The Angolan government has opened tenders for the concession of maritime passenger and cargo terminals at the ports of Cabinda and Soyo, in a strategic move to enhance regional logistics and stimulate economic growth. The 20-year concession contracts will cover the management, operation, and maintenance of the two terminals, with the goal of strengthening coastal shipping (cabotage), improving transport efficiency, and creating employment opportunities. Positioned as vital gateways for maritime
Category: Shipping News
DP World and Mota-Engil to Develop DRC’s First Deep-Sea Port
DP World has appointed multinational construction firm Mota-Engil to lead the development of the Port of Banana in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), positioning the country as a key trade hub in the region. Located in Kongo Central province on the Atlantic coast, the port represents a major infrastructure investment aimed at reducing business costs and strengthening the DRC’s economic independence. As the country’s first fully equipped maritime
Drydocks World to Overhaul FPSO Baobab Ivoirien for 15-Year Life Extension
Drydocks World has secured a contract to refurbish and extend the lifespan of the FPSO Baobab Ivoirien, with work set to begin in May. Awarded by MODEC Management Services, the eight-month project will include significant structural upgrades, such as the renewal of 1,000 tonnes of steel, 250,000 square meters of tank coating, and the installation of 11,500 meters of new piping. The overhaul will also enhance crew living quarters and
Dangote to Build Nigeria’s Largest Seaport in Ogun State
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group, has announced plans to develop Nigeria’s largest seaport in Ogun State. Dangote made the announcement last week during a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun, stating that the project would be located in the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFTZ). “We initially abandoned our plans to invest in the Olokola Free Trade Zone, but thanks to Governor Abiodun’s investor-friendly policies, we are
MSC Awaits Stability in the Red Sea Before Resuming Transit through Suez Canal
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) CEO, Soren Toft, stated that the shipping line is waiting for the full restoration of stability in the Red Sea before redirecting its vessels back to the region. Toft made these comments during a video conference with Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman, Ossama Rabiee, where they discussed the current situation in the Red Sea. The meeting was attended by several SCA board members, along with an
Port of Cape Town Delays Force Maersk to Reroute Ships Amid Ongoing Infrastructure Challenges
Inclement weather and delays at the Port of Cape Town, coupled with the state-owned port and rail operator’s struggle to recover from wind-related disruptions, have forced Maersk to significantly adjust its shipping schedules. Over the weekend, The Cape Independent reported that the Danish shipping line had informed customers of extended wait times at the port, with delays of up to 10 days becoming increasingly common. Due to idling at anchorage,
Escalating Tensions in the Red Sea Threaten Maritime Trade Normalisation
The prospects of normalising maritime trade through the Red Sea by mid-2025 appear unlikely following recent military actions by the United States against Houthi rebel command structures in Yemen. The U.S. confirmed conducting lethal airstrikes in Sana’a, the Yemeni capital, which is home to most of the Ansar Allah militia leadership. While U.S. officials reported killing several Houthi leaders in the targeted operations, these claims have not been independently verified
Global Container Volumes Continue Upward Trend with 5.8% Growth in January
Global container volumes saw a significant increase in January, reaching 15.4 million TEUs, marking a 5.8% year-on-year (y-o-y) growth, according to Container Trade Statistics (CTS) data. “Based on CTS data, we calculate that global TEU miles – adjusted for nautical distance – grew 8.1% y-o-y in January, absorbing more vessel capacity,” said Alan Murphy, CEO of maritime consultancy Sea-Intelligence. January also saw strong growth in head-haul container trades, which rose
Mozambican Ports Handle 70,170 Tonnes in 2024 Despite Maputo’s Decline
Mozambican ports handled 70,170 tonnes of cargo in 2024, marking a 10.7% increase from 2023, despite a slight decline in traffic at the Port of Maputo, which accounted for nearly half of the total volume, according to official data compiled by Lusa. Cargo movement at the ports of Beira and Nacala grew by 12.9% and 13.6%, respectively, while Maputo saw a marginal decline of 0.3% compared to the previous year.
Tanzania and Kenya Compete for Hub Status as Port Expansion Drives Regional Growth
Port expansion efforts, both underway and planned, are intensifying competition among operators as they vie for key hub status to support the growing integration of the region into global supply chains. The primary contenders in this race are Tanzania and Kenya. Tanzania’s plans have gained significant momentum with the European Union (EU) investing EUR 15 million into the Tanzania Trade and Transport Improvement Project, which is set to launch in