Last week’s top stories on CARGO INFO

Consumers get legal protection President Kgalema Motlanthe has signed into law the Consumer Protection Bill. Its primary purpose is to protect consumers from exploitation and unfair practices in the marketplace and to empower them to make wise purchasing decisions. Latest on Somali pirates The latest news on the Somali pirates – almost a daily event now – is that they hijacked a Germanowned and Romaniancrewed general cargoship, the Victoria, two days ago (May 5), according to a statement from flag state Antigua and Barbuda. Zimbabwe dry port on the cards Shipping Gazette reports that developer Sunway City has unveiled plans to establish an inland port in Harare, Zimbabwe to serve as a regional cargo hub handling both inbound and outbound cargo through rail, road and air networks. Forwarding not profitable Global freight forwarder Panalpina has seen its net profits decline by 94% yearon- year in the first quarter, on the back of declining volumes. Its net forwarding revenues fell 24.6%. Ten arrested in hostage drama A hostage drama outside the Table Bay harbour on Tuesday morning led to the arrest of 10 crew members who were holding a Taiwanese fishing vessel captain and his officer hostage. The rescue drama started on Monday afternoon when the South African Police Service was alerted to a conflict on board the fishing vessel “Balena” after ten of the 29 crew members took the captain and an officer hostage and commanded the vessel.