Nineteen countries in East, South and North Africa are uniting to establish a joint regional shipping line as part of measures to improve the continent’s maritime trade competitiveness.
The countries include Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Djibouti, Bostwana and Ethiopia, among others.
Gathering under the auspices of Maritime Organization for Eastern, Southern, and Northern Africa (MOESNA), the countries welcomed proposals on viable business models, projected route networks, financing strategies, environmental considerations, and institutional arrangements for a regional shipping lines network.
According to MOESNA Secretary-General, Kassim Mpata, the initiative is intended to seal a long-standing gap in the region’s maritime capacity.
He says Africa continues to suffer from weak intra-regional maritime connectivity despite using sea transport for nearly 90 per cent of its international trade.
A regional shipping line is anticipated to reduce shipping costs, support economic and regional integration as well as empower the continent’s maritime future.
“This joint shipping line will enhance our ability to manage maritime trade competitively and reduce dependency on foreign vessels,” Mpata said.
While there are no clear timelines for the completion of the project, key outcomes from the gathering included consensus on the need for aligned policies, stronger multimodal transport links, digitized port systems, and expanded maritime training opportunities.
