Africa is in A State of what to do and what not to do

Uncertainty is lingering upon African Countries in the Present Situation

UK is going towards a hard Brexit due to what steps its Prime Minister Theresa May took earlier this year. And by hard Brexit means the country is facing problems with EU agreements.

African State

With them there are areas where concessions are present for UK, but after the exit, EU refuses to carry on with those agreements till now and if this so happens UK will be bombarded with trade tariffs. To make a balance in the economy the prices should be raise but this will put a bad impact on the ongoing trade as it will discourage the countries to do business. So, the situation is not only difficult for both sides but it is also putting an extra pressure on the business. Continue to read more about African Countries must visit, Cargo to Africa first.

Prime Minister Theresa May

What Strategy should be followed?

This question is becoming very important for Africa that due to growing tensions between EU and UK what line should be followed. On one side Africa do not want to face the wrath of EU as the economy of Africa depends on trade and due to the member of common wealth Africa gets many benefits and have acquired many advantages due to this. On the other hand UK is a major trade partner of Africa especially South Africa and there are many projects that are going on in the countries of the continent due to the contribution of UK. Africa is facing a major dilemma due to the situation as it does not want to loose either side.

European Union

Comparison of UK Trade with EU and Africa:

If compared the UK trade with both EU and Africa the results are astonishing. The consideration of compensating the trade deficiency that will result from Brexit by the African trade will be a total loss. As if we see the progress of UK-Africa trade in past few years it is been declining gradually and the figures have fallen from 32.1bn pounds to 21.5bn which is a big difference. On the other hand the UK-EU trade figures show an increase from 339.3bn to 382.2bn which is a promising enough increase. So it will be an unwise notion if one thinks that they can cover the trade with EU countries with just one continent Africa. Before hiring any Air Cargo to Africa from UK service, contact Cargotoafrica.co.uk

Air Cargo

African Trade Comparison:

Considering the African trade is also very important in this respect as it will help in understanding that what is important for Africa at this point. Africa’s trade with 27 EU countries reached 259.3bn euros in 2016 and if we compare the UK trade it is hardly 10%. So who is more important from these records is very obvious i.e. EU. 27 countries versus one country, only a fool will not see what can be expected.

Brexit

But the problem is that UK is very important for small countries in Africa as there development depends on the relation. Also a big contribution of UK trade in the economy of South Africa is not a thing that can be ignored. All these reasons demand a steady consideration of the situation to make agreement of future plan. For any agreement to get finalized, Africa have to wait for the Brexit to really happen which will clear the situation fro any further steps.

Nigerian Authorities should Speed up Cargo dwell time

Advanced technology must be introduced to have a speedy process

Nigeria is ranked to have the slowest clearance process as compared to other countries in the world. This is in no way a positive thing. The process is so complicated that the imported cargo has to pass through many authorities at the port and it is a necessary step to pass through the whole process and get clearance from every authority.

Cargo Shipping

To have an increase in trade a simple one point system is required with modern technology to have the documents checked at one point and let the cargo reach its destination at time. Read more about Cargo Shipping must visit, Cargo to Africa first.

How long is the Duration?

The cargo has to wait 19-25 days to get cleared from the port. The reason for this is the large number of units each government agency have at the port, and the import documents have to pass through each unit for its clarification. The Nigeria Custom Service alone has more than 10 units through which the documents pass, and this is not it, there are more agencies that have the unit count of 4 to 5 and this is a strong reason of the delay.

More Reasons of Delay:

Other than the number of agencies and their units, there are other reasons that account for the delay in the cargo pass out. One is the increase in the number of agencies. Two more agencies namely,

Nigerian Ports

Nationally Agency of Food and Drug Administration Control and Standards Organization of Nigeria have entered the already huge number of agencies making the process more slow and tedious. Also the slow documentation process of each section is very exasperating and by not availing the new system the Nigerian ports are putting themselves in difficult situation.

Why to Decrease the number of Agencies at sea-ports?

For a speedy certification or clearance process the number of agencies must be decreased at the ports. This is not the only reason why this step should be taken, by doing this it will also lower down the level of corruption going on at the site. The more the departments, the more they will ask for bribe to have the document pass from its premises and it will cost the importer more to have the consent for having the imports taken out of the sea port. This is a very tiring and frustrating exercise as the freighter has to do an extra exercise to have his cargo cleared. Although this whole lot of agencies may be there to decrease the illegal transfer of prohibited goods in the country, but it is increasing the problem on the corruption end and the delay discourages the freighters to do business with the country.

What more adds to the Situation?

Not only that the number of days for the clearance of the cargo is very high, the number of free days for storage of cargo is also very less.

Cargo Storage

Only three free days are granted to the importers and then the terminal operators start charging according to the items. These are very odd conditions that the government is putting the traders in the region. The Government of Nigeria should pass a better order for improving the situation on its territory.

Africa’s Waters Polluted with Pirates

Piracy creates an alarming situation in the west side especially

Africa is a continent that has most of its states suffering from draught and food deficiencies. The only region that represents a high economy is South Africa and it covers a major part of this continent’s trade. According to the statistics the piracy has decreased at present but it is still present and if it diminishes from one part the other part starts suffering from it.

African Pirates

The reason may be that a little breech in the security gives the pirates a chance to do their activities in that area. Same has been the case with west side of Africa, the eastern areas has worked to get rid of this problem and they succeeded to a lot extent, but now the problem has started building up on the western side and it is a tough situation those areas are facing. Continue to read more about import your goods must visit, Cargo To Africa first.

What areas are getting mostly affected?

