Transport-a-logistics - Transport a logistics

Logistics

New maritime gateway: UAE to Somaliland

DP World launches new Jebel Ali–Berbera route, enhancing East Africa’s trade links

DP World has unveiled a new strategic shipping route linking Jebel Ali Port in the UAE to Berbera Port in Somaliland

Operating every nine days, the service strengthens DP World’s global network and enhances Berbera’s position as a key logistics hub and maritime gateway in East Africa.

The Jebel Ali–Berbera route improves trade connectivity between the Gulf and East Africa, providing a faster maritime link to Somaliland. Scheduled stops at Aden and Djibouti further expand access to vital port cities, enabling smoother connections to markets across the Horn of Africa.

From Berbera, cargo can reach inland destinations, including Ethiopia, offering an alternative to the traditional Djibouti Port-dependent overland routes. The service also promises more predictable transit times while mitigating risks from regional bottlenecks.

Berbera Port features a 1,050-metre quay with a 400-metre section capable of handling Triple E vessels, extensive bulk and breakbulk facilities, and an annual livestock handling capacity of around four million heads.

Ganesh Raj, group chief operating officer, Marine Services at DP World, said, "The Jebel Ali to Berbera service further complements our investment drive into Africa. Building on the significant infrastructure we have developed across the continent, the service enhances connectivity for our customers as we continue to boost trade links between the Middle East and East Africa."

"In doing so, we are supporting the growth of resilient, sustainable corridors that unlock prosperity for our partners, customers and the communities we serve," he added.

Berbera is home to the region’s most modern container terminal and the Berbera Special Economic Zone (BSEZ), designed to attract foreign investment and support long-term industrial growth.

DP World holds a 58.5% stake in the Berbera container and general cargo terminal, providing deep-water access to major East–West shipping lanes. The nearby Berbera Economic Zone further accelerates local industrialisation, while the port handles over 4.1 million heads of livestock annually, generating trade worth more than US$1bn.

Community initiatives, including training the region’s first “Solar Mamas” as solar-energy technicians, illustrate how trade infrastructure can deliver economic and social benefits.

Supachai Wattanaveerachai, CEO, DP World Horn of Africa, commented, "The launch of this new corridor is a milestone in our ambition to build faster, safer, and more reliable trade routes. It reflects our commitment to creating meaningful economic benefits for businesses and communities in the region."

"Our work in Berbera is already stimulating trade and industry, while supporting wider community development. Looking ahead, this service will strengthen Berbera’s role as a gateway for East Africa’s future growth and prosperity," he added.

DHL invests US$348mn to expand Africa footprint

DHL ramping up Africa services. (Image source: DHL)

DHL Group has announced a €300mn (approx. US$348mn)-plus investment in sub-Saharan Africa to expand infrastructure, enhance service capabilities and unlock opportunities in areas such as e-commerce, perishables, energy, life sciences and healthcare

“Africa is at a pivotal moment in its trade journey,” said John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express.

According to the latest update of the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, sub-Saharan Africa led all world regions in the first half of 2025 with a 10% year-on-year increase in trade value (in current US dollars), ahead of North America at 7% and South & Central America, Caribbean at 5%.

Current forecasts as of September 2025 indicate the region’s trade volume will grow by an average of 4.3% per year over 2025 to 2029, the second-fastest globally behind South & Central Asia.

“Despite global volatility, the continent continues to show resilience and momentum,” said Pearson.

“Our investment reflects confidence in Africa’s trajectory and DHL’s commitment to enabling the trade flows that drive inclusive growth. By strengthening our network and capabilities, we aim to make it easier for African businesses, from small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to large corporates, to compete on the world stage.”

The company highlighted the impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and its potential to deepen intra-African commerce and open new corridors with the rest of the world.

While progress depends on continued improvements in infrastructure and trade facilitation, it noted that cross-border flows have remained resilient and African enterprises are increasingly connecting to global value chains.

Across DHL Express, the new investment will include upgrading gateways, adding aviation uplift and extending time-definite coverage into second cities that are emerging as demand centres under AfCFTA.

The intention is to link these cities more tightly to Africa–Europe and Africa–Asia lanes, building on recent growth in Ethiopia and Nigeria.

“Our focus is to be closer to customers and make cross-border shipping simpler and more reliable,”said Hennie Heymans, CEO, DHL Express sub-Saharan Africa.

“As trade expands, businesses are asking for predictable transit times, consistent delivery performance and support that understands local conditions. By raising the bar on service and proximity, we will help more African companies trade efficiently and compete on a bigger stage.”

DHL Global Forwarding is expanding its capabilities in energy and industrial projects, supporting Africa’s role in the global energy transition; enhancing cold-chain and perishables logistics for agriculture and horticulture exporters; and scaling its expertise in life sciences and healthcare with specialised temperature-controlled transport.

