Vision, Mission and Mandate
Vision Statement
Africa’s Centre of Excellence for Shipping and Maritime Matters.
Mission Statement
To Promote and Advocate for Efficient and Competitive Shipping and Maritime Services in Eastern, Southern and Northern Africa.
Our Mandate
1. Promote International Collaboration
- Facilitate cooperation among regional states to address technical and complex maritime issues.
- Leverage international partnerships to enhance maritime safety, security, and environmental protection.
- Develop mechanisms for regular dialogue and information exchange with global maritime organizations.
2. Protect Regional Interests
- Advocate for fair policies and practices in maritime trade to protect regional interests.
- Utilize collective interventions to counter adverse policies by multinational service providers.
- Represent regional concerns in international maritime forums.
3. Address Common Challenges
- Identify and address shared maritime challenges through regional collaborations.
- Build synergies to strengthen the region’s maritime sector.
- Develop strategies to countervail external pressures and influence.
4. Foster Regional Interdependency
- Establish frameworks for the safe and efficient use of shared maritime bodies and facilities.
- Harmonize maritime policies across the region to ensure seamless connectivity.
- Promote joint management and optimization of maritime resources.
5. Pool Resources for Capital-Intensive Projects
- Encourage joint investments in vessel ownership and maritime infrastructure.
- Facilitate funding for regional maritime initiatives and cross-national projects.
- Develop financial mechanisms to support large-scale maritime endeavors.
6. Combat Maritime Threats
- Coordinate regional efforts to address maritime piracy, robbery, and other crimes.
- Develop a unified approach to enhance maritime security.
- Implement joint strategies to mitigate threats and ensure safe trade routes.
7. Conduct Research and Provide Expert Analysis
- Establish an expert institution for maritime research and technical studies.
- Generate industry-based studies and advisories to inform policy and decision-making.
- Stay abreast of changing dynamics in shipping and international trade.
8. Harmonize Commercial Policies
- Align the interests of land-linked and coastal states through policy harmonization.
- Develop joint import and export policies to ensure uniformity in international trade.
- Mitigate financial losses by coordinating efforts with overseas trading partners.
9. Promotion of Common Agendas
- Draw inspiration from the revised African Maritime Transport Charter (AMTC).
- Encourage regional groupings to pursue common goals and promote common agendas.
- Support the development of the regional and African maritime economy.
10. Influence Global Maritime Dimensions
- Advocate for greater regional representation in global maritime policy formulation.
- Develop strategies to influence international logistics and supply chain dimensions.
- Engage in global maritime discussions to represent regional interests effectively.
11. Enhance Maritime Connectivity
- Promote maritime collaboration to achieve better connectivity between African states.
- Review and harmonize cabotage regimes to support regional vessel ownership.
- Support the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement by enhancing maritime links over rail and road options.
Opportunities of Collaboration
Exploring the potential of Intra Regional Maritime Trade amongst States through the Indian Ocean, which is still dismal, with many states still importing what they can obtain from neighbors due to lack of a regional mechanism for structured Maritime collaboration and engagement.