AGL and Czarnikow have joined forces to launch Supply Chain Alliance Africa (SCA Africa), a new partnership aimed at enhancing the resilience, efficiency, and long-term sustainability of supply chains across Africa and international markets.

The initiative builds on more than three decades of collaboration between the two companies, combining Czarnikow’s expertise in commodities trading, supply chain optimisation, and risk management with AGL’s extensive logistics capabilities and presence in 47 African countries.

As global supply chains continue to face challenges from geopolitical uncertainty, shipping disruptions, and market fluctuations, SCA Africa will offer integrated, customised solutions designed to improve transparency, flexibility, and operational resilience.

Through a combination of financial, logistics, and administrative services, the alliance seeks to simplify supply chain management, allowing businesses to concentrate on their core operations while maintaining greater visibility and control over their supply chains.

Kenya Railways has successfully transported 396 tonnes of Government-subsidised fertiliser from Athi River Railway Station to National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots in Ol Kalou and Nyahururu, marking the return of freight services on the Gilgil–Nyahururu branch line after a 46-year suspension.

The consignment, carried on 11 Metre Gauge Railway (MGR) wagons, represents the first cargo movement on the route since its closure and highlights the railway’s renewed role in strengthening regional connectivity and supporting economic development.

The Rail Mavuno fertiliser will benefit farmers in Nyandarua and Laikipia counties, key agricultural regions known for producing potatoes, carrots, cabbage, peas, wheat, and other crops. Improved rail access is expected to enhance the efficient distribution of agricultural inputs across these areas.

The reopening of the line has also generated interest from several industries. Companies such as OCP Kenya, Bamburi Cement PLC, New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (New KCC), and Autoports Freight Terminals, are among the organisations exploring opportunities to use the corridor for fertiliser, cement, dairy, and general freight transportation. Additional cargo potential includes construction materials, livestock, and other agricultural products.

In addition to freight operations, the restored railway will support passenger services, offering communities along the route a safe, affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable transport option. The return of rail services is expected to improve access to markets and essential services, encourage tourism, and strengthen regional integration.

By reducing transport costs, encouraging trade and investment, creating jobs, and improving mobility, the revival of the corridor is set to contribute to long-term economic growth. The development also supports the Government’s Vision 2030 agenda, which seeks to use railway infrastructure as a catalyst for national and regional development.

Fuel volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and frontloading activity are continuing to reshape global shipping markets, with tighter vessel utilisation, changing surcharge structures and congestion affecting cargo flows across major trade lanes, according to Dimerco’s June 2026 Asia Pacific Freight Report.

The report said ongoing tensions in the Gulf region and uncertainty around energy supplies are pushing shippers to move cargo earlier than planned to reduce the risk of higher transport costs and supply chain disruptions. This frontloading trend has tightened vessel capacity and pushed freight rates higher as cargo owners seek to secure space before conditions worsen.

According to Dimerco, rising bunker costs and fuel volatility are also forcing shipping lines to make more frequent adjustments to surcharges. Carriers that previously revised bunker-related charges quarterly are now moving to monthly revisions in response to changing fuel prices and geopolitical risks, adding more uncertainty to freight planning.

Across Asia Pacific, shipping markets remain manageable overall, but operational disruptions and congestion are affecting schedule reliability ahead of the traditional peak season. In India and Thailand, congestion is delaying cargo movement and affecting supply chain planning, while rerouting and changing cargo flows continue to influence operations across major transhipment hubs.

In China, shipping conditions remain tight on several key routes as carriers continue to manage capacity carefully through blank sailings and reduced vessel deployment. In North China, cargo space to Thailand and Indonesia remains under pressure, while transpacific capacity has tightened because of reduced vessel availability. Carriers are prioritising lighter cargo in some cases, meaning large project shipments require longer lead times.

East China is also seeing tighter market conditions as disruptions and congestion continue to affect cargo flows. Southeast Asian routes are facing delays because of congestion and late vessel departures, while routes to the US, Europe and South America remain tight due to heavy blank sailings, especially during peak shipping periods within the month.

In South China and Hong Kong, shipping markets are facing continued pressure on US and Europe lanes due to blank sailings and congestion at destination ports. Europe-bound cargo is experiencing delays of several days because of congestion at base ports, while tighter vessel space continues to influence freight conditions on several trade routes.

