SHIPPING STREAMS TO AFRICA

Africa is “increasingly
attracting attention as a
region with significant
potential for maritime
transport and seaborne
trade,” according to the
2013 United Nations
Conference on Trade and
Development (Unctad)
Review of Maritime
Transport.
Although Africa’s
impact on shipping is
still comparatively small,
it is poised to expand as
the continent sets out to
exploit its vast resources.
While the European
Union remains Africa’s
biggest trading partner,
China has now overtaken
the United States as its
largest single trading
partner.
Trade flows between
the United States and
Africa were valued at
about $123 bn in 2011,
while China–Africa flows
stood at about $133 bn.
According to the
African Development
Bank, port throughput in
Africa will rise from 265
million tons in 2009 to
more than two billion tons
in 2040.