Tag: Cargo Services

  • Air Freight to Africa: Tips and Tricks for Safe and Fast Delivery

    Air Freight to Africa: Tips and Tricks for Safe and Fast Delivery

    Have you ever wondered how to send goods to the beautiful continent of Africa without hassling over delays, damages, or lost packages? Fret not, this article is your ticket to mastering the art of air freight to Africa!

    This isn’t just about packing your cargo and sending it off. It’s an adventure, an African safari for your goods, as they traverse skies and time zones to reach their destination.

    So fasten your seatbelt and get ready to embark on this enlightening journey.

    The Lay of the Land: Understanding Africa’s Air Freight Landscape

    Africa, home to the Sahara Desert and the majestic Victoria Falls, is not just a marvel for its natural wonders but also a buzzing hub of commercial activity. In recent years, the continent has seen significant infrastructure and technology growth, attracting global trade attention. Yet, it’s a diverse terrain that asks for more than just packing up your shipment and waving it goodbye.

    Air freight to Africa is akin to a game of chess, requiring strategic planning and keen insight. Africa is a patchwork of 54 countries, each with distinct regulations, customs processes, and infrastructure capabilities. Thus, one size does not fit all when dealing with Africa’s air freight.

    One Step Ahead: Plan and Prepare

    Remember the old saying, “Failing to plan is planning to fail”? Well, it’s the gospel truth in the air freight business. Plan your shipment meticulously, considering factors like the destination country’s regulations, the nature of your goods, and the delivery timeline.

    Check for any trade restrictions on your goods in the destination country. For example, are you sending second-hand clothes to Kenya? Think again! Kenya has a ban on such imports to protect its local textile industry.

    It’s also critical to ensure your goods are adequately packaged. Here’s a cheeky analogy—imagine your package is a potato chip. You wouldn’t want it to arrive crushed and crumbled, would you? Hence, investing time and effort in proper packaging could mean the difference between your cargo arriving in mint condition or mashed potatoes.

    Network Like a Pro: Build Strong Relationships

    Just as you won’t walk into a party without knowing a single soul, don’t send your cargo without establishing solid connections. Building relationships with local freight forwarders, customs agents, and relevant government officials in your destination country can be the difference between a smooth transit or a logistical nightmare.

    Remember, it’s not just about sending a package—it’s about opening up pathways for lasting business relationships. Your network is your net worth in the world of air freight.

    ‘Safety First’ Isn’t Just a Slogan

    Consider safety paramount when shipping goods to Africa. Ensure your freight forwarder follows international safety standards and the destination country’s safety regulations. From properly declaring hazardous goods to securing cargo during transit, every safety protocol is essential for a successful delivery. And remember, cutting corners on safety might save you some bucks now but could cost you a fortune later.

    A Piece of Advice: Stay Flexible and Adaptable

    Just as the African weather can shift from a sun-scorched desert to a thunderous downpour in a blink, the freight landscape can change rapidly too. So, stay flexible and adaptable, ready to adjust your plans as required.

    For example, let’s say you planned to ship goods to Lagos, but due to unforeseen circumstances, the Lagos airport is closed. Having a contingency plan to reroute your shipment to another port, like Abuja, will ensure your goods still reach Nigeria.

    In a Nutshell

    With the right planning, strategic connections, emphasis on safety, and adaptability, shipping goods to Africa via air freight can be as exhilarating as a wild African safari, minus the wild part. So next time you’re sending goods to Africa, remember these tips and tricks, and watch your goods soar across the sky, faster than you can say “Hakuna Matata”.

    Now, what are you waiting for? It’s time to conquer the African skies with your next shipment!

  • Top African Ports for Cargo Delivery: A Comprehensive Analysis

    Top African Ports for Cargo Delivery: A Comprehensive Analysis

    The African continent has several important ports crucial in international trade, economic development, and regional connectivity. This article will discuss the top African ports for cargo delivery to Africa, focusing on their location, capacity, facilities, types of cargo handled, and unique features. We will also examine the importance of infrastructure development, efficiency, connectivity to major shipping routes, and their economic impact on surrounding regions.

    Lagos Port, Nigeria

    Location and Capacity

    Lagos Port, also known as Lagos Port Complex, is located in Apapa, the heart of Nigeria’s economic hub. The port serves Nigeria’s massive population and landlocked countries, making it a significant player in the region’s trade.

    Facilities and Cargo Handling

    Lagos Port is equipped to berth vessels, handle cargo, and stack and store goods. The port has modern facilities and equipment to handle various types of cargo, including containers, bulk, and breakbulk.