Southeast Asia is also seeing uneven shipping conditions. Malaysia and Singapore continue to experience relatively stable market conditions, while Vietnam is expected to face higher shipping rates to the US because of early peak season demand and blank sailings. Container shortages and a higher risk of cargo rollovers may emerge for late bookings. Thailand is facing additional logistics pressure as port congestion continues to slow cargo movement and reduce turnaround efficiency.

In Northeast Asia, Taiwan’s shipping market is showing gradual improvement as summer restocking activity supports cargo volumes, although market sentiment remains cautious. Freight rates are expected to stay stable to slightly firmer as space tightens and carriers attempt selective increases. South Korea is seeing rising pressure on shipping capacity as carriers prioritise China cargo, while longer transit times continue to reduce effective available capacity on Europe routes.

North America’s shipping market remains relatively stable, with balanced capacity and lower congestion risks compared with Asia. However, Europe-bound lanes are seeing slightly firmer conditions due to stronger utilisation, and rail congestion in Chicago is extending import dwell times.

In Europe, softer demand is limiting stronger freight rate recovery, although shipping markets continue to face pressure from rerouting, capacity changes and geopolitical-related surcharges. Dimerco said these factors are keeping market uncertainty high despite relatively stable overall conditions.

The report also warned that ongoing Middle East tensions and disruptions to energy cargo flows could continue affecting global logistics markets. Manufacturers across Asia are beginning to face supply disruptions linked to petrochemical feedstocks used in plastics, electronics and industrial production. If disruptions continue, shippers may face rising production costs, tighter shipping capacity and growing pressure on supply chains.

While ocean shipping remains the main area of pressure, air freight markets are also facing operational strain. Jet fuel shortages are forcing some airlines to reduce cargo payloads or replace larger freighters with smaller aircraft, reducing effective cargo capacity. At the same time, demand for semiconductor, AI, e-commerce and high-tech shipments continues to keep air freight space tight across several Asia Pacific markets, particularly on US and Europe routes.

More than 100 metric tonnes of urgently needed, lifesaving humanitarian supplies are being airlifted by UNICEF to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as part of the emergency response to the worsening Ebola outbreak, with support from the European Union.

The shipment includes personal protective equipment for frontline health workers, medicines, hygiene kits, and other critical medical supplies. The cargo was flown from UNICEF’s global supply and logistics hub in Copenhagen through a specialised humanitarian air service supported by the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), helping strengthen efforts to contain the spread of the virus in affected communities.

The supplies are expected to benefit nearly 100,000 people, including children and families in communities already affected by displacement, conflict, and limited access to essential services.

In collaboration with national authorities and humanitarian partners, UNICEF is scaling up key response efforts, including infection prevention and control, supply chain and logistics support, risk communication and community engagement, water, sanitation and hygiene services, and assistance for children and families impacted by the outbreak.

As of 26 May 2026, the DRC had reported 121 confirmed Ebola cases and 17 deaths among confirmed patients, while national authorities were investigating a further 1,077 suspected cases.

The outbreak’s rapid spread across several provinces and health zones in northeastern DRC has heightened the need for a coordinated response to contain the virus and safeguard vulnerable communities, particularly children and families.

In response, UNICEF has activated its highest emergency response mechanism, the Level 3 Corporate Emergency Activation Procedure, and allocated $5.75 million from its core resources to address urgent needs. The agency has emphasized the need for additional flexible and timely funding to sustain response efforts and ensure the continued delivery of lifesaving assistance.

John Agbor, UNICEF Representative currently in Bunia, DRC, said, “We are in a race against time to contain this outbreak. The situation remains highly concerning and dynamic. These emergency supplies are critical to help protect frontline workers and support affected communities, including children.”

“Risk communication and community engagement are central to controlling Ebola. Previous outbreaks have shown that building community trust and engagement is critical to the response. That means working closely with local communities, community leaders, faith-based groups, women’s associations, youth groups, and frontline health workers to strengthen awareness, early detection, and safe practices,” Gilles Fagninou, UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

DRC has also prompted a major humanitarian logistics effort through Liege Airport. Nearly 100 tonnes of UNICEF relief supplies were loaded at the airport in the presence of European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib recently. The shipment is intended to support emergency response operations in affected communities.

