Page 26 - LUA November December 2024 Issue for website

NEWS

Strong maritime industry drives resilient

trade in Africa: UNCTAD

he latest Review of Maritime Transport by the
TUnited Nations Trade & Development (UNCTAD)
highlights several bright spots across Africa’s shipping
sector. Between the first half of 2018 and the first
half of 2023, port calls by container ships rose by 20
percent in Africa while tanker calls grew by 38 percent,
both record-breaking increases for the continent, the
report said.
"On vessel registration, Liberia in 2022 became the
world’s largest ship register in terms of deadweight
tonnage, surpassing Panama which had been in the
lead for three decades. The African nation continued
to top the list in 2023, posting a 17.3 percent share of
the global fleet compared to Panama’s 16.1 percent."
Other African top performers include Cameroon at
27th place in terms of deadweight tonnage and vessel
number and Nigeria ranked 33rd after expanding 16.2
percent in registered deadweight.

Turkish conglomerate Metag Cosco, ONE, ZIM

Holding to build Hobyo Port alliance launch services
to Lekki Port in Nigeria

he management of Lekki Port LFTZ
TEnterprise, Lekki Freeport Terminal and
the Lagos Free Zone have launched the Cosco,
Ocean Network Express (ONE) and ZIM
alliance services at Lekki Port. The launch of
the services was signalled by the arrival of
EA Centaurus, says an official release from
Lagos Free Zone. "The E A Centaurus, with
an overall length of 277m and a container
handling capacity of 7,000 TEU, is also the
largest Cosco vessel to call Nigeria."
Christophe Cassang, Chief Executive
Officer, Lekki Freeport Terminal says:
“Through the strategic partnership with
global shipping leaders such as Cosco, ONE
urkish conglomerate Metag Holding importance of the Hobyo Port and ZIM, we are strengthening our position
Thas signed an 80-year agreement project for the people of Galmudug, on the international stage and opening new
with Hobyo Investment Company to saying the construction of the port opportunities for trade and industry in
build the port. The port is likely to has been a long-cherished dream Nigeria and the region.”
cost around $70 million to build, and and reiterated his administration’s
should be ready in three years commitment to developing essential
Ahmed Abdi Kariye, President of economic infrastructure. “This port
Galmudug State, Somalia, witnessed will not only boost our regional
the Hobyo Port construction economy but also enhance trade and
agreement in Mogadishu. President connectivity, benefiting the entire
Kariye emphasised the historical nation,” he added.

24 LUA NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2024