    Unique Features and Advantages

    Lagos Port benefits from Nigeria’s strategic location on the West African coast, which offers excellent connectivity to major shipping routes. The port facilitates trade and supports the country’s economic development.

    Port of Abidjan, Ivory Coast

    Location and Capacity

    The Port of Abidjan is the economic hub of the Ivory Coast and one of West Africa’s leading commercial ports. Located in the country’s largest city, the port generates around 80% of Ivory Coast’s customs revenues.

    Facilities and Cargo Handling

    The port handles various types of cargo, including containers, bulk, and breakbulk. It also serves as a gateway to landlocked countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, facilitating regional trade and economic growth.

    Unique Features and Advantages

    Despite infrastructure challenges, the Port of Abidjan benefits from its strategic location on the West African coast and its role as the region’s economic powerhouse.

    cargo to Africa

    The port is well-positioned to capitalise on the growing demand for cargo handling services and contribute to the country’s overall economic development.

    Port of Saldanha Bay, South Africa

    Location and Capacity

    Located on the western coast of South Africa, the Port of Saldanha Bay is the busiest port in the country and the continent. The port is known for its deep harbour, which makes it one of the southern hemisphere’s most significant maritime assets.

    Facilities and Cargo Handling

    Saldanha Bay is equipped to handle various types of cargo, including containers, bulk, and breakbulk. The port also has specialised facilities for exporting iron ore and importing crude oil, making it a crucial player in the global trade of these commodities.

    Unique Features and Advantages

    The port’s deep harbour allows it to accommodate large vessels, offering increased efficiency and capacity for cargo handling. Additionally, its strategic location on the western coast of South Africa connects it to major shipping routes and enhances its role in international trade.

    Port of Durban, South Africa

    Location and Capacity

    The Port of Durban is situated on the eastern coast of South Africa and is one of the country’s busiest ports. Its various port units include Transnet Port Terminals, Durban Container Terminal, Pier 1 Container Terminal, Multi-Purpose Terminal, Durban Car Terminal, and Maydon Wharf Terminal, showcasing its capacity to handle various types of cargo.

    Facilities and Cargo Handling

    Durban’s modern facilities enable the port to efficiently manage containers, bulk, breakbulk, and automotive cargo. The port has a comprehensive range of services catering to domestic and international trade needs, including warehousing, cargo handling, and storage.

    Unique Features and Advantages

    The Port of Durban is well-connected to major shipping routes, making it a vital gateway for South African trade. It’s extensive infrastructure and diverse capabilities provide valuable support to the country’s economic development and positions it as a significant player in the global maritime industry.

    Lomé Port, Togo

    Location and Capacity

    Lomé Port is situated in Togo, West Africa, and has grown cargo volumes recently. The port has become the busiest in the region, handling over 1.5 million TEUs in 2019.

    Facilities and Cargo Handling

    Lomé Port has state-of-the-art facilities that can manage various types of cargo, including containers, bulk, and breakbulk. Its advanced infrastructure and equipment ensure efficient cargo handling and storage, making it a key player in West African trade.

    Unique Features and Advantages

    The port’s rapid growth highlights its strategic location on the West African coast and its ability to compete with other regional ports. Its success also demonstrates the importance of investing in infrastructure and modern equipment to support the expansion of cargo handling capacity.

    Port of Mombasa, Kenya

    Location and Capacity

    The Port of Mombasa is the busiest in East and Central Africa, with a capacity to handle 1.4 million TEUs.

    It ranks among Africa’s top ten fastest-growing container ports and boasts an annual growth rate of approximately 10% in cargo throughput.

    Facilities and Cargo Handling

    Mombasa’s facilities are equipped to manage various cargo types, including containers, bulk, and breakbulk. The port also supports the region’s agricultural exports, connecting East Africa’s producers to global markets.

    Unique Features and Advantages

    The Port of Mombasa benefits from its strategic location on the East African coast, which offers excellent connectivity to major shipping routes. It plays a crucial role in facilitating regional trade and supporting the economic development of East and Central African countries.

    Conclusion

    The top African ports for cargo delivery to Africa are vital to the continent’s a trade and economic growth. These ports, including Lagos, Abidjan, Saldanha Bay, Durban, Lomé, and Mombasa, offer unique advantages and features contributing to their success in the global trade landscape. Investment in infrastructure development, efficiency, connectivity, and modern equipment is essential to ensure that these ports continue to support Africa’s economic ambitions and remain competitive in the international maritime industry when handling cargo to Africa.

