Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has restarted pandemic-era diamond-level freight rates, raising prices to $8,000 (West Coast) and $10,000 (East Coast), reflecting the current tight capacity in the shipping market and rising demand. Industry insiders are concerned about further increases in freight rates, prompting importers to reassess their supply chain strategies.
Greenville Port is an important maritime hub in Sino County, Liberia, connecting to West African markets. The port features deep water and excellent berth conditions, handling an average of 109,000 cubic meters of forest products annually. With significant potential, it is a crucial choice for international trade.
Porto Alexandre, located in Namibia Province of Angola, is a significant urban port serving West African routes. It boasts a thriving fishing and salt industry and is in proximity to a hunting reserve and national park, exemplifying a model of economic development coupled with ecological conservation.
Five West African nations are jointly developing an electronic transit system to streamline processes, reduce costs, and improve efficiency, thereby promoting regional economic integration and supporting trade facilitation agreements. This initiative aims to modernize customs procedures and enhance the movement of goods within the region, fostering economic growth and attracting investment. By leveraging technology, the system seeks to overcome existing bottlenecks and create a more predictable and transparent trade environment for businesses operating in West Africa.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) - West and Central Africa Capacity Building Working Group (WACAM) project expanded to Central Africa, aiming to enhance customs human resource management in the region. Through regional workshops and on-site support to Gabon Customs, the project has made significant progress in areas such as competency models and job management. This project will continue to support the modernization of human resource management in West and Central African customs administrations, contributing to regional development.
The newly introduced East-West shipping network in February 2025 will enhance global trade efficiency by reducing port calls, improving shuttle services, and utilizing advanced transshipment hubs, providing businesses with a faster and more reliable transportation experience.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) joint “Mentoring Training Programme” (MTP) has made significant progress in West Africa. Overcoming the impact of the pandemic through innovative models such as virtual working groups, the program successfully enhanced the capacity of customs officers in West African countries in risk management and intelligence analysis, contributing to regional trade security and economic development. The success of this program provides a valuable reference for capacity building in other developing countries.
Flexport's latest ocean efficiency report reveals changes in shipping times between China and the U.S. as well as China and Europe. Transit times from China to the East Coast of the U.S. have slightly increased, while times to the West Coast and Northern Europe have remained stable or decreased. By breaking down shipping routes, OTI provides businesses with more precise logistics decision support.
This article focuses on Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM) in Mexico, analyzing its role in air freight. It details the West Coast Cargo's three-letter code search system, providing information on global airport codes, facilities, storage fees, and customs clearance requirements to optimize international air freight operations. Furthermore, it introduces practical tools offered by West Coast Cargo, including air freight tracking, shipping company inquiries, and ocean freight tracking.
The global shipping port query system launched by West Coast Freight offers a comprehensive database that includes vital information such as port codes, cities, and types. This system helps users easily access information about major international ports, thereby enhancing logistics efficiency.
