APM Terminals has spoken out over Africa’s need to reform regulations relating to the continent's internal cargo transport.
According to Seatrade Global, Africa also needs infrastructure investment in order to serve the growing population with inland transits from Asia.
APM Terminals’ Commercial Director for Inland Services West Africa, Moussa Diop, has called for improvements in ports, rail, road and inland logistics.
Moussa Diop said: “The key to success in Africa is integrating port capacity with inland access. It is critical to establish inland capabilities and operations that serve adjacent and hinterland markets, including dry ports and cargo depots.
“Effective intermodal transportation and inland services involves logistics, trucking, stevedoring, warehousing, storage, cargo handling, storage, container depots and refrigerated container operations.”
Africa's population is expected to increase from 1.1 to 1.6 billion by 2030, with African seaborne trade totalling 1.1 billion tonnes in 2013.
Total container throughput in Africa has been estimated at around 33 million TEU for 2014.
APMT Calls for African Port Development. (Source: World Maritime News)