AMG Logistics’ Post

ITF Blacklists African FOCs Two African countries, Gabon and Eswatini, have been added to the International Transport Workers’ Federation’s (ITF) blacklist in an effort to expose the murky world of Flags of Convenience (FOC). There are worries regarding the mistreatment of mariners and their involvement in the transportation of oil that is sanctioned as these nations join 42 others on the list. An FOC vessel operates under the flag of a country different from its actual ownership. This enables shipowners to potentially avoid taxes, bypass safety regulations, and employ cheap labor, often at the expense of crew welfare. The ITF argues that such practices are facilitated by a lack of oversight and accountability in these FOC countries. https://lnkd.in/dYsB9z8U

🌍🚢 The Ghana Shippers Authority Act 2024 represents a transformative shift in the country's maritime and logistics sector. This legislation introduces key regulatory updates designed to increase transparency, eliminate unauthorized charges, and streamline cargo handling and transit processes. As companies broaden their global reach, these changes are poised to elevate operational efficiency and stimulate growth in the industry.

Good move by the authorities,because one Emmanuel from the GPRTU made it clear on Class fm morning show that there are procedures and policies that govern transport fare adjustments..He himself runs transport , but this is the penchant of the Ghanaian to take advantage of every situation.Once upon a time we were buying fuel at 23 cedis a litre and we paid the fares at that level, it dropped all the way down to 11 cedis a litre and the drivers rejected calls to reduce fares and only did a 15% reduction which brings it to 20 cedis for a litre of fuel and this is the transport fare we are currently paying though fuel is 11 per litre till a recent increase to 14 or so per litre.So if fuel prices go from 11 per litre to just 13 -14 cedis a litre why cry foul?we are not yet past the 20 cedis per litre.They have enjoyed a lot of windfall and that should take care of increased spare parts and lubricant cost.I heard some making reference to insurance cost and i cringed,insurance is for your own good and you benefit from it so why must the passenger fund that.I said here that their decision would bite them in future and here we are.I urge the police to arrest those ''concerened whatever drivers union members'',we live in a country governed by laws.If they care to know Ayalolo can give them a run for the money and there are many offers on the internet, too many idle vehicles available for purchase on BOT terms and all it takes is for some individuals to buy these modern mini buses that are fuel efficient and these trotro vehicles would be history.Once upon a time we had ''one pound, one pound'' peugeot cars that run koftown, Aflao , Etc etc.They started buffing especially when there were passengers waiting,then they decide they wont load, and before they knew it some guys brought the Hiace and Nissan minivans with AC and that ended the peugeot reign.Same with Neoplan station and before they knew it V I P started operating right adjacent them with superior buses.They never thought they could rent that plot of land VIP and STC occupy today at circle.Ten vip buses load and only one bus from Neoplan station loads and even VVIP has also relocated close to them.But all these operators too can loose out to high speed railway service,all we need are new tracks and hi speed airconditioned passenger trains and they are history and one day some investor would just take it up.If i can take 2 hours to Kumasi by rail ,why would i travel 4 hours by road.No condition is permanent.

Have Your Say on the Future of South Africa’s Maritime Industry! ⚓️🚢 The Merchant Shipping Bill [B12 - 2023] is now open for public comment, offering a crucial opportunity to shape the future of our maritime sector. This bill aims to modernize and enhance the regulation of shipping in South Africa by introducing several key provisions: Strengthened powers for the Minister and the South African Maritime Safety Authority. New rules for the registration, permitting, and licensing of ships. Application of labour laws and improved conditions for seafarers. Enhanced safety measures for life at sea. Establishment of inspection and enforcement mechanisms for marine casualties and shipboard crimes. This Bill has the potential to transform our shipping industry, ensuring safer seas and better working conditions for all involved. Public submissions are open until 25 October 2024, and I encourage everyone in the maritime industry and beyond to contribute their thoughts. Let’s help build a safer and more efficient maritime sector for South Africa! 🌊 #MaritimeLaw #Shipping #SouthAfrica #MerchantShippingBill #TransportReform #PublicParticipation

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is calling on the federal government to establish a dedicated Federal Maritime Safety Commission (FMSC) to address the alarming rise in boat accidents and fatalities in Nigeria. With over 300 deaths from boat accidents in 2023 alone, it's clear that urgent measures are needed to ensure the safety of our waterways. HURIWA believes that a specialized commission is essential to enforce maritime safety rules, prevent accidents, and protect lives. #BoatAccidents #MaritimeSafety #Nigeria #HURIWA #FederalGovernment #SafetyFirst

Marko Dadic for bringing this up. This issue has been a pain point for long and we do see joint efforts such as MACN now that seems effective, upto a certain extent and as personally experienced at the African ports. I feel a similar or rather more urgent matter that needs collective effort on the global maritime front is to eliminate 2 very sorry state of affairs thats taking place in rather contrasting geo-politically placed maritime regions of the world :- "Criminalization of Seafarers" mostly in the world's leading maritime nations. and "Mis-treatment of seafarers" mostly in Arabic and African maritime nations. I will not go to the lengths over these for now , may be later , but just to give food for thought to those who have long hung their sailing boots and now are in who's who of shore based community. Just like MACN, that was brought in to fight the corruption, similar effort by the leading shipping companies and other stake holders is much required here to retain the distinguished identity of this industry and its talent pool. These 2 issues over and above the discontent over other existing issues like no salary corrections for decades , reduced manning levels despite multifold increase in work pressure & stress and simple pleasures of sailor such as shore leaves becoming a thing of past , puts that last nail in coffin for many !

Five months of training in Port Sudan (the southern and northern customs areas), added more knowledge to me in customs clearance and #Up-#Stream #operations. #supplychainmanagement #operations

Calabar Port: No Large Container Ship for 25 Years in Nigeria 🚢🕒 Nigeria's Calabar Port has not received a large container ship in over 25 years, highlighting significant infrastructural and navigational challenges. This prolonged gap underscores the need for urgent modernization and improvements to revive the port's operational capabilities. #CalabarPort #Nigeria #MaritimeIndustry #ContainerShipping #PortInfrastructure #ShippingChallenges #MaritimeLogistics #PortModernization #TradeEfficiency #ShippingNews 🔗 Nigeria's Calabar Port Hasn't Received a Large Container Ship in 25 Years https://lnkd.in/eKgemEkd

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is calling for a major change! Operating under an Act established in 1978, the NSC recognizes the need to align with modern maritime developments. The goal? To transform the NSC into a fully empowered regulatory agency capable of driving Nigeria's maritime and blue economy sectors forward. With a new Bill already passed by the House of Representatives and awaiting Senate approval, this move will provide the necessary legal backing for the Council to regulate effectively and promote growth. But that’s not all! The NSC’s efforts in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) have saved the country over N6 billion this year alone! And with more training and capacity building, the future looks even brighter. Let’s support this drive for progress and a stronger maritime industry! Together with key stakeholders like the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), the NSC is working to protect shippers, facilitate trade, and ensure fair competition. Stay tuned for updates as we navigate towards a more efficient maritime sector in Nigeria! #NigeriaMaritime #MaritimeSector #NSC #BlueEconomy #ADR #TradeFacilitation #ShippersCouncil #Nigeria