AfricaOperations

IMO boss highlights Africa’s limited maritime presence

The African merchant fleet is woefully underrepresented on the global stage, the head of the International Maritime Organization, Kitack Lim, said during a speech yesterday addressing the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) in Abuja.

“Of the 35 shipowning countries in the world, holding approximately 95% of global shipping tonnage, none is from the African continent,” Lim noted.

He provided further statistics on the subject which show that in terms of share of ownership by country grouping, developing countries in Africa own only 1.23% while their counterparts in Asia own 36.24%. Africa also represents just 0.9% of shipping yard and marine-related industries.

The conference was told that trade between Africa and the rest of the world has increased by 200% since the start of the century, but these cargoes are carried predominantly on non-African hulls.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
Back to top button