  • UK Reaffirming Trade Relations with Africa

    A new trade relation is said to trigger after Brexit

    Africa is not a highly developed region. Most areas in this region are underdeveloped and rely highly on foreign aid. So it can be said that the extreme conditions in African states decide the trade, especially in areas that are largely affected by draught and malnutrition due to absence of enough food. The higher spectrum is represented by South Africa that is the leading trade body in the region, while areas like Burundi have the least trading power.

    Countries that rely heavily on imports and cargo services to run the state are always insecure due to changing deals internationally; so is the case with Africa. The uncertain conditions prevailing after the announcement of Brexit has raised questions and UK is leaving no stone unturned to convey a firm message of no harm to be established on its relationship with African countries.

    Internal Issues:

    African extremity struck regions always faces the misfortune of not having enough food and life facilities to move forward. The internal problems grip the region so tightly that coming out becomes impossible and foreign aid becomes the only means for relief. So the African countries which are underdeveloped, import medicines as well as food items to survive such a tough life.

    These problems hinders the way for this region to develop fully as it is rich in its natural resources but without a proper infrastructure and policy, the people cannot fully take advantage of its own wherewithal. Machinery and equipments are regularly imported with the notion of having access to its resources with the help of these equipments.

    Brexit and the uncertain trade environment answered:

    UK has never denied having a positive and growing trade relation with Cargo to Africa. It has been cleared that Brexit means exit with Europe and not with Africa. This clearly indicates that in no condition UK has the idea of breaking ties with commonwealth countries in Europe. The delegation to Africa has affirmed that it will not end its commitment to the continent. Furthermore delegations to different regions in the continent are being sent by the African states so that a positive message can be conveyed of the firm relations of UK and the region.

    Relations with South Africa:

    The UK government has laid special emphasis on its relations with South Africa which is its largest economic and political partner in the continent. As being the main contributor in the economy of Africa and a developed region in this continent, it attracts trade from around the world. This region is very important for the economy of this continent. The present Prime Minister of UK has said very clearly that her government does not intend to become isolated from the world and follow the foot steps of others.

    Importance given to Africa by UK:

    The importance of trade between Africa and UK can be clearly seen by the visit of UK officials to the continent especially South Africa.

    This was a short visit and was carried out immediately after the announcement of Brexit. The other two countries that were visited on that short trip were Japan and South Korea. These and future tours were meant to confirm strong ties of UK globally.

  • How to Manage Cargo and Courier Delivery

    International shipping of cargo or courier delivery is a complicated process so before plan a delivery you need to know the important information about the cargo or courier delivery.It is significant to know techniques about how to deliver worldwide?

    There are many methods for the transportation of the goods around the globe. Some of them are cheap and some are expensive but in spite of all the shipping methods the selection of the medium of transportation depends upon the customer.In the shipping industry air cargo is a reliable and quick source for the shipping of the goods around the world.

    In the same way the door to door delivery of the shipments has greater value in the logistics industry. International shipping is not a matter of stress for the freight forwarding companies. But it is a game of puzzle for the customers and there are many questions that disturbs the customer during the shipping internationally, especially for those customers who first time sends their products by air cargo.

    An important information is given below for those who are unaware about this process. These questions will help the sender before cargo delivery.

    What is Volume Weight?

    A less dense shipment occupies more volume of space, in comparison to its real weight. Generally dimensional weight is a space of a shipment occupied in the air carrier.

    The cost of the shipment can be affected by the amount of the space that the shipment occupied in the air carrier.

    How to Calculate the Volume weight?

    The volume, weight depends on the dimension of the shipment. The volume, weight formula for the air cargo is calculated by the multiplying of the length, width, height of the package and divided by 6000.

    The volume, weight calculating formula is different for the different method of shipping.

    What is chargeable Weight?

    In the air cargo the chargeable weight is calculated on the basis of the volume, weight or gross weight.

    In other words the chargeable weight is the Volumetric Weight of the shipment.

    What is prohibited cargo?

    All hazardous and illegal products are not allowed in the air cargo. Transportation of the hazardous items is a serious crime in the aviation industry.

    Prohibited cargo includes currency, bearer instrument, lithium batteries, semi-liquids and radio-active material.

    Customs Clearance process

    After the inspection of the customs department the shipment can leave or enter into the country.

    Essential shipping documents are required for the customs clearance of the shipment.

  • Ethiopian Cargo Hits Below the Belt of Brussels Airport

    Brussels Airport continued to hurt from the departure of Ethiopian Cargo services from the airport

    In January only, the Belgian airport recorded a big decline in airfreight demand and all happens due to the withdrawal of Ethiopian cargo services from the airport. Till 2015, this airport was one of the real success stories but suddenly saw a decline of 2.4 percent by year on year in January to almost 37 thousand tons.

