Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has hailed the adoption of the African Maritime Transport Charter as a significant milestone for the continent.
“The adoption of the African Maritime Transport Charter is indeed a significant milestone for our continent. This charter maps a solid and defined place for the maritime sector in Africa and will help propel Africa towards our rightful place in the world economy. As Africans we must take the firm view that we cannot talk maritime transport outside of economic development and growth of the sector. The maritime transport sector in Africa is a giant that is waking up. African maritime transport has the capacity to grow our economies and create millions of jobs. The maritime transport sector can create opportunities for women and also has the capacity to absorb young people and unemployed graduates into productive work,” said the Minister.
The charter was adopted at the Second African Union Conference of Ministers Responsible for Maritime Transport, under the theme “Creation of a safe, secure and clean maritime transport industry,” held in Durban, Republic of South Africa from 15 to 16 October 2009.
Representatives from thirty six (36) Member States, Regional Economic Communities, European Union, African and International Organisations took part in the Conference.
The opening of the Conference was graced by the presence of Honourable Dr Sibusiso Ndebele, Minister of Transport, representing the government of the Republic of South Africa, under the Chairmanship of Honourable Amar Tou, Minister of Transport of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.
The aim of the conference was to consider and adopt the Draft African Maritime Transport Charter and consider the status of the implementation of the Plan of action on maritime transport.
To this end, the ministers participating in the conference considered the Draft African Maritime Transport Charter and the Draft Resolution on Maritime, Security, Safety and Protection of the Marine Environment in Africa.
The Ministers reviewed all the pressing issues of the maritime industry and came to the following main conclusions:
African Maritime Transport Charter
The Ministers considered the Draft African Maritime Transport Charter submitted to them by the experts and adopted it as amended. They urged the African Union Commission to establish the mechanism to monitor the implementation of the charter so as to speed up its entry into force and its inclusion in the national legislations.
The Ministers expressed their satisfaction at the work carried out by the experts of member states and the African Union Commission and commended them.
* Maritime transport plan of action
The Ministers took due note of the status of implementation of the maritime transport plan of action and requested that all necessary measures be taken to speed up its implementation.
Resolution on maritime security and safety, and protection of marine environment in Africa
The Ministers expressed their deep concern about the meteoric increase in acts of piracy and armed robbery perpetrated against ships off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulfs of Aden and of Guinea and condemned them. They were also deeply concerned about the attention to be given to the marine environment being regularly polluted by unscrupulous behaviour.
Furthermore, the Ministers strongly acknowledged the leadership, coordination, monitoring, harmonisation and facilitation roles played by the African Union Commission in the transport sector in Africa.
The Ministers reaffirmed to the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the sub regional organisations working in the maritime sector and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) their role in the implementation of the various activities contained in the plan of action.
The Ministers expressed appreciation for the numerous initiatives taken by the African Union Commission, the Regional Economic Communities, the United Nations (IMO) as well as those of the various partners for the development of maritime transport in Africa.
Finally, the Ministers commended the spirit of responsibility, frankness and friendliness that characterised the proceedings of the conference.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 644 4050
Issued by: Department of Transport
16 October 2009
