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.

Swedish digital asset manager Virtune has launched what it claims is Europe's most cost-efficient Sui exchange-traded product (ETP) on Euronext Paris, marking another step in the company's expansion across European markets. The Virtune Sui ETP, with the ticker VRTU, provides investors with exposure to the Sui cryptocurrency through a regulated, physically backed investment vehicle. This launch comes as Virtune continues to build its position as one of the leading issuers of regulated crypto ETPs in Europe.

The new ETP features an industry-leading 0.95% annual management fee, making it the most cost-efficient Sui ETP available to European investors. Virtune plans to further expand the product's distribution by listing it on local German exchanges, including gettex and Tradegate, to improve accessibility for German investors. The company has established itself as a trusted provider in the digital asset space, serving over 150,000 investors since its launch just over two years ago.

Security and regulatory compliance remain central to Virtune's approach, with Coinbase serving as the crypto custodian for all of the company's ETPs. The underlying crypto assets are held in cold storage, providing institutional-grade security for investors. This infrastructure supports Virtune's commitment to offering European investors secure, transparent, and regulated access to digital asset markets through traditional investment channels.

Christopher Kock, CEO of Virtune, emphasized the company's mission to make innovative digital assets more accessible to investors. "We are excited to launch the most cost-efficient Sui ETP in Europe, reinforcing our mission to make innovative digital assets more accessible to investors," Kock stated. The launch strengthens Virtune's position as it manages more than $475 million in assets across its product offerings, continuing its growth trajectory in the European digital asset management landscape.