DHL Supply Chain will add capacity and transport-led solutions with a focus on the transporter sector and life sciences and healthcare, including additional temperature-sensitive capability to support critical healthcare flows and fast-moving fulfilment as supply chains mature, particularly as demand for third party logistics services continues to grow in the core South African market.

“DHL Supply Chain is expanding in South Africa as the economy gains momentum and supply chains become more sophisticated,” said Orkun Saruhanoglu, CEO, DHL Supply Chain Middle East & Africa.

“We are seeing growing demand for specialised, outsourced logistics, particularly in life sciences and healthcare and across the transporter sector. By adding capacity, strengthening transport-led solutions and applying our contract logistics expertise, we will help customers improve service quality, manage risk and scale with confidence.”

The company said that it is also investing in programmes that extend participation in trade and support sustainable growth — for example, its GoTrade initiative provides SMEs with training and customs expertise to access international markets.

In addition, the business is piloting renewable energy and alternative fuel projects across its sub-Saharan African facilities and advancing digitalisation through AI-enabled monitoring, route optimisation, and digital customs tools to reduce friction in cross-border trade.

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First CTG Locomotives arrive for Simandou Project

Locomotives power Guinea’s progress. (Image source: SimFer)

SimFer, the joint venture between the Government of the Republic of Guinea, Rio Tinto, and the Chinalco-led CIOH consortium, has achieved another significant milestone with the safe arrival of the first four CTG locomotives at the Port of Morébaya

These units mark the initial batch of a total of 78 locomotives ordered by Rio Tinto SimFer in July 2024 on behalf of La Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG), the organisation established to own and manage the rail and port infrastructure connected to the Simandou mines.

Purpose-built to support Africa's largest integrated mining and infrastructure project, these locomotives will play a vital role in transporting high-grade iron ore from the Simandou mines to the newly developed Morebaya port facilities in Forécariah. The 670 kmTrans-Guinean Railway will link Guinea from east to west for the first time, unlocking new opportunities for trade, agriculture, and passenger transport. The arrival of these locomotives highlights the crucial role of rail infrastructure in advancing the Simandou project.

Chris Aitchison, CEO of Rio Tinto SimFer, said,“This is a historic moment for the Simandou project and for Guinea. These locomotives are a visible sign of the progress made and the future benefits that the Trans-Guinean Railway will bring by connecting communities, facilitating trade and supporting sustainable development across the country.”

Mamoudou Nagnalen Barry, president of the Compagnie du TransGuinéen, stressed: “The TransGuinéen is gradually becoming a tangible reality, and we are proud to work hand in hand with our industrial partners to ensure the full operationalisation of the CTG. We are committed to making the TransGuinéen corridor an important vector of development for local businesses and a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity for communities in Guinea, in line with the Simandou 2040 vision.”

The Compagnie du TransGuinéen (CTG) will oversee the operation of the railway and port, ensuring long-term sustainability under Guinean leadership. CTG is a joint venture between Rio Tinto SimFer and Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS), each holding a 42.5% share, while the Government of Guinea retains a 15% free stake. Following a 35-year operational period, ownership of the entire infrastructure will be transferred to the Government of Guinea, marking it as a transformative national asset.

With the arrival of the first four locomotives and additional deliveries expected in the coming months, the project continues to advance steadily. This milestone reflects continued progress towards the full realisation of the Simandou project, generating opportunities for the Guinean people and positioning the nation as a global leader in high-grade iron ore production.

JGC to expand sustainable aviation fuel in Africa

Jet refuelling operations on the tarmac (Image source: Adobe Stock)

JGC Corporation has signed an agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to explore cooperation in the roll-out of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Africa

SAF is a term for any jet fuel made from renewable sources – like plant oils, waste materials, and even captured carbon – designed to reduce the environmental impact of air travel.

The two parties signed a Letter of Intent at a recent business event in Yokohama to expand collaboration in an area still in its infancy across Africa.

It establishes a framework for cooperation to jointly promote development, information and knowledge sharing, and to explore co-financing opportunities for SAF and other green aviation solutions in Africa.

JGC Corporation will conduct demand studies for SAF in African markets, perform technical feasibility assessments, evaluate deployment opportunities tailored to local resources and infrastructure, and harness and facilitate Japanese technology adoption to Africa in this regard.

The Japanese engineering giant is already a leading player in what is expected to be a fast-evolving strand in the air transport industry in the coming years.

“By leveraging our experience in plant engineering and sustainable energy, we aim to contribute to Africa’s decarbonisation efforts while fostering local economic growth and innovation,” said Shoji Yamada, JGC Corporation’s president.

The production and adoption of SAF in Africa is consistent with the AfDB’s sustainable transport and mobility and energy transition strategy, said Solomon Quaynor, the bank’s vice-president for private sector, infrastructure and industrialisation.

