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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;
- ISCOS has been in existence for over 30 years during which it has acquired massive experience and developed useful contacts through networking with important industry players. During this period, ISCOS has. also, cultivated the goodwill of the maritime stakeholders in the sector;
- ISCOS member Governments including their citizens, have a long history of cooperation and at one time they jointly owned the defunct Eastern African National Shipping Line. At present, some ISCOS member states are also members of the EAC, SADC, COMESA, etc;
- ISCOS main focus being shipping and maritime transport is mainly international in character and operations. The industry cannot be entirely domesticated within national borders and jurisdiction. There will always be a need for a regional organization like ISCOS to coordinate shipping matters, total cargo transportation logistics at regional level and perform the functions that cannot be effectively handled by national institutions;
- The organization has been very successful in focusing on technical issues affecting the member states and steering away from political squabbles which often paralyze the operations of many regional bodies;
- ISCOS has enjoyed strong political goodwill within the member states. This has guaranteed its survival despite the divergent social economic policies pursued by its members since its inception;
- The organization has had a clear role to play that could not be easily undertaken by any national or regional organization. This role had long been recognized by its member states.
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