    Actual situation of Brussels airport

    It is not only Ethiopian cargo services caused that big dent to the airport but the full freighter demand also suffered and faced more than 11 percent decline on a year earlier to around 10 thousand tons, while integrator volumes were almost flat at 15,699 tons.

     

    Belly cargo on other hand, remained high by 3 percent to around 12 thousand tons.

    What Brussels airport believes?

    The airport said that the full freighter segment of its cargo department was still recovering from the departure of Ethiopian air cargo withdrawal after the carrier did not get the mandatory traffic rights to sustain its operations at the Brussels airport. The airline now nested to dutch hub Maastricht-Aachen airport.

    Brussels airport company chief executive, Arnaud Feist believes that growth is all more striking because the air cargo services in Europe looked unwelcoming in the past year.

    Overall situation in the region

    Overall, the Brussels was one of the fastest growing airports in the region and it recorded the demand increase of around 8 percent in 2014 to just under half million tons. On other hand, the busiest airport in the area, Frankfurt cargo facility recorded a decline of 2.3 percent on year-on-year in 2015.

    Brussels in that particular time remained vigorous with a full year cargo volume growth of 7.8 percent because of the arrival of new cargo carriers and express services at the Belgian airport. It is not only the cargo where Brussels has shown a growth but at the passenger side, it showed an increase of 7 percent and handled more than 23.4 million passengers, an increase of around 15 percent.

    Ethiopian cargo to left Brussels

    A spokesman to European cargo hub said that the Ethiopian cargo left the Brussels skies because they did get the air traffic rights to fly over the Belgian territories. In November this year, Brussels airport will no longer remain the home to Ethiopian airlines. The result is full freighter volume will decrease by 25 percent in the last two months compared to 2014.

  • Boeing 747’s Next Stop is Elephant’s Graveyard

    Cargo market was the playground of the Jumbo Jet for quiet long but it is having its fall now

    Citing the collapse in demand of Jumbo Jets, world’s most renowned aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, has recently stated that it is reducing the number of 747s being produced to only one every two months. The original 747 is best known for its vital role in cargo services, delivering cargo to Africa, major Asian cities, U.S., and other countries around the globe.

    Previously, Boeing announced its plans to slow down the production of the 747 jets to just one jet a month from 1.3 jets but now this number has been cut down further. 747-8 is the newest model of 747 that arrived in 2012. It is featuring plenty of new and advanced manufacturing techniques used in 787 and other aircraft which are lighter, newer and cheaper-to-operate.

    Boeing has received only 121 new orders and of those, only 51 were in configuration to carry passengers, rest of them are air cargo freighters. The 747 has made a massive contribution to global tourism and cargo services. The 747-400 is a remarkable machine that doesn’t need a touchdown for more fuel on a twelve-hour journey, as an example, Europe to all major Asian cities.

    In jet engine manufacturing, significant improvements in power and reliability makes it possible to rival the capacity and range of Jumbo Jet with twin-engine aircraft. That eventually makes the 747 a less attractive buy and more expensive to operate. The 777 passenger carrier is working on the same idea and it can carry more than 450 passengers in some configurations.

    According to Boeing, the 2015 was one of the worst year as there wasn’t a single new order for 747 as the cargo operators are not buying anything at all. The air freight demand fall indicates the economic conditions are pretty bad.

    For Boeing 747, there is only one permanent customer left and that is none other than the White House. The new 747-8s check all the boxes to serve as presidential transport. This is only reason why the US military still likes quad-engine airliners. They can install anything in it to meet the requirements to keep the POTUS.

  • Heathrow Impresses With Increasing Export

    Heathrow exports are on the rise

     

    Heathrow has listed salmon as one of the main exports in their cargo services indicating that flying fish are definitely a popularity that will remain. Salmon fish was one of the list alongside gold, jet engines and surprisingly raincoats. They all topped the cargo export but salmon was by far the largest with about 50 000 tonnes shipped through Heathrow.

    Research also showed that the London airport exports was a whopping 345,575 tonnes of British goods and in price value more than 48 billion pounds worth.

    When it comes to trading partners china is of great value. The export to china increases often and up till July 7.6 billion pounds of export goods were to china which is an increase of over a hundred per cent from the year before.

    While it is currently behind America in export goods, America being at 14 billion pounds, it is highly expected that within a couple of years it will overtake and become the largest leading export base. That is of course, if current trends continue.

    Based on export value four out five countries that hold the highest export trade are from Asia. This shows how important this region is to the export market.

    Aside from the large amount of tones exported there were precious and valuable goods that contributed to the high price value of Heathrow export. The metals were worth 26 billion pounds and other jewelry around 3 billion and then diamonds at 800 million. All this annually is impressive for Heathrow.