On its side the AfDB will facilitate coordination and dialogue with public sector aviation stakeholders, identify potential project pipelines, and explore possible financing options, including feasibility study support and promoting global partnerships around the concept in Africa, as well as debt and equity financing.

“Adopting sustainable aviation fuel in Africa is a crucial component of the journey to cutting the continent’s carbon dioxide emissions,” said Quaynor.

“Moreover, it should boost the competitiveness of the sector over time. This partnership with JGC will help unlock new opportunities for green aviation and position Africa as a pacesetter in the sector.”

Since the 1980s, the JGC Group has accumulated a wealth of project experience in Africa, providing engineering services including EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) for numerous refineries, among other facilities.

It has also been a key player in the development of some the continent’s major liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects, successfully completing onshore LNG plants in Nigeria and Egypt, as well as an offshore LNG plant in Mozambique.

In addition, it is currently providing basic design services for the Rovuma LNG project in Mozambique and conducting early work for another undisclosed offshore LNG plant in Africa.

In a statement, the company added, “JGC Group will continue to contribute to the realisation of a decarbonised society through aviation fuel, in line with its long-term management vision, ‘Vision 2040’ and its medium-term management plan, ‘BSP2025’ in cooperation with the AfDB.”

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Huawei unveils SMART Logistics & Warehousing Solution

Mr. Guo Shuangqing, assistant chief marketing officer of SF Technology. (Image source: Huawei)

Huawei unveiled its SMART Logistics & Warehousing Solution, which integrates leading digital and intelligent technologies to enhance service quality, reduce costs, and increase efficiency across logistics and supply chain operations

HUAWEI CONNECT 2025 recently hosted a transportation summit titled "Creating a Digital & Intelligent Foundation for Comprehensive Transportation and Logistics," bringing together global leaders, key customers, and partners from the transportation and logistics sectors. The event served as a platform to discuss emerging trends in intelligent transformation and exchange innovative practices.

Rapid digitalisation, intelligentisation, and decarbonisation are reshaping transportation, supply chains, and logistics worldwide. Advanced technologies are improving the efficiency and security of critical infrastructure, including ports, airports, railways, and road networks. Multimodal transport and cross-industry integration are also driving substantial growth in the sector.

Delivering the opening address, Ma Yue, vice-president of Huawei and CEO of Huawei's Smart Transportation BU, highlighted Huawei’s commitment to technological innovation. “As a leading global provider of ICT infrastructure and smart devices, Huawei remains committed to technological innovation. By fitting the right technologies to increasingly diversified scenarios, the company helps optimise the flow of passengers, freight, businesses, revenue, and information, laying a robust foundation for industry transformation.” He emphasised the importance of open collaboration in addressing the complexities of upgrading transportation systems and noted Huawei’s work with global partners in supporting over 100 ports, more than 200 logistics enterprises, and Intelligent Transportation Systems across 70 cities.

Guo Shuangqing, assistant chief marketing officer of SF Technology, shared that his company has developed an air logistics digital twin platform based at China’s first cargo airport. “This platform allows for TB-level data processing with millisecond-fast response time. It fosters smooth collaboration among millions of elements and has successfully managed a cargo throughput of 1.9 million metric tons without any switching errors. SF Technology and Huawei will maximise respective strengths to expand capabilities in coordinating multiple airports, thus leading to a substantial efficiency increase across the entire air logistics sector.”

Dr Rachad Nassar, Huawei's global business & strategic partners director, added, “Huawei is enabling a smarter, safer, and more efficient future for transportation and logistics. With its comprehensive ICT intelligent foundation and its innovative technologies, such as intelligent sensing, broadband connectivity, cloud-based digital platforms, and AI, Huawei is turning concepts like Mobility as a Service and Logistics as a Service into reality—unlocking the full potential of digital intelligence.”

Qiu Shikui, vice-president of Huawei's smart logistics and warehousing BU, explained, “The logistics industry is currently grappling with key challenges such as high OPEX, low efficiency, complex data coordination, and underutilised AI. To address these common needs, Huawei, alongside its customers and partners, has launched the innovative SMART Logistics & Warehousing Solution. Built on the '1+N' architecture, it combines a smart operations cloud with intelligent coordination across logistics parks and yards to provide end-to-end digital and intelligent services. It focuses on platform-based services, digitalized operations management, intelligent allocation, automated relocation, and unattended transportation, enabling secure data collaboration, AI-based planning, and automated logistics yard operations.”

To date, Huawei has supported a massive infrastructure network worldwide, including over 100 ports, more than 200 logistics and warehousing enterprises, 300 urban rail lines in 70+ cities, over 180,000 km of railways, road networks exceeding 200,000 km, over 300 urban transportation cities, and more than 210 airlines and air traffic management bureaus. Huawei continues to collaborate with customers and partners to advance the logistics and supply chain sector globally.

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