GetCTN Monthly Newsletter - October
Nov 05, 2024 12:25 pm
Maritime Transport: A Pillar of Resilient African Trade
Maritime transport is emerging as a fundamental lever in building resilient African trade, as highlighted in UNCTAD’s recent report. This evolution revolves around several strategic axes that strengthen the continent’s capacity to maintain stable trade exchanges despite global disruptions.
Significant Maritime Growth and Flexibility in Crisis
The notable increase in port activities in Africa, marked by a 20% rise in container vessel calls and a 38% increase in tanker calls between 2018 and 2023, demonstrates a strengthening of the continent’s logistics capabilities. This progression creates a solid foundation for more robust and diversified trade exchanges.
The current Red Sea crisis perfectly illustrates the adaptability of African maritime trade. While some East African countries face logistical challenges, other nations like Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, and Tanzania have managed to transform this disruption into an opportunity by positioning themselves as alternatives on Asia-Europe maritime routes. This flexibility demonstrates the continent’s ability to maintain its trade flows even in turbulent times.
Innovations in Trade Facilitation
Africa is developing innovative solutions to strengthen its trade resilience:
- Implementation of single customs territories
- Development of one-stop border posts
- Strengthening of maritime security policies These initiatives help reduce transit times and costs, making trade more efficient and more resistant to external shocks.
The African maritime sector is moving towards a more sustainable future with the development of green hydrogen. The identification of eleven countries as potential hubs for green hydrogen storage and distribution opens new perspectives for more ecological and resilient maritime trade.
Emerging Maritime Leadership
Liberia’s rise as the world’s leading ship registry, with 17.3% of the global fleet, symbolizes the emergence of African leadership in international maritime transport. This position strengthens the continent’s ability to influence global decisions affecting maritime trade.
The strengthening of port infrastructure, combined with regional cooperation initiatives such as those led by Mauritius, contributes to creating a more resilient commercial ecosystem. African countries are developing integrated strategies combining maritime security, logistics efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Maritime transport stands as an essential catalyst for trade resilience in Africa. By combining infrastructure modernization, crisis adaptation, and transition to more sustainable practices, the African maritime sector is building the foundations for more robust and autonomous continental trade. This positive evolution suggests a promising future for African trade, capable of withstanding global disruptions while seizing emerging opportunities.
In the context of Madagascar's evolving role in Africa's maritime landscape, it's essential for businesses engaging in trade with the country to be aware of the BSC certificate. This document is mandatory for all shipments entering Madagascar, serving as a tool for both regulatory compliance and enhanced logistics tracking.
IMO supports Guinea to advance digitalization in the port of Conakry
An needs assessment mission carried out in Guinea will assist the Member State in the preparatory stages of setting up a maritime single window system in the Port of Conakry.
The Maritime Single Window (MSW) is a one-stop digital platform designed to streamline communication among different stakeholders and agencies involved in clearing the arrival, stay and departure of ships. By consolidating information exchange into a single interface, the system is expected to significantly reduce time and costs associated with port procedures.
Since 1 January 2024, it is mandatory for all IMO Member States, which are contracting parties to the FAL Convention, to establish maritime single window systems in ports to enhance the efficiency of shipping worldwide.
The needs assessment mission took place from 21 to 25 October, conducted by IMO consultants in collaboration with the Port of Conakry, relevant Ministries, public agencies including customs and border agencies, and other involved stakeholders. The last day of the mission allowed discussions between the consultants and all stakeholders to validate the findings.
A comprehensive mission report will lay the groundwork for further actions in the development of the maritime single window in Guinea. This includes findings and analyses carried out to identify weaknesses and gaps with respect to legislation, organization, IT systems, procedures and personnel for the deployment of a maritime single window, according to IMO principles and guidance, including related IT tools which interact with the maritime single window. The report will provide recommendations for an efficient and successful implementation of the MSW in Guinea.
This activity is delivered through IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) with the collaboration of the General Directorate of Merchant Marine of Guinea.
