Middle East/Africa

Blocked Suez Forces Ships to Look at Long Trip Around Africa

March 25, 2021

A massive container ship blocking the Suez Canal showed no signs of budging for a third day, forcing container carriers and other vessels to weigh costly and time-consuming voyages around Africa that threaten to destabilize the already fragile underpinnings of global trade.

What’s Backed Up at the Suez Canal? Live Animals, Oil and Food

March 25, 2021

Bloomberg

Crews are still struggling to remove Ever Given, a stranded container ship longer than the Eiffel Tower, and a look at the type of cargoes waiting to pass show the shipping delays will affect a range of industries.

Suez Canal Container Ship Refloated After Blocking Trade Artery

March 24, 2021

SupplyChainBrain

One of the largest container ships in the world has been partially refloated after it ran aground in the Suez Canal, causing a huge jam of vessels at either end of the vital international trade artery.

Kwik Launches Delivery Plugin for Shopify

February 4, 2021

SupplyChainBrain

Kwik Delivery, an African last-mile delivery platform, has recently announced the launch of its Kwik Delivery plugin for Shopify. The new plugin will enable Nigeria-based Shopify merchants of all sizes to utilize Kwik’s last-mile delivery service.

Vaccine Disparities Raise Alarm as COVID-19 Variants Multiply

January 19, 2021

Bloomberg

Global gaps in access to COVID-19 vaccines are raising concerns that the continued spread of the coronavirus will breed more dangerous versions of the pathogen, weakening medical weapons and further crippling economies.

Piracy Surge Off West Africa Draws Maersk Call for Action

January 18, 2021

Bloomberg

Pirate attacks have pushed up insurance and other costs for shippers operating off West Africa, with some resorting to hiring escort vessels manned by armed navy personnel.

Beirut Explosion Destroys Tonnes of Lebanon’s Food Stocks

What Happens When Tycoons Abandon Their Giant Cargo Ships

December 18, 2020

Bloomberg

COVID-19 has wrought havoc everywhere, but in the nominally regulated shipping industry it’s fueling a worrying practice: the abandonment of ships, cargo and seafarers with no way to get home.

Boatloads of Cargo Off Los Angeles Grind Gears of World Economy

November 23, 2020

Bloomberg

The perfect storm is swamping the busiest gateway to the U.S. economy heading into the holiday season.

‘Hydrogen Wars’ Pit Europe v. China for $700 Billion Business

November 1, 2020

Bloomberg

Governments, energy giants, automobile companies and lobbying groups say hydrogen use is pivotal for cutting greenhouse gas emissions quickly enough to prevent the worst effects of climate change.

The U.S.-China Conflict Over Chips Is About to Get Uglier

October 23, 2020

Bloomberg

Politics is roiling the semiconductor industry, sparking a drive for more autonomy from the U.S. to China, Europe and Japan.

Middle East/Africa

The latest supply chain news, analysis, trends and best practices for companies operating in the Middle East and Africa. The Middle Eastern region consists of 18 countries that stretch from the western borders of Turkey and Egypt to the eastern edges of Iran and Saudi Arabia. Learn how businesses are optimizing supply chain and logistics performance in these regions, addressing a range of challenges such as poor infrastructure, complex customs and tax laws, unstable political climates and government controlled exchange rates - as well as capitalizing on new land and labor opportunities, particularly across Africa.