    Engines also played a huge part mostly due to Rolls Royce with many aircraft engines and components passing through Heathrow giving Britain a stable and firm position in the global aerospace industry. Britain’s industry worth in this part is 29 billion pounds a year and this places it second in the list. The previous year saw 3.5bn exports of aircraft engines, 1.9bn in aircraft engine parts and a 1.6bn value of other related components.

    Other increasing exports include medical related items such as vaccines and this is mostly due to crises such as Ebola. This crisis saw an increase in human vaccine exports by almost 100 per cent.

    Salmon in weight totaled to an export of 46,343 tonnes, a large amount equal to a significant amount of jumbo jets.

    Fashion is not excluded from the British export market with 3,640 tonnes of clothes currently being exported and steadily increasing. The biggest increase is with raincoats and overcoats.

     

  • Indonesian Cargo Ship Banned By Australia

    It seems that the Indonesian cargo ship Noah Satu broke the rules one too many times leading to it be banned from entering Australia

     

    Not Following Rules

    It’s no surprise considering the cargo ship transgressed the maritime guidelines and broke the rules no less than four times in the last two years since august 2013.

    It’s a basic necessity for any ship no matter where it comes from or where it’s going to follow the guidelines given by the country it is travelling to and from.

    Strict Guidelines

    The cargo ships multitask bringing containers carriers and tankers yet in all their tasks there are standards that must be followed to ensure safety and maintenance of the standard as well as equipment.

    If these guidelines are disregarded then the countries will take necessary disciplinary action which acts as a warning to the global cargo market. Australia in this case has taken disciplinary action and rightfully so.

    No Leniency

    Depending on the size, capacity and operating system of the ships the requirements and safety standards vary. They are formed by maritime professionals and are accepted globally.

    No leniency is expected when it comes to these rules and it is expected that these standards will be kept with utmost care.

    The Indonesian Ship

    This particular ship was an Indonesian ship called Noah satu and is a ship used for general cargo services.

    It has now been banned from Australia altogether and cannot enter any part of the country until around mid-December 2015.

    Problematic Ship

    The Australian maritime safety authority issued this ban after the ship was stopped at a port operating by the Gladstone Ports Corporation known as port Alma.  The reasons given were failure to follow safety regulations and standards and the management of the ship in regards to safety was fairly insufficient.

    Surprisingly alongside this there were also other flaws in the ship included route plans that were not deemed appropriate and equipment that was used well beyond its age posing a serious risk.

    The planning of the route was done incorrectly and machines were found on board that had not been authorized. Enclosed space entry drills had not been undertaken.

    And last but not least authority’s found that there was food on board that was no doubt contaminated. The safety authority of Australia undertakes thorough and high level ship checks yet it is a rare occurrence for ships to be banned from Australian waters. In total this ship marks the fifth ship to have been banned out of the many ships that enter Australia.

  • UK Shippers Welcome Heathrow Upgradation Plan!

    UK government is looking to increase Cargo volume at Heathrow Airport

     

    The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said the warm welcome to Heathrow up gradation plans. It is important to highlight that FTA had requested to double cargo investment at London Heathrow previously as well. The authorities never took it seriously earlier, but it’s never too late to step towards the right direction.

    The plan to double cargo investment at Heathrow will have long lasting impacts on the growth of the UK economy as a whole. The freight industry will flourish and strengthen the foundation for growth and prosperity.

    Export Target 2020

    Heathrow Chief Executive John Holland Kaye explained, Cargo is the back bone of the UK economy and Heathrow is a central “freight connector” for the world. He said, about 26% of total goods are being shipped by London Heathrow.

    The new cargo investment plan will improve support facilities that will help to enhance cargo services. He said, we at London Heathrow are committed towards achieving export target. The UK government has set £1trn export target to be met by 2020.

    Air freight is crucial

    The FTA has highlighted the importance of air freight and defined it as one of the most effective and efficient cargo channels. Its importance increases many folds in regards with pharma goods such as the high-value lifesaving drugs that require the fastest delivery channel.

    No doubt air cargo is the fastest available medium of transporting such goods outside the country. The cargo investment will result in huge profits and portray strong image for London Heathrow.

    Fool Proof Cargo Arrangements 

    According to the details of the plan, the new pharmaceutical facility will be built at Heathrow along with arrangements to take care of temperature sensitive items and goods.

    The expansion and improvements of cargo facilities will reduce the delays and congestion and will enable smooth processes for international cargo. The plan will help to make “London Heathrow” an international cargo hub with state of the art support facilities.