PLATFORM FOR STRUCTURED & CROSS-SECTOR ENGAGEMENT & COLLABORATIONS
Provide a Platform for structured engagement and collaboration between Governments and sector players from across the Region, to facilitate unity of purpose in the growth and development of National and Regional Shipping and Maritime Economies.
Facilitate the development of harmonized Policies for the Shipping and Maritime Sector.
Facilitate cross-engagements between regional sub-sector players in Maritime Transport, to strengthen Intra-Regional cooperation in Maritime Transport.
Engage various stakeholders, including shipping companies, ports, port operators, shippers, clearing and forwarding agents, cargo consolidators, maritime administrations, maritime training institutions, ship owners, seaports, and Riparian States.
Foster collective development of Africa and regional sub-sector agendas and initiatives in the Shipping and Maritime sector.
Promote the development of ICT platforms and systems to support Regional Maritime Integration.
Promote Maritime connectivity and Shipping integration of the Eastern, Southern, and Northern African regions through the Indian Ocean and its adjoining water bodies.
Promote borderless Shipping and Maritime integration and continuously review cabotage regimes and other limiting political, social, and economic factors.
Represent the Member States in negotiations with International and Multinational Maritime carriers, terminal and transport operators, and other service providers, on Shipping costs and charges, unfavorable surcharges, and other conditions of Maritime carriage.
Engage overseas trading partners on behalf of individual states and the region, providing guidance on trade policies and practices to enhance the competitiveness of Shipping and Maritime Services.
Monitor adverse changes in the shipping industry that could lead to surcharges and levies for regional shippers.
Engage Shipping lines on emerging dynamics in the transportation of the Member States International Trade.
COORDINATE REGIONAL JOINT INITIATIVES AND INVESTMENTS
Promote, Facilitate, and Coordinate joint initiatives and investments among Member States in the Shipping and Maritime sector, such as the establishment of Regional Shipping Lines and ownership of sea-going vessels, the development of a Regional Maritime University, the establishment of a Regional Maritime Bank, and other necessary undertakings to enhance the region’s competitiveness in the Global Shipping and Maritime space.
Promote Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the Shipping and Maritime Sector.
Promote effective partnerships between governments and the private sector in investment and management of deep-sea shipping, coastal shipping, multimodal transport, and river and lake shipping services.
Run sensitization programs for shippers (importers and exporters) to educate them on best practices in Shipping and International trade, in order to protect the demand side of the logistical chain and promote necessary partnerships between governments and the private sector for enhanced competitiveness in international shipping matters.
Facilitate effective representation of land-linked states in Coastal Shipping Services.
Advise land-linked states on the implications of various shipping, cargo handling, and cargo movement policies enacted by the Coastal States.
Promote mechanisms for the harmonization of Coastal State policies and practices with the interests and preferences of their land-linked markets in a structured and coherent manner.
Facilitate structured bilateral consultations between Coastal and land-linked states on shipping services.
PROMOTE MARITIME TRAINING, RESEARCH & TECHNICAL STUDIES
Promote Maritime Training in the Member States and at a regional level.
Support harmonization of training programs and curricula for sea-going and shore-based personnel, as well as other maritime professionals.
Conduct in-depth studies and profile the status of Maritime Sectors, Policies, Practices, Systems, and Facilities of Member States.
Provide expert advisories and recommend necessary interventions to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
Facilitate collaborations on matters requiring Multilateral and Regional interventions to develop National and Regional shipping and maritime personnel.
Conduct structured sensitization programs with Shippers on Safe and best practices in International Trade.
Closely Monitor, Study, and Interpret developments in the Global Shipping and Maritime industry and provide valuable insights to Member States regarding their impact on economies and recommend appropriate actions.
Undertake research and compile statistical data with a view to advising Governments on the level and structure of freight rates, port operating costs, conditions of Marine carriage, and other factors related to sea transportation.
Research on Implications to the Region of emerging issues in the Regional and Global Shipping Industry.
Research on the adequacy of Coastal Shipping Services.
PROMOTE MARITIME TRADE FOR & BETWEEN MEMBER STATES
Enable the less and the more developed states to collaborate in the transportation of the Region’s International Trade and to develop Protocols between themselves that support each other in filling gaps and utilization of available capacity within the region.
Assist regional states to collaborate in the use of available capacity and resources in the region’s Shipping and Maritime sector.
Study and Profile each Member State’s trade potential and actively Promote Maritime-supported Intra-Regional and International Trade.
Assist the Member States in interpreting the commercial implications of various shipping and Maritime Policies and Practices in International Trade.
Facilitate the development and growth of a viable and efficient deep-sea and coastal shipping sector, inter alia ship owning, registration, operation, chartering, and the promotion of joint ventures and alliances to achieve economies of scale.
PROVIDE SUPPORT TO SHIPPERS & MONITORS TRAFFIC FLOW & EFFICIENCY
Advocate for seamless flow of cargo across the logistical chain and the multi-modal transport network.
Assist Member State Shippers in sorting out issues with regional and multinational service providers.
Promote mechanisms and develop strategies to improve the flow of traffic through coastal ports, to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness.
Constantly seek solutions to the inherent challenges in shipping (Containers and Container deposits, Loss of containers, unscrupulous shippers, freight forwarding challenges), etc.
Engage overseas shipping services providers on behalf of the region on applied export practices.
Provide information on best practices in Shipping and International trade.
Offer real-time support to shippers while carrying out International Trade.
Develop and coordinate regional mechanisms for the safety and security of the Region’s international waters, particularly the Indian Ocean and its connecting water bodies.
Advise contracting parties on the commercial implications of maintaining the safety and security of maritime transport services, such as matters related to integrated coast guard services, port state control, joint search, and rescue operations, maritime security collaboration, and the development of national and regional navies.
Facilitate collaboration of regional states in sharing information on Maritime security.
Collaborate with National Maritime Administrations, International Rescue Missions, and Security Surveillance bodies on the safety of the Shipping business on the high seas.
Enable riparian states to collaborate on shipping and trade matters across shared inland water bodies and the harmonization of trade and economic policies and practices for mutual benefit.
Develop a structured engagement mechanism between stakeholders and service providers across the inland water bodies.
Host and conduct a forum of stakeholders and players of the inland waterways from across the Riparian States for Shipping and Trade.
Provide technical assistance to contracting parties in adopting and accessing relevant Maritime Conventions, particularly those related to the Safety of Life and Property at Sea (SOLAS), Carriage of Goods by Sea (COGSA), oil pollution, marine environment protection (MARPOL), and other conventions relating to Maritime Safety and Security and Ship/port interface e.g. Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) among others.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH COUNTERPART INSTITUTIONS & PROMOTION OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (AFCFTA)
Actively seek and drive partnerships with counterpart institutions and like-minded institutions on the continent, to facilitate the implementation of Africa’s Maritime Agenda, inspired by the Revised African Maritime Transport Charter (AMTC).
Work with the International Maritime Organization and other Global Maritime bodies in the promotion of the Maritime economy on the continent.
Actively promote the spirit of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) by advocating for the use of water transport for trade conveyance between African nations.