The Somalia region was the one getting mostly affected by this problem and the attacks doubled in 2016, but now there has been a decline in such activities over there. The Gulf of Guinea is the present target of these pirates, and the countries sharing the coastline are getting hit the most. These countries include Nigeria, Benin and Togo; these areas have become the hub of African Pirates and to overcome this situation west can take the example of how east has dealt with this outbreak. But there are many things that hinder in the way of making any step particle.

Somalia Region

The major reasons of this trend:

For a permanent solution the governments of these regions have to see to it that what is troubling their citizens and why they are turning towards this illegal profession.

Decline in Fishes: The first and foremost reason is that the fishing lines are facing a decrease in fish and only small fishes are left for the fishermen for their livelihood. This has created an alarming situation as people depend on fishing for their bread and butter; the decline has affected them very badly.

Cargo Theft

As African countries depends mostly on the ocean for their trade, a very convenient way for having their lives run smoothly these fishermen have turned towards piracy which provides them an easy way out of their situation.

Easy Money: Another reason being considered is that due to the payment of ransom, these pirates are becoming more confident and as they get paid easily they are assured of having money for their families and carry on with their work.

Core Problem: Above all these reasons there are major problems that become an underlying reason of why all this is happening. Corruption, lack of coordination and communication, unemployment and lack of funds for fighting piracy all present a case which is not letting the authorities to take action against this difficult situation.

Easy Money

As it is not clear that who is doing what and who is responsible for the whole problem and if this will be known then another problem stands which is a serious lack of communication. Due to corruption people do not want to further any information until unless it has there personal interest. This situation is very confusing and it is making the trading coasts unsafe and the situation will become grosser if steps are not taken.

African Cargo Companies Are Being Reshaped

Use of Advanced Communication means to cater customer’s needs

Survival of the fittest is true in all walks of life so cargo forwarder of Africa that has moved to IT and modern means do not need to bother about their future. It is an observation by an expert speaking at the recent conference in Johannesburg. So there is need to invest more to remain relevant in this business.

South African Air

Online platforms are now getting more attention and the traditional freight companies are quite aware of the situation so they are willing to move on modern means to keep customers interested in use of their services. With this the african cargo industry would act more smartly and become able to offer cheap services. This would also impact positively at quality of services provided by the same.

Old versus new

There will be a difference between those having knowledge of the procedures and the new comers that are better equipped. But this can be tackled with hiring of experienced staff or they can overcome the shortcoming after a while. Use of information technology certainly fills this gap more quickly than imagined.

African Cargo Companies Reshape

The case with old companies would remain till they adopt new technology for improved functions at all levels. Such a wealth of information about rates and carriers provide them an edge to make most of the situation. These startups have been focusing on different areas to be masters in them and challenge the well established tycoons of the business. This is a good thinking to create space for their ventures and attract customers.

Up starters are concentrating on different aspects

The first group of new freight forwarders is interested in offering competitive prices and to beat others as they want to capture sizeable share without any delay. The other companies are more innovative as they focus on extending facilities that were not present previously as less or easier documentation and quick flow of cargo.

Container Shipping Africa

Good thing about these companies are that they have ideas and capital to invest. But what is missing is no reach at global scale so availability of both earlier described factors does not prove effective. The whole supply chain has not been targeted by them they concentrate on parts so does not pose any threat for old ones.

Focus the whole Market

It is a wide market and addressing the needs of a segment of it is not enough to change the overlook. Airlines also have been renewing partnership and trying to offer what is required by the shippers and forwarders. There are chances of direct relation of shippers and airlines not to minus someone but the later wants to understand the procedures well.

Air Cargo

A workable solution of issues at different levels can be evolved with help and efforts of all stakeholders in the field. It is also good to offer tailor made solutions for different products so that merchants can be satisfied. From United Kingdom to growing market of Africa supply of good is on the rise so people of this very field are rightly conscious about reshaping facilities to match the increasing needs of the continent.

West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea Eats '$400,000' Ransoms Behalf of Pirates

Perhaps $400,000 have Been Spent to Control the Gangs Which Stole Probably Plenty of Ships in the Gulf of Guinea in 2015

West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea is the most dangerous region in the world for seafarers, including the cunning and violent pirates. There are 32 seafarers that were abducted so far current year, comparing with just 15 in 2015. The main reason of kidnapping was to take the money from different people after capturing them and took place mainly in the oil-producing areas off Nigeria coast. The report by the US-based groups Oceans beyond piracy group said that the spike in abducting’s appeared to be attached to political developments in Nigeria. Before continue to read next, check out safest shipping services to Guinea from UK first.

West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea

There had been a big sharp drop in oil theft last year that the statement put down to do better of Nigeria’s waters and decrease the price of oil making it such less profitable that you can’t conceive of its unprofitable. There is one more dangerous incident of the Malta-flagged MT Kalama’s at an oil super tanker that has been badly victim of others in February 2015. The $400,000 ransom were paid to get the tanker’s abducted crew as independent, the state of Maritime Piracy 2015 state said. But, it is not yet confirm, who paid it.

The Somalia-based

The Somalia-based piracy, which has gotten the attention of world people in 2012 has all and whole but vanished, due to the availability of armed escort aboard merchant vessels that has fully destroyed the pirate’s model business. There is something good behalf of South-east Asia, where have been seen the increase co-operation among state that has found in the piracy attacks fall off in the 2015.

Somalia Based

West Africa's Coastal Waters

There is a high degree of international co-ordination and naval patrolling in the region namely Somali basin. The report denoted that West Africa coastal waters is nothing well, including a lack of piracy prosecutions and a rule of law. To thief the cargo is visible and it is too much to kidnap for ransom is rife.

Kidnapping Incidents

The report denoted that the most kidnapping cases the pirate’s board the container after dangerous firing at the bridge to conquer any kind of opposition and intimidate the crew, and keep to isolate some ranking officers and engineers that net the ransom.

Kidnapping Incidents

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