The Grimaldi Group is enhancing its Mediterranean Express Service (MEX), linking ports in the Mediterranean with West Africa.

Africa's second-largest iron-ore mine, in Tonkolili, Sierra Leone, was snapped up by China's state-owned Shandong Iron and Steel Group in April. In fact, Chinese firms, it seems, are buying into the market while stocks are cheap. Hebei Iron and Steel Group is building a massive steelworks in South Africa; last month it received approval to takeover the Swiss firm Duferco's African steel processing and sales network.

A robust improvement in consumption demand, generous government support, and rise in public sector infrastructure spending are expected to result in steady growth in the Middle East and Africa in 2015, according to a report from Frost & Sullivan.

Saudi Airlines Cargo is launching a new, dedicated freighter service to Paris/Charles de Gaulle international airport.

In 2014, losses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa as a result of cargo theft totaled $80m, according to the Transported Asset Protection Association. TAPA reported an average of three major cargo crimes occurred each day in 2014, targeting high-value, easy-to-steal goods in the supply chain, with an average loss of $221,000 each day.