The news that DP World and the government of Somaliland established the Berbera Economic Zone (BEZ) has drawn attention from around the world. Kuehne and Nagel are also strengthening its West Africa cluster, and in the air freight sector, Chapman Freeborn announced last week that it was expanding in Africa and that its parent was considering opening an AOC there.
The sector will pay attention to the sea-air potential of the businesses, which is regarded to be Africa’s best chance at continental connection. In particular, given that certain Middle East countries intend to compete with their neighbours for “sea-air market share” in Africa, proximity between high-connectivity seaports and super-connector airline hubs offers opportunities for the increase of sea-air traffic into African countries.
Executives in the air freight industry believe that sea-air marketplaces could revolutionise connectivity in Africa.
DP World stated that its goal for Berbera, where it opened a new container terminal in June 2021, was to transform the city into a major trade centre by utilising the city’s advantageous location along one of the busiest sea routes in the world and its proximity to the region’s vast hinterland, which includes Ethiopia. The BEZ is only 15 km from the port along the Berbera-to-Wajaale road (Berbera Corridor), which connects to Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa, which requires a number of seaports to suit its trading needs.
Executives in the air freight industry believe that sea-air marketplaces could revolutionise connectivity in Africa. The T&T research also stated that Shippers gain greatly from the first leg of cargo movement’s extremely low cost of containership transport as well as the last segment of long-distance delivery’s high level of air transport reliability.
It included Given the lack of containership ports on the African continent, several entry points, most notably those via the Middle East (and in particular, the UAE via airports in the Dubai region), has worked to provide shippers with more affordable but still reliable freight connections into the continent. Additionally, the relative appeal of air travel over land-based choices is increased by the absence of effective intra-African land distribution networks and problems with customs clearance.
In South Africa, where rail is failing and forcing the need for air travel, there is hope that a sea-air connection can be introduced via Durban.
In South Africa, where rail is failing and forcing the need for air travel, there is hope that a sea-air connection can be introduced via Durban. Transnet, a struggling railroad operator, plans to cut back on its freight rail network by about 35%. The South Africa Freight Forwarders’ Association reports that “many cases of cable theft were detected… which ensured that no trains could transfer cargo to and from Durban” last previous month.
Additionally, it noted that stage 6 load shedding has a negative effect on the operation of rail lines because no trains can run during load-shedding power outages. These conflicts worsen the situation for rail cargo, [with]… The ratio of national road cargo to rail cargo shifted even more in the road’s favour. In fact, compared to the preceding three months, rail payload fell by a staggering 18.8% from October to December. Engagements with the private sector must pick up speed and be geared towards cooperation if rail is to escape this bottomless canyon.
According to Sharon Vaz-Arab, regional CEO of Chapman Freeborn India, Middle East, and Africa, which has seen cargo sales climb 30% since 2021, this concentration on transportation projects is fantastic for the charter industry.
The first pure-freighter operator in South Africa, Suid Cargo, debuted last week. Avia Solutions Group, of which Chapman Freeborn is a member, is also attempting to get an AOC on the continent through one of its subsidiary firms. The T&T Group thinks that freighter operators have a chance.
