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28.02.2011 Business & Finance

Shippers, logistics Suppliers Plan Ahead

28.02.2011 LISTEN
By Daily Guide

The second annual Africa Ports, Logistics and Supply Chain Conference has ended in Accra with stakeholders pledging to establish a hub that will attract investment to the West African sub-region.

Participants at the conference including port authorities from the region, shippers, carriers, and logistics service providers and other players in the industry emphasized the need to address the inefficiencies in the industry to ensure its growth.

The two-day conference, organized by Magenta Global, a Singapore-based organisation, Magenta with sponsorship from GCNet, operators of the customized electronic system for processing trade and customs documents was on the theme, 'Addressing Constraints & Accelerating Growth through Excellent Supply Chain and Responsive Logistics Strategy.

Players in the industry discussed the dynamics, challenges and opportunities in the global and regional shipping, ports, logistics and supply chain business.

Participants formulated corporate strategies to address the challenges in the industry for long-term growth in the region.

Naa Densua Aryeetey, Tema Branch Manager of the Ghana Shippers Council Port, listed the challenges in the ports and logistics and supply chain as cumbersome customs procedure which causes delays and congestion and attract surcharges as well as port administrative procedures, which impede the smooth running of businesses.

She stated, 'Globally, the expectations of shippers in the supply chain keep changing and increasing as they seek to meet the demands of their own customers' while shipping lines and logistic service providers expect efficiency, safety and security of cargo, quick discharge of cargo, competitive port pricing, quick hinterland connections, and transit arrangements.

She urged shippers to build strong relationships with their customers as well as explore Information Communication Technology (ICT) to help them stay in business.

Mervin Chetty, General Manager of Transnet Limited South Africa, stated that the African continent continues to be a growing economy, noting that a well positioned maritime can boost Africa's economy.

He noted that the African container volume currently stands at 19 million with 32 per cent of global container traffic transshipped to Africa, adding that Africa's share will grow in the years ahead and there is significant potential for growth within the region.'

Magnus Teye Adicco, Secretary General of the Maritime Organization of Central and West Africa, was of the view that efficient trade either regionally or internationally will depend on effective marine time policies.

'Shipping generates severe problems which require policies such as General Protectionist Policies, collusion in setting freight rates, limitations on market access, National Treatment/Service, access to ports and auxiliary services, safety, security and marine environmental pollution, among others.'

By Emelia Ennin Abbey

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