Sunday, November 8, 2009

Africa adopts harmonized maritime transport charter

NAIROBI: Africa is moving towards a harmonized maritime transport charter that will apart from building trade capacity see a united approach to industry threats such as piracy.

This follows the adoption of the African Maritime Transport Charter at the Second African Union Conference of Ministers Responsible for Maritime Transport, under the theme "Creation of a safe, secure and clean maritime transport industry", held in Durban, South Africa.

Director General of the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) Nancy Karigithu said in a statement issued in Nairobi on Sunday that the adoption of the charter would boost the maritime sector in Africa and propel the continent towards world class shipping and maritime trade standards.

"As a continent we must take the firm view that we cannot talk maritime transport outside of economic development and growth of the sector. The maritime transport sector in Africa is a giant that is waking up. African maritime transport has the capacity to grow our economies and create millions of jobs," said Karigithu.

No comments: