Logistics

COLI Group moves Liebherr crane to Ivory Coast (Image source: COLI Group)

COLI Group has completed two projects to move large, out-of-gauge shipments to Ivory Coast

The first lift involved the movement of a set of 90-tonne generators from Bergen in Norway to Abidjan, together with specific lifting gear and additional 30 t alternators.

COLI arranged the ocean transport, including chartering a breakbulk vessel and handling the vessel’s agency.

The units were loaded directly on MAFI-trailers, with lashing, seafastening, marine surveys and port agency all handled in-house.

In the second project, the company coordinated the shipment of a used Liebherr crane to an Ivorian mine.

This took the mobile Liebherr crane from the Dutch village of Geertruidenberg in the Netherlands to the port of Abidjan for onward delivery to the mining site inland.

Other recent non-African assignments completed by Coli Group include the movement of a single Atlas Copco compressor from Antwerp, Belgium to the port of Antofagasta, Chile, and the shipment of a metro railcar from Brazil to France.

All of the projects were coordinated by the group’s Antwerp office.

Eduardo Pijpe, account manager at COLI Antwerp, said it had been a very busy start to 2026.

“These four were not our biggest projects ever, and that is rather the point— individually they can be seen as routine project cargo; together, they map what our team handles frequently, and show the versatile portfolio we can offer to our clients,” he said.

“Four shipments, four continents, eight countries, and different sets of rules, languages and expectations in every one of them. From small breakbulk consignments to full heavy lift charters, a client only hands you a job like that if they trust you with every part of it – that is what makes me proud.”

Established in 1974, COLI Schiffahrt & Transport is a German logistics solutions provider focusing on breakbulk, project and heavy lift cargoes.

In addition to its headquarters in Hamburg, the COLI Group has offices in Antwerp, Bremen, Rotterdam, Istanbul, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Guyana, Dubai, Singapore, Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo, plus a global presence via an extensive network.

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MIGA issues US$62.6mn guarantee to Mota-Engil for Angola's Lobito railway corridor, boosting jobs and mineral trade. (Image source: MIGA)

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), part of the World Bank Group Guarantee Platform, has issued guarantees backing the modernisation of Angola's Lobito railway corridor, a move set to generate employment while strengthening the country's trade and logistics capacity for critical minerals vital to the energy transition

MIGA has provided US$62.6mn in guarantees to Portuguese construction firm Mota-Engil, covering its equity investments in Lobito Atlantic Railway, which manages the Lobito Corridor under a 30-year concession granted by the Angolan government. The company oversees the operation, upkeep, and long-term upgrading of roughly 1,300 kilometres of railway running from the Port of Lobito on Angola's Atlantic coast to Luau at the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with a mineral terminal at the port.

The corridor provides one of the shortest and most cost-effective paths connecting the DRC's copper- and cobalt-rich Copperbelt to global export markets, cutting transit times well below those of existing road routes. Both copper and cobalt are critical to clean energy technologies such as EV batteries and energy storage systems, and demand for these minerals is projected to rise sharply in the decades ahead.

At full capacity, the project is expected to create more than 1,600 direct jobs, with Angolan nationals making up 97% of the workforce. The corridor currently employs around 945 workers, including 529 who transferred from state-owned rail and port operators — a shift that is helping build local skills across the route.

"The Lobito Corridor will play an essential role in creating jobs, strengthening trade, and supporting the global energy transition," said Tsutomu Yamamoto, managing director at MIGA.

"We are proud to support Mota-Engil and Lobito Atlantic Railway in this landmark project, which will bolster the country's trade and logistics infrastructure and boost Angola's economic competitiveness, while creating jobs for Angolans."

"The partnership with MIGA strengthens the conditions required to deliver an investment of this scale and reflects international confidence in the project and in the execution capabilities of its partners," said Manuel Mota, Vice-CEO of the Mota-Engil Group.

"For Mota-Engil, its participation in the Lobito Corridor represents the continuation of an 80-year commitment to Angola and the conviction that strategic projects must be built on strong partnerships, a long-term vision and the creation of sustainable value for the country and the wider region."

Through its political risk insurance, MIGA will shield Mota-Engil's equity stake in Lobito Atlantic Railway from risks including expropriation, war and civil unrest, and breach of contract.

Wärtsilä expands support for Mercy Ships vessels. (Image source: Wärtsilä)

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed new Lifecycle Agreements with Mercy Ships International, extending its support for the organisation’s hospital vessels that provide free medical care and training across underserved communities in Africa

The agreements cover a five-year renewal of the existing service agreement for Global Mercy, the world’s largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship, as well as a three-year service agreement for Africa Mercy II, Mercy Ships’ latest newbuild vessel. Both ships are equipped with Wärtsilä engines.

The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2026.

For Mercy Ships, vessel reliability is critical to its ability to deliver medical services. The organisation operates hospital ships that provide free surgeries, medical care and healthcare training in regions where access to healthcare is limited. Keeping the vessels operational and reducing unplanned downtime is therefore essential to maintaining continuity of these services.

