Recently, Ministry of Transport revealed that Ethiopian cargo vessel-‘Semera’-arrived in Dakar, Senegal,sailing all the way to West Africa from China through Swizzes Canal. It made a 40-day of trip. The shipment was a project cargo that the Senegalese government imported from China.
Africa’s aspiration stated in the Agenda 2063 highlighted that the Continent’s blue economy/ocean economy which is three times the size of the landmass would contribute to the improvement of the lives of Africa’s people. In this regard, Ethiopia’s marine services could be said to have pioneered the task.
The flag carrier has become a pride to Africans by connecting the continent with the rest of the world expediting the growth and development of the countries, Senegal being the first to benefit from the service. Ethiopian Shipping and Logistic Service Enterprise (ESLSE)CEO Roba Megersa told this reporter as Ethiopia can contribute to Africa’s aspiration by connecting African’s ports with another ports outside of the continent.
He also mentioned that this kind of cooperation could grow intra-Africa trade as well. For instance, Ethiopia earned 2,000 USD per day from Semeraship. The examples Ethiopia set in the sea transport, connecting West Africa with Far East Asia, may inspire other African countries to follow suit, ESLSE Communication Director Asheber Nota said. There is plan to expand the services.
The communication director hinted that only two ships were in their holdings some years back. Now Ethiopia owns 11 vessels. “ESL owns and manages 11 Vessels, 9 of which are dry cargo ships with a total carrying capacity of 400,000 tonnes at a time (i.e. an average of 300 containers by each vessel), and the other two are oil tankers, each capable of transporting 42,000 Metric tons of oil. 9 (nine) of these vessels are brand new, that were built recently,” as information obtained from ESLSE webpage shows. Intra-Africa trade has remained low compared to potentials.
It is also low when one sees the trading among countries of other continents. On one hand, the bulging youth population, with over 600 million working population as indicated by African Development Bank, needs to be met with ample jobs. Promoting trading among African countries and utilizing the blue economy by developing shipping industry and services could be a way out.
To this end, Ethiopia’s effort ought to continue with more fervent. This first rout to West African country makes Ethiopia to further cement its contribution in connecting Africa with the rest of the world. Ethiopian, the pan-Africa Airliner, has been connecting the people of Africa. It as well connects Africa with the rest of the world.
And ESLSE would make a profound contribution to Africa by rendering efficient marine transport. The previous week brought both good and bad news to Ethiopia, the good news being the first sea route to west Africa Ethiopia’s flag carrier vessel started while the tragic accident on Ethiopia’s flag carrier Boeing 737Max 8.
Herald March 15/2019
BY BETHLEHEM ASFAW
