Sub-Saharan Africa for growth prospects With its abundance of coal, natural gas and other mineral discoveries, Africa is attracting global attention. This is good news for African ports who aim to accommodate ever larger trade volumes, adding stimulus to infrastructure development to keep pace with high growth rates of 7% to 9% incurred by most Sub-Saharan African countries. High growth rates are triggering a healthy competition amidst African ports and attracting attention from overseas. Ports across the continent are showcasing their modernisation efforts in order to attract as much trade as possible while maximising profits and streamlining operations because African economic growth is directly dependent upon trade volumes and port expansion promises to be the catalyst to unlock Africa’s potential as a leading global trade partner. For example, intra-African trade currently represents only 10% of the continent’s total trade volumes, hindering both regional development and cross-border collaboration. The African Ports Evolution Forum, being held in Cape Town, South Africa later this month, aims to not only identify strategic maritime infrastructure expansion but also look towards new and lucrative opportunities for ports authorities, terminal operators, corridor groups and bulk exporters. The Port of Amsterdam is ranked the 4th leading port in Europe and handles about 93 million metric tons of cargo annually. The Port of Amsterdam is currently focused on expanding its port management operations by exploring opportunities in Southern Africa and aims to create sustainable cooperation in Africa for port development and logistical needs.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 20:29:53 +0000