The flight, operated by Network Airline Services and handled by Challenge Handling, is scheduled to arrive in Entebbe, Uganda, before the cargo is transported onward to the DRC.

Liege Airport continues to play a vital role in humanitarian aid distribution, regularly supporting organisations such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme, and the Red Cross by facilitating the rapid movement of critical supplies to crisis-hit regions worldwide.

Scan Global Logistics Avoids Costly Airline Cut-Off Miss in Time-Critical Auto Shipment. A recent automotive logistics operation from Mexico to Poland highlighted the importance of precise planning and execution when every hour counts. The shipment involved transporting 150 tonnes of auto parts to an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) within a narrow 72–96-hour timeframe, making speed and coordination critical.

The logistics provider shared on its social media platform that the operation required seamless alignment of truck availability, customs clearance, airline capacity, cargo security, and final delivery arrangements.

One of the most challenging aspects was ensuring the cargo arrived at airport customs in Mexico City within the airline’s strict acceptance window. Missing the cut-off could have resulted in no-show charges equivalent to the full agreed charter rate.

To mitigate the risk and maintain schedule integrity, Scan Global Logistics’ team in Mexico split the shipment into two dedicated charter flights, each carrying 75 tonnes. This solution provided the necessary capacity, security, and flexibility to meet the customer’s demanding timeline.

The strategy ensured the cargo was delivered on time, helping the customer avoid costly penalties, protect production continuity, and maintain control over a highly time-sensitive shipment where delays could have had significant operational consequences.

Astral Aviation Ltd has launched the transportation of 100 tonnes of vital humanitarian relief supplies from Nairobi, Kenya, to Bunia in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) using its Boeing 737-400 Freighter.

The cargo originated in Europe and was flown from Liège to Nairobi aboard a Boeing 747 freighter operated by interline partner Network Airline Services before being transferred to Astral Aviation for onward delivery to Bunia. The tailored airlift solution was required because Bunia Airport is unable to accommodate widebody freighter aircraft.

The operation highlights the critical role of collaboration in humanitarian logistics. Astral Aviation acknowledged the support of partners including Scan Global Logistics, AVICO Group, Network Airline Services, Celebi Aviation, airport authorities, regulators, and other stakeholders who helped facilitate the mission.

Astral Aviation has extensive experience supporting humanitarian efforts across Africa, including responses to Ebola, COVID-19, and cholera outbreaks. The airline continues to prioritize safety, security, regulatory compliance, and crew welfare in all its operations.

As humanitarian needs persist across the continent, the company emphasized the importance of strong partnerships and African-led logistics solutions in ensuring aid reaches affected communities quickly, safely, and efficiently.

Sanjeev Gadhia, CEO of Astral Aviation, said, “This operation highlights the importance of strong partnerships across the air cargo and logistics value chain. No single organization can address humanitarian challenges alone. The successful movement of these relief supplies from Europe to Eastern DRC reflects the power of collaboration between airlines, freight forwarders, logistics specialists, airport stakeholders, and humanitarian partners working towards a common objective.”

Safety, security, and regulatory compliance remain top priorities throughout the operation. Astral Aviation has coordinated closely with aviation regulators, public health agencies, airport authorities, and ground handling partners in both Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure adherence to all operational, safety, security, and biosecurity standards. The airline has also maintained a strong focus on crew welfare and the safe, secure handling of cargo at every stage of the mission, said Philip Omondi, Head of Safety and Quality at Astral Aviation.

Kenya Railways has announced a revision of its freight tariffs through Tariff Notice No. 4 of 2026. The new tariff structure will take effect on 1 June 2026 and apply to all relevant freight services from that date onward.

Until the revised tariffs are implemented, the fuel surcharge factors currently applied under Tariff Notice No. 3 of 2021 will remain in force, in line with directives issued by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

Kenya Railways has advised clients, logistics partners, freight operators, and other stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the new tariff notice to ensure a smooth transition. The railway operator reaffirmed its commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and efficient freight services while thanking customers and stakeholders for their continued support and cooperation.