"Our ability to provide medical care depends on the availability and reliability of our vessels. Wärtsilä's support helps us plan maintenance more effectively and reduce the risk of unexpected disruptions, allowing us to focus on our mission. Based on the positive results of our existing agreement for Global Mercy, we are pleased to continue this collaboration and extend similar support to Africa Mercy II,” commented Ciarán Holden, director of technical operations - Mercy Ships International.

Wärtsilä brings predictive maintenance to Mercy Ships

The Lifecycle Agreements combine several services designed to support the long-term operational performance of the vessels. The scope includes spare parts, field services, crew training and Wärtsilä’s Expert Insight digital predictive maintenance service.

Expert Insight combines advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and Wärtsilä’s technical expertise to identify potential equipment issues before they develop into operational disruptions. By providing earlier insight into possible maintenance requirements, the service supports vessel availability and enables more predictable maintenance planning.

"Mercy Ships performs extraordinary work in delivering healthcare where it is needed most. These agreements are designed to provide the operational reliability, maintenance predictability and technical support required to keep their vessels available for service,” explained Henrik Wilhelms, director, Agreement Sales - Wärtsilä Marine.

“We are proud to support an organisation whose mission has such a meaningful impact on communities around the world."

The Global Mercy operates as both a floating hospital and medical training centre. The vessel has six operating rooms alongside extensive training facilities and is powered by four Wärtsilä 32 engines, each delivering 3,360 kW of power for propulsion and critical onboard hospital operations.

Wärtsilä’s continued service support is intended to help maintain the vessel’s operational readiness as it carries out Mercy Ships’ medical mission.

Meanwhile, Africa Mercy II is currently under construction and is scheduled for delivery in 2028. The new vessel will further expand Mercy Ships’ capacity to provide medical services and strengthen healthcare systems in underserved communities across Africa.

Through the renewed and extended Lifecycle Agreements, Wärtsilä will provide ongoing technical and maintenance support for both vessels, helping Mercy Ships maximise vessel availability and maintain the reliability required for its healthcare operations.

Volvo Buses to supply 38 locally bodied electric buses to Cape Town. (Image source: Volvo)

Volvo Buses will supply 38 Volvo BZR Low Entry Electric buses to the City of Cape Town, introducing the first locally bodied electric buses in South Africa

The buses will operate within the city’s electric passenger transport system, supporting its transition towards zero-emission public mobility.

“This is a landmark project for both Cape Town and for us. We can be very proud to introduce electric buses to the city, and in doing so, prove that we acknowledge and support a sustainable future,” commented Leon Nelson, director, Volvo Buses in South Africa.

Electric bus platform and local manufacturing

Based on Volvo Buses’ flexible BZR platform, the Volvo BZRLE Electric is designed to accommodate different operational requirements while supporting long-term electrification strategies. The bus bodies will be designed and manufactured locally by Gauteng Bus and Coach Centre in Johannesburg.

The platform combines energy efficiency, operational reliability and passenger comfort for urban transport applications. The buses will feature a modern exterior and spacious interior designed to accommodate both seated and standing passengers.

The low-entry configuration is intended to provide smooth boarding and universal accessibility, including wheelchair accommodation and preferential seating. The installed energy capacity has been configured to meet the operational requirements of the City of Cape Town.

The transition from diesel to electric buses represents a significant change for public transport operators and requires detailed planning, coordination and collaboration between multiple stakeholders. Volvo Buses has acted as a strategic advisor throughout the process, applying a 360-degree approach that brings together local and global expertise to support infrastructure planning and system implementation.

For the Cape Town project, the charging infrastructure will be managed by the City of Cape Town, while Gauteng Bus and Coach Centre will manufacture the bus bodies locally in Johannesburg.

“The first buses are scheduled for delivery in 2027,” stated Rob Quintas, city councillor responsible for urban mobility in Cape Town. “We have ordered a minimum of 38 buses, but this number may increase with funding availability. The new buses will be paid for by means of Public Transport National Grant funding.”

Supporting South Africa’s electric mobility transition

The project combines electric bus technology with local manufacturing, infrastructure development and public transport funding. The introduction of locally bodied electric buses is also expected to strengthen domestic capabilities and build technical expertise as South Africa progresses towards more sustainable urban transport.

“This project demonstrates how electrification can be implemented in a way that strengthens local capabilities, builds technical competence, and contributes to the development of a future-ready public transport ecosystem. We are proud that Cape Town has chosen Volvo Buses as a partner towards a cleaner and more efficient urban transport system,” commented Manish Sahi, vice-president, Volvo Buses MIAC.

The Cape Town deployment forms part of Volvo Buses’ broader focus on sustainable passenger transport solutions. The company provides city and intercity buses, coaches and bus chassis, together with services designed to support productivity, uptime and safety.

Volvo Buses operates in more than 70 countries and, together with Volvo Trucks, has a network of more than 2,200 service and support locations. The company is part of the Volvo Group, which provides transport and infrastructure solutions including trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial motors.