Africa must aim for regional port network

Collaboration and co-operation is the way forward for African ports that are facing increased competition from each other. That was the message from experts at the second African Ports Evolution conference in Cape Town last week who said European ports had learned this lesson the hard way when attempts to move cargo faster by introducing short-sea shipping disastrously failed. “We realised that by working together as ports we could optimise the logistics concept,” said Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, director international projects with the Port of Amsterdam. That partnership was extended to customers with much better results.” He said in Africa a network of ports stood a far greater chance of success than individual ports trying to make ends meet. “When you look at South Africa’s ports on their own, for instance, it is very clear that each port has a specialised function and focus. This can be extended to the region, but instead of several ports all fighting for the same pie it will be much more beneficial for all to get a slice by working together.” He said as vessels were getting bigger they no longer wanted to call at each and every port – and even more so when several ports were offering the same business. “So ports are going to have to work together much more closely as they will still have cargo flow demand from those vessels, but will not necessarily have callings. If you create a network of ports through inland dry ports and connect them all together in a region you are creating a much more efficient system in the long run,” he said. “It is all about creating a synergy in your region that will ultimately be more cost effective and operationally more efficient.”