Presenting the opportunities of the Intra-African market and identifying negotiation strategies with a view to reducing maritime freight rates.

This is the objective of the international seminar officially launched today, 4 June 2024 in Douala, by Mr. Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboua, Governor of the Littoral Region.

Having as theme “The Challenge of International Maritime Freight for African Shippers”, this seminar, organised by the Union of African Shippers' Councils, will contribute to increasing the professionalism of sector players and enhancing the competitiveness of African ports.

Some 14 countries from West and Central Africa are attending this international seminar which also provides an opportunity to identify, examine and quantify the causes of recurrent hikes in maritime freight rates. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Auguste Mbappe Penda, General Manager of the Cameroon National Shippers' Council (CNSC) and UASC's statutory treasurer, hailed the initiative as a major step forward in the fight against the high cost of living plaguing many African countries today

The seminar which will run until 6 June 2024 is taking place at the multipurpose hall of the Douala Maritime Museum. Mr. Abba Kafougou, Secretary General of the UASC, underlined that the conclusions and recommendations that emerge from this seminar will be implemented in the interests of the economies of UASC member states.