Page 28 - Logistics Update Africa March - April 2024 issue for Website

NEWS

MSC South Africa inaugurates Medlog cold store facility

SC Mediterranean Shipping
MCompany announced the
opening of a state-of-the-art
15,000-metre cold storage facility
in Durban. The cold storage facility,
with a capacity of 8,000 to 10,000
pallets, is a part of MSC’s Medlog
logistics division. Strategically
positioned as a key hub for imports
and exports, this facility marks a
significant advancement in storage
and logistics for South Africa. Import
commodities set for expansion
include chicken from Brazil, the USA,
and Poland, while exports mainly
consist of citrus destined for markets
in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

African airlines’ cargo surge of African investment
Global logistics execs see coming
volumes up 17% in January early 62 percent of global logistics

Nprofessionals say their companies are
planning additional or first-time investments
in Africa, according to the survey which is
part of the 15th annual Agility Emerging
Markets Logistics Index. Agility vice chairman
Tarek Sultan notes this as the highest level
of optimism recorded in the Index's 15-year
history. With Africa's population projected
to double by 2050, representing a quarter of
the global populace, international businesses
perceive the present as pivotal for investment,
brand establishment, and nurturing African
talent to harness forthcoming growth.
The survey polled 830 logistics executives,
providing insights into industry sentiment
and ranking of the world's top 50 emerging
markets. While Africa's rankings in the 2024
Index remained relatively stable, anticipation
grows for significant population growth and
trade expansion catalysed by the African
n January 2024, African airlines capacity, which surged by 26% in Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Iwitnessed a notable uptick of 17% international markets. This growth In the 2024 Index, China and India were
in air cargo volumes, particularly underscores a significant resurgence in 1 and 2 in the 50-country rankings. Notably,
benefiting from the Africa-Asia trade. air cargo activity, especially following Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and Kenya lead
Total demand, measured in cargo the challenges faced in recent times. African rankings across various logistics and
tonne-kilometers (CTKs), increased The global air cargo demand surged business categories. Over 63% of respondents
by 18%, with international operations by 18% year-on-year, marking the indicate ongoing supply chain transformations,
growing by 20%. Capacity, measured highest annual growth in cargo tonne- with a substantial proportion considering
in available cargo tonne-kilometers kilometers (CTK) since summer 2021. diversification away from China, the world's
(ACTKs), rose by 15% year-on- Capacity soared by 19% compared to foremost producer.
year, predominantly driven by belly January 2023.

26 LUA MARCH - APRIL 2024