The Intergovernmental Standing Committee on Shipping (ISCOS) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA) in Durban, South Africa on 10th October 2022.
Mr. Daniel Kiange, ISCOS Secretary-General signed the MoC when he attended the 5th Conference and General Assembly of the AAMA. The MoC will among other areas, enhance collaboration to build consensus on issues of common interest in the Maritime sector, ISCOS said through its Twitter account.
ISCOS has in the recent past signed MoCs with various agencies to ease and improve efficiency in the shipping industry. Created in 1967 to take care of their common shipping, maritime, and logistics interests, ISCOS has four members- Kenya Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia.
On 7th December 2021, ISCOS signed an MoC with the East African Business Council (EABC) to reduce high transaction costs related to maritime, shipping, transport, and trade logistics in the EAC bloc.
The MoC also focuses on training, information sharing, and supporting shippers (importers and exporters) and other players in shipping logistics.
“This partnership will enhance collaboration with port authorities on matters affecting productivity and their impact on trade logistics costs,” Mr. Kiange said when the MoC was signed.
On 3rd August 2021, ISCOS signed another MoC with Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) in Bujumbura, Burundi.
“The collaboration will focus on enhancing safety, life and property on the lake, carriage of goods as well as environment-friendly regional trade, control of oil pollution, environmental protection, ships and ports safety, and security as well as research and statistics,” Mr. Tusanga Mukanga Sylvain, Executive Director, LTA said during the signing ceremony.
On 22nd April 2021, ISCOS and the Union of Africa Shippers Council signed MoC to cooperate on all matters relating to shipping, maritime affairs, transport logistics, and international trade. This includes training, information, and support of shippers.
Other areas of cooperation include consultation with carriers/shipping lines for best sea freight rates and other related charges and surcharges, service providers, best procedures, practices, and related costs of international trade operations.
ISCOS and Greenworld Big Data Limited (Big Data) signed MoC on 5th March 2021 and agreed to jointly solicit funds for the establishment of the Regional Maritime Big Data Centre; cooperate on matters relating to services and expand ISCOS membership in the region and sensitization and publicizing maritime digitization
In August 2020, ISCOS and KenTrade signed an MoC to work together in a number of areas that include the promotion of regional awareness on the roles of both parties in the facilitation of trade in the region and sharing information on matters relating to Trade Facilitation and Shipping.
Other areas of cooperation include the promotion of Trade Facilitation Platforms and Systems for the region; Organizing and conducting conferences, workshops, symposia and seminars, and other forums related to the facilitation of Trade and Shipping and the implementation of International Maritime Conventions which are in line with Trade Facilitation.
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