The Intergovernmental Standing Committee on Shipping (ISCOS) is a Regional Maritime Organization operating in the Eastern, Southern, and Northern African whose mandate is to Promote, Protect and Coordinate the Shipping and Maritime Interests of the Region.
ISCOS was formed by the Republic of Kenya, United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Zambia way back in 1967, after regional States faced challenges in Shipping and Maritime Trade which each of them would not handle due to the International, technical nature, geographical location and complexities of the issues involved.
Over 90% of the Region’s International Trade is Indeed transported by sea. Due to the shared Maritime bodies, facilities, multinational service providers and overseas trading partners and regimes, and therefore the common Maritime Interests, challenges and Aspirations, African States using the Indian Ocean as their maritime passage for International Trade have taken note of increased need for collaboration in this Complex, International, high expenditure and Capital intensive sector and have committed to using ISCOS’ existing framework to work together in order to have their Maritime trade Interests driven in structured, coherent, unified and more effective manner.
In line with this commitment, regional states are now at various levels of formalising their Membership to the Organisation, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) completed her processes and joined ISCOS Membership in September, 2022. The Organisation is also rebranding into a Maritime Organsation for the Eastern, Southern and Nothern Africa in line with this scope and mandate.
Our Leadership
Hon. Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala
ISCOS Chair – Minister of Works and Transport, Republic of Uganda
Mr. Daniel M. Kiange
SECRETARY GENERAL
Trade Statics and Information
Get comprehensive, timely and reliable ISCOS updates on trade all around the region:
- International Trade Statistics.
- Infrastructure Statistics Bulletin.
- Trends and statistics analysis.
- Various stakeholders advisory, advocacy.
Shipping statistics and Information
- Get to see traffic volumes through our ports.
- Get to understand shipping matters and terminologies.
- Be familiar with different container service options to get the service you expect.
- Understand the various terms applied in shipping industry.
THE SHIPPLINC
A Mobile based Trade Facilitation Platform:
- For Reporting, Monitoring and Resolving Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs)
- Providing Information to the Industry on various aspects of Freight Logistics and International Trade.
- Accessed through a Mobile Application as well as several other Communication avenues both electronic and conventional (E-mail, Telephone, SMS)
- Backed up by a back office of Freight Logistics experts who are available to provide Support to Freight Logistics as need may arise, in real time and on a continuous basis.
Downloads
Get free access to downloads on the latest insights, news and general updates The information sourced from a wide range of activities May be used as reference in engagement with ISCOS or for informational purposes
Gallery
Discover and explore the wide scope of activities that ISCOS is involved with through our media gallery. Photos,video clips and any other type of media on the gallery is captured from…
Latest News
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15OctTHE 6TH EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING OF THE COORDINATION COMMITTEE
The 6th Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the Coordination Committee held from 4th to 5th August, 2022 at Mount Meru Hotel, Arusha, Tanzania
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15OctTHE 9TH EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
The 9th Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the Technical Committee on Finance and Administration held from 1st to 3rd August, 2022 at Mount Meru Hotel, Arusha, Tanzania
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20JulISCOS HAD THE PLEASURE MEETING WITH MOWCA AND UASC
The Secretary General, ISCOS had the pleasure of meeting His Excellency Dr. Paul Adalikwu, Secretary General of the Maritime Organization Of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) and Mr. Giscard Lilian OGOULA, Secretary General...
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FAQ
ISCOS is currently constituted by five member states namely; Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo as full members. However, membership is open to other states in the Eastern, Central and Southern African States and any other states as may be determined by the Assembly as full member category. Membership is also open to organizations associated with maritime activities.
ISCOS is an acronym for Intergovernmental Standing Committee on Shipping.
Currently the Secretariat’s headquarters is in Mombasa, Kenya and a branch office was opened in Dar es Saalam, United Republic of Tanzania. However more offices can be opened if need arises.
It promotes and advocates for efficient and competitive Shipping and Maritime services in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa.
ISCOS is mainly funded by its member states namely; Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Occasionally, some of ISCOS activity programs are co-funded by development partners.