Far reaching resolutions to address challenges in the African maritime sector
7th Conference of the Association of African Maritime Administrators (AAMA)
Unathi Sonti, Executive Chairperson of the Maritime Business Chamber returned from the 7th Conference of the Association of African Maritime Administrators (AAMA) that was held in Tanzania at the end of November with an update on some of the resolutions taken by the maritime authorities across the continent.
Jointly hosted by the Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) in collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the Conference and General Assembly brought together 48 African countries and more than 10 regional organisations under the theme “Navigating the Future of Africa’s Maritime Sector: Collaborating on Technology and Innovation to Enhance Safety, Security, Decarbonisation and Marine Environment for a Sustainable Future”.
Deliberating on the need for a just transition in the ambitions to decarbonise international shipping, delegates considered the potential impacts and opportunities resulting from GHG reduction measures on Africa economies, including that on food security.
The Conference further stressed the need for gender diversity and inclusivity in the maritime sector and called for greater women participation at all levels; robust implementation of maritime single windows to facilitate maritime trade and commerce within Africa; the need for a sustainable financing framework to accelerate the financing and development of maritime projects within Africa amongst others.
The importance of improved engagement to strengthen the role of Maritime Administrations, participants called on States to ratify the Revised Maritime Transport Charter, 2010. In anticipation, the African Union has committed to convene a meeting with all regional structures early 2025.
At the close of the event, the Republic of Liberia was unanimously nominated to host the 8th AAMA Conference in October 2025 while the Republic of Ghana is to host the 9th AAMA Conference and 8th General Assembly in 2026.
Conference Resolutions:
1. Decarbonisation of international shipping: Member states resolved to actively engage in GHG discussions at IMO to ensure all adopted measures are just and equitable. States that have not yet ratified MARPOL Annex VI have been urged to do so in order to stay abreast with the IMO agenda of GHG 2050.
2. Capacity Development and Training for Future Maritime Challenges: Member states resolved to develop a maritime workforce training roadmap to accommodate upcoming technological changes in the maritime sector. In addition, member states welcomed the IMO’s potential contribution and support through the Integrated Technical Cooperation Program.
3. Financing Sustainable Maritime Transport in Africa: - It was resolved that there is a need for the development of a sustainable financing framework for Africa’s maritime sector. Member states welcomed the commitment from financial institutions to finance Africa’s Maritime Projects through concessional lending, among others.
4. Enhancing Maritime Safety and Security in Africa: - Member states resolved to develop a Strategic action plan for enhancing safety and security. AAMA adopted the plan of action for safety of domestic ferries, implementing the IMO Model Regulation (Resolution) MSC 518 (105)). This action plan achieves the objective of the conference of the General Assembly to develop actionable roadmaps that outline the steps necessary to achieve the goal for safety of domestic ferries.
5. Governance, Facilitation of Maritime Development and Trade in Africa: Member states resolved to identify and develop priorities and action plans to strengthen maritime governance and infrastructure development. IMO is called upon to assist African countries to develop National Maritime Transport Policies and further request IMO to approach donors to fund the project if need be.
6. Gender and Diversity in the Maritime Sector: Member states agreed on the Development of a gender and diversity action plan.
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