Confab on ports productivity opens in Tema
A conference to map out strategies aimed at improving efficiency and productivity of ports in Africa has opened in Tema with a call on member ports to consider automation of major processes as key to dealing with maritime insecurity.
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The three-day programme which seeks to exchange ideas and share experiences on new challenges in the port and logistics supply chain is being organised by the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA) in collaboration with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) on the theme, “New Challenges in the Port Sector”.
Representatives from the Grand Canary Africa Region of the ICHCA with expertise in the area of maritime, logistics chain, and occupational health and safety organisations among others are attending the programme.
Speaking at the opening session, the Minister of Transport, Ms Dzifa Attivor, in a speech read on her behalf, expressed worry that the cost of doing business at African ports was becoming increasingly expensive.
“Apart from the increasing freight costs, shipping lines operating in Africa impose extra charges in the area of high demurrage, release fees, container administration fees, congestion charges among other exorbitant fees that have defeated the purpose of containerisation,” Ms Attivor said.
She also expressed worry that limitations of port space across the West and Central African regions, exchange rate fluctuations, increases in fuel prices and the rate of inflation were equally devastating business operations across the board.
Technology Use
The minister was of the view that whereas advanced ports across the globe had shifted to the use of modern technology such as the deployment of robots in the operation of container equipment, electronic processing of documentation at African ports were still plagued with rampant failing systems.
“Increased use of high technology in port business requires that ports adapt to modern ways of transacting business usually at great cost,” she stressed.
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She said with global terrorism threats on the rise, port operators had the high responsibility to ensure maximum safety and security of vessels, cargo and vehicles in ports.
“In Africa in particular, the rise in the incidence of piracy and armed robbery attacks continue to heighten the feeling of insecurity in the maritime environment. It is refreshing, however, to observe that the trend has reduced in recent times. There is, therefore, the need to work together to sustain this fresh breath in maritime security,” Ms Attivor reiterated
Road Network
Ms Attivor also underscored the need for member ports to develop easy hinterland accessibility, which she said was one of the most important factors that could impact port efficiency and competitiveness.
The minister said in spite of the above-mentioned emerging and existing challenges, there were still opportunities available to African ports to advance.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Port at the GPHA, Mr Jacob Kobla Adorkor, highlighted Ghana’s ports as the centre of government revenue mobilisation.
He said the impact of transport cost on prices of goods and services was so critical that ports, terminals, ship owners and players were under pressure to continuously improve service delivery as a way to minimise the cost of doing business.
“Our goal is to find ways to address challenges in the logistics supply and make our services more competitive.
“We cherish every opportunity to learn something new that would enable us to provide services under a safer and more secure business environment as we desire to improve quality of services to customers and sustained growth in our industry,” he added.
He expressed the hope that participants would come up with solutions that would impact positively on businesses across member ports.
Writer’s email: delarussel@gmail.com