In addition to the development of a Maritime Single Window system in the Port of Conakry, its important to not that all shipments to Guinea require an ECTN certificate. This mandatory document, essential for all cargo bound for Guinea, helps enhance transparency and efficiency in cargo tracking, allowing customs authorities to receive detailed cargo information prior to shipment arrival.
The Port Autonome de Lomé on a Charm Offensive in Niger: Strengthening Ties to Offer Better Services
The Port Autonome de Lomé continues its efforts to improve the quality of its services and enhance its attractiveness. In this dynamic, a delegation from the Port Community of Lomé, under the aegis of the Alliance for the Promotion of the Port of Lomé (A2PL), visited Niger from October 6 to 11, 2024.
Led by Rear Admiral Fogan Kodjo ADEGNON, President of the Port Community, the delegation met with various Nigerien authorities, particularly those in charge of transport, trade, customs, as well as the Niger Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Exchanges also took place with transport unions, importers, exporters, and other economic operators.
The objective of this mission was twofold:
- To present the facilities offered by the Port of Lomé to Niger’s economic operators for the transit of their goods to and from Niger.
- To gather the expectations and concerns of economic operators in order to provide them with suitable solutions, particularly in terms of speed of goods transit operations, costs, and safe corridor crossing.
This initiative is part of a strategy of proximity and continuous improvement, aimed at making transit operations more fluid and attractive for partners in the region. Through this prospecting and promotion mission, the Port of Lomé strengthens its position as a strategic hub for sub-regional trade.
After Niger, the delegation from the Port Community of Lomé will visit Burkina Faso and Mali to carry out similar missions.
Alongside efforts to enhance regional trade dynamics, it's important for all stakeholders to recognize mandatory compliance requirements for cargo documentation. Shipments destined for Togo and Burkina Faso require an ECTN certificate, while those headed to Mali and Niger must be accompanied by a BSC certificate.
SeaLead launches new Jebel Ali-Mediterranean service via Suez
SeaLead has announced the launch of its new direct liner service, the Mediterranean Gulf Express (MGX) to enhance connectivity between the Middle East and the Mediterranean regions by facilitating direct access through the Red Sea.
The MGX service will operate on a weekly basis, providing dedicated shipping routes that connect Jebel Ali, Djibouti, Aliaga, and Damietta. Designed to boost regional trade efficiency, this new service will offer direct, reliable access to Mediterranean ports, significantly improving transit times for SeaLead customers. The inaugural vessel will depart on 24 October 2024.
Key highlights of the MGX service include a feeder vessel network from Türkiye connecting with Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Senegal, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Lebanon, and Romania.
Founded in 2017, SeaLead is a prominent service provider in the global container shipping market, with headquarters in Singapore, and regional offices in China, Turkey, India, UAE, United States, Philippines, Malaysia, and South Korea, and agencies covering key markets.
Suleyman Avci, Global Chief Executive Officer at SeaLead, commented, “Our new MGX service represents a critical enhancement of our capabilities in connecting Middle East, Red Sea and Mediterranean region, providing our customers with faster transit times and expanded market access. This service further strengthens our presence across key trade lanes while offering improved connections through the Red Sea. We remain committed to delivering innovative solutions that support the growing demands of global trade.”
Chandra Chigulury, SeaLead’s General Manager for Middle East and Africa, added, “By introducing the MGX service, we are directly addressing our customers’ need for seamless and reliable access to both Mediterranean and North African markets. This weekly service offers quick and improved transit options, particularly with the new feeder connections that extend our network from Turkey to several key markets. We are focused on ensuring that this service improves trade efficiency and provides greater opportunities for our customers in these regions.”
For shipments to Djibouti and Senegal, compliance with specific shipping documentation is essential. Djibouti requires a mandatory ECTN certificate for all shipments, which facilitates cargo tracking and ensures regulatory standards are met. Similarly, Senegal mandates the BSC certificate for cargo entering its ports.
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