely to ease in the second half of 2024 if current conditions persist without significant changes, according to the latest market update from Container xChange. This anticipated reduction could lead to an increase in container buyer activity, as buyers are currently waiting for prices to decline before resuming trading and leasing activities. The market outlook for the latter half of the year depends heavily on a revival
Shipping Companies Aim to Improve Fruit Quality by Controlling Full Reefer Logistics Chain
Shipping companies are increasingly taking control of the entire reefer logistics chain, from farm to final destination, to improve fruit quality and reduce wastage, according to logistics consultant Andy Connell. “It is inefficient to use reefers solely for port-to-port transport. They are mobile warehouses with refrigeration capabilities,” Connell told Freight News. “Reefers should be packed and kept under hermetically sealed conditions as close as possible to the point of production.
German Dock Workers Strike Amid Heated Wage Negotiations
German dock workers have launched strikes across the country as wage negotiations between the United Services Union (ver.di) and port operators intensify. Ver.di called for full-shift warning strikes at the Ports of Bremen and Wilhelmshaven on Wednesday and Thursday, while workers at the Ports of Hamburg and Bremerhaven initiated strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Port of Emden saw strikes on Wednesday only. This strike action aims to pressure employers