Kalmar, a leading provider of cargo-handling solutions, has successfully completed a significant refurbishment project in collaboration with Africa Global Logistics (AGL) at the Port of Abidjan in Ivory Coast. The project focused on the overhaul of two ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, a critical component of the terminal's operations. This initiative is part of Kalmar's Modernisation Services program, aimed at extending the lifespan and enhancing the performance of port equipment.

The scope of the project included the replacement of key components such as the forestay and pivot point bearings, trolley rails, short rails, and trolley and guide wheels. These upgrades are expected to significantly improve the cranes' efficiency and reliability, ensuring smoother operations at one of West Africa's busiest ports. The project, which was booked in Kalmar's Q4 2024 order intake, was completed in Q1 2025, demonstrating the company's ability to deliver complex projects on schedule.

In addition to the physical refurbishment, Kalmar also provided a comprehensive maintenance training program for the port technicians in Abidjan. This initiative is designed to empower the local team with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain the cranes in optimal condition, thereby maximizing their operational lifespan. Peter Bos, Project Manager at Kalmar, highlighted the importance of this training, noting its role in sustaining the long-term performance of the equipment.

This project marks another milestone in the ongoing partnership between Kalmar and AGL, which spans several years and includes similar refurbishment projects in other African countries such as Congo and Benin. AGL, a subsidiary of MSC, is a major player in Africa's port logistics sector, operating 17 container terminals across the continent. The successful completion of the Abidjan project underscores the mutual trust and collaboration between the two companies, setting a positive precedent for future endeavors.

Norwegian aviation authorities faced significant disruptions as unidentified drones were spotted near multiple airports across the country, forcing flight diversions and temporary closures. At Brønnøysund Airport, police received the first report of a drone at 20:17 on September 30, with air traffic control personnel visually observing the unmanned aircraft flying dangerously close to the runway around 21:50. The incident prompted immediate police response and ultimately led to the airport's overnight closure.

The drone activity extended beyond Brønnøysund to affect Bardufoss Airport in northern Norway, where Norwegian Airlines flight DY338 was compelled to abort its journey from Oslo and return to the capital after an unknown drone was detected in the vicinity. The incident occurred at approximately 23:30 local time, marking an expansion of the drone crisis from major international hubs to regional airports serving Norway's remote northern communities.

Police efforts to locate the operators behind these drone incursions proved unsuccessful despite extensive searches. Morten Sorensen from the Nordland Police District confirmed that while authorities observed drones in the air, they were unable to locate any pilots associated with the aircraft. The coordinated nature of these incidents was evident as a Widerøe flight also had to divert to Trondheim after a drone was observed within the prohibited zone of Brønnøysund Airport.

Despite the disruptions, airport operations resumed normally by morning, with Avinor spokesperson Karoline Persen confirming that the last scheduled flight managed to land as planned before the overnight closures. The repeated nature of these incidents—with similar drone sightings reported at the same airport just days earlier—has raised concerns about aviation security in Norway's northern regions, where Bardufoss Airport serves both civilian and military operations in a strategically important location.