Page 10 - ASR 035 Flip Review Magazine

ANTI-PIRACY PORT NEWS

Cargo Demand Spikes Infrastructure

Anti-piracy Lessons from the Development in Africa

Seychelles

Lamu port is having far ncreasing demand of cargo which is also expected to soar in the coming years in Africa
better maritime access has spiked the infrastructural investment overdrive in African ports as operators look to
and connectivity than Icut these gaps in technical terminal operations to boost efficiency.
n January 2024, the Seychelles Coast resources, well-trained and proactive However, the broader region still relies Mombasa port due to its Cutting throat competition between old and upcoming ports on the Southern and Eastern
Guard demonstrated its capacity to small states can effectively combat heavily on foreign naval forces for deep-berths and geographic African ports signal better alternatives for importers who have struggled with inefficiency.
Icounter piracy when they rescued a piracy and other maritime crimes such security. Countries like Kenya and location, the competition According to a new report by logistics consultancy firm GBS Africa ports 2023, old ports
Sri Lankan fishing trawler, Lorenzo as illegal fishing, smuggling, and Mauritius, despite having larger naval between the ports is considered could face stiff competition from new ports forcing it to invest more on investment and
Putha 4, hijacked by Somali pirates. pollution. The successful intervention capabilities, have not been as proactive minimal as they will be serving digitizing to paperless port management systems.
by the Seychelles Coast Guard in combating maritime crime. This
The pirates, who had used a highlights the importance of dependency on external forces different transport corridors Increasing demand of cargo is expected to increase in coming years with data showing dry
mothership to launch their attack, preparedness, professional conduct, and highlights the need for greater regional -Capt. Ruto, Managing Director bulk-handling capacity is expected to increase with port of Mombasa expected to reach 30
million tons by 2050, and that of Dar es Salaam is estimated at 10 million tons and Durban
, ,
ordered the trawler's captain to head regional cooperation. cooperation and utilization of available Kenya Ports Authority at 5 million tons,
towards Somalia. The captain, foreign security assistance to bolster
recognizing the pirates' lack of Regional coordination is facilitated by local maritime security efforts. In East Africa, Kenyan Mombasa port has since gone digital but the new commercial port in
Lamu if strategically marketed could pose a threat to Mombasa as importers would benefit
navigational skills, sailed towards the systems such as the European Union's from economies of scale.
Seychelles, anticipating intervention Maritime Security Centre Horn of The Seychelles Coast Guard's
from the local Coast Guard. The Africa and the Combined Maritime successful operation serves as a model
Seychellois vessel, SCGS Topaz, Forces partnership, which enable for other small states in the region. By Dar Es Salaam Port
responded promptly and, despite being information sharing and operational prioritizing maritime security, leveraging Tanzania with its Dar es Salaam port reviving and partnering with different terminal
under fire, managed to capture the support. The Regional Center for international support, and enhancing operators, it is angling to give Kenya business competition which has been dominating for
pirates and secure the trawler. Operational Coordination, based in regional cooperation, these states can decades.
Victoria, Seychelles, also plays a significantly contribute to the stability The port management has been capitalising on free holding period at expense of
This incident underscores the crucial significant role in organizing and and security of their maritime domains. inefficiency.
role that small states like Seychelles can supporting regional maritime security With its heavy investment of $345 million from the World Bank, the Port of Dar es Salaam
play in maintaining regional maritime operations. is rising with projections to handle more than 30 million tones of cargo annually in the next
security. Despite their limited ten years.

10 AFRICAN SHIPPING REVIEW April-June 2024 AFRICAN SHIPPING REVIEW April-June 11