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.

Finnair is gradually restoring its Airbus A321 fleet to service after an uncertified cleaning procedure forced the grounding of eight aircraft. The airline confirmed that seat covers were washed with water, a method not properly certified to ensure fire protection standards were maintained. This safety concern prompted the removal of the affected aircraft from service, leading to operational disruptions across Finnair's European network.

The situation began improving over the weekend as Finnair started installing new seat covers on the grounded aircraft. The first A321 returned to service on Sunday, operating a flight from Helsinki to Rhodes. However, seven aircraft remain out of service with no confirmed timeline for their full return. The A321s typically seat approximately 200 passengers and are crucial for Finnair's European route operations.

The grounding has resulted in significant passenger disruptions, with Finnair implementing extensive rebooking procedures. On Sunday alone, approximately 460 passengers were moved to different flights due to aircraft downgrades. The airline has prioritized high-frequency routes such as Helsinki-Stockholm and Helsinki-London, ensuring alternative options are available. In some cases, Finnair has used smaller replacement aircraft and offered incentives for volunteers to switch flights.

To manage the capacity shortfall, Finnair has wet-leased two aircraft with crews from Danish carrier DAT since Wednesday. While flight cancellations have decreased to single digits in recent days, with some days passing without any cancellations, the airline acknowledges that irregularities may continue through the coming week. Finnair is providing accommodation and compensation to affected passengers in accordance with EU air passenger rights regulations as it works to fully resolve the operational challenges.