Who we are
In the 1960s, Member States trade experienced increased transport costs arising from surcharges imposed on the trade by the liner shipping operators. More specifically, trade was experiencing negative effects arising from the closure of the Suez Canal and the surcharges applied after its closure in mid 1960s. In realization of these challenges, and given the common interests which the regional states shared, the four Member States of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia formed.......Read More

 

Strength of ISCOS
The strength of ISCOS is and includes the following:

  • Commonality of English and Swahili languages and a common colonial heritage has meant a common management and administrative culture and practices among ISCOS member states. This has enabled ISCOS members to make decisive decision during crucial times;.....Read More

Opportunities of ISCOS
The opportunities of ISCOS includes the following: -

  • ISCOS member states share common shipping interest. The Export sector is dominated by commodities agricultural commodes whose prices on the world market have been declining over the years thus calling for a strong regional strategy to promote them. ISCOS has an opportunity to intervene in matter of freight rates and other pricing mechanisms as part of the regional strategy to promote the exports by cost reduction;.....Read More
 
 

ISCOS Basic Values
In discharging its duties as a regional organization, ISCOS endeavors to apply the following values:-

  • Highest integrity and inpartiality in dealing with stakeholders;
  • Confidentiality of stakeholders information;
  • Team Work.

ISCOS Objectives
The objectives have been adjusted from time to time in order to reposition and repackage the organization to play significant role in regional shipping and trade affairs. The main objectives are as follows:-

  • Serve the regional and international community as a one stop center of excellence for regional maritime matters and total logistics;
  • Ensure that the region is served by adequate and competetive shipping services;
  • Promote public and private sector investments in international and coastal shipping services and inland waterways;
  • Facilitate the contracting parties to ratify and implement international maritime conventions and agreements on, among others, shipping safety, security, maritime pollution and training.