Director Technical, Cooperation Division of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr Jianxin Zhu, says transport by shipping services accounts for more than 90 per cent of world trade.
Zhu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Uyo that the importance of maritime transport in the global economy could not be over-emphasised.
He spoke at the on-going workshop for Heads of Maritime Administrations in the West and Central African Region, organised by the IMO and Abuja MoU Office.
Director Technical, Cooperation Division of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Mr Jianxin Zhu, says transport by shipping services accounts for more than 90 per cent of world trade.
Zhu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Uyo that the importance of maritime transport in the global economy could not be over-emphasised.
He spoke at the on-going workshop for Heads of Maritime Administrations in the West and Central African Region, organised by the IMO and Abuja MoU Office.
“Maritime transport through shipping services carries more than 90 per cent of cargoes, making it the most efficient and cost effective way of moving goods, raw materials and services across the globe.
“Majority of the cargoes cannot be carried by air and land,’’ he said.
He said the IMO ensured that global trade was conducted in a safe, secure and efficient manner on clean oceans.
Zhu noted that the mandate of the IMO was carried through the adoption and implementation of international maritime rules and standards which were enforced by member governments of the organisation.
He said the IMO also developed the Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) as an important tool by which developing countries could be assisted to build up human and institutional capacities in the sector.
He said that the IMO accordingly established a linkage between the ITCP and the Millennium Development Goals which had direct impact on developing countries; taking into account the needs of the least developed countries.
“The linkage between the ITCP and the MDGs are meant to eliminate diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and the development of global partnership for development,’’ he said.
He said a new focus area on the facilitation of maritime transport as strategy for the elimination of poverty was being developed by the organisation.
“The 62nd session of the Technical Cooperation Committee of IMO, held a week ago decided to launch a demonstration project to show the potential role of maritime administration in the elimination of poverty,’’ he said.
The Abuja MoU was derived in October, 1999 when 19 countries in the sub-region signed the MoU on the Port State Control for the West and Central Africa Region in Abuja. (NAN)
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