Seychelles assumed the presidency of the Indian Ocean Islands Ports Association (APIOI) last week after being elected at the annual general meeting held at the Seychelles Ports Authority.
Founded in May 2007 in Tamatave, Madagascar, the APIOI aims to create a dynamic of cooperation between the ports of the region, in order to better defend their common interests and study together the challenges and opportunities they face.
The member countries are Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte and Reunion and the ports represented were the Port of Victoria, Port Louis Harbour, Port of Ehoala, Port of Toamasina, Port of Boigoma, Port of Moroni, Port of Mutsamudu, Port of Longoni and the Grand Port Maritime de la Réunion.
APIOI’s projects focus on activities related to fishing, recreation, sustainable development, training and safety, as well as the cruise industry. Mr. Gilbert Frichot said that the APIOI has recorded several successes since its establishment; namely the collection of funds to undertake studies, training and the implementation of strategies in various maritime activities, the promotion of sustainable development and maritime security, including the International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities ‒ ISPS ( International Ship and Port Facility Security Code)The association has also placed emphasis on the environment following its ‘Green Ports’ initiative funded by the African Development Bank. He added that the APIOI is expanding its functions and now engages beyond the Indian Ocean islands and partners with the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) States, the ‘Port Management Association of East and Southern Africa (PMAESA)’ and to the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) with the aim of improving connectivity between the countries of the south-west of the Indian Ocean “This is a subject dear to all members, as it deals with maritime connectivity; information sharing and the establishment of National and Regional Single Window systems. The latter is of more interest to Seychelles, as it plans to launch the long-awaited Port Victoria renovation and extension project,” Ms. Frichot said. engages beyond the Indian Ocean islands and partners with the South West Indian Ocean States (SWIO), the Port Management Association of East and Southern Africa (PMAESA) and the the Indian Ocean (IOC) with the objective of improving connectivity between the countries of the South West Indian Ocean “This is a subject dear to all members, as it deals with maritime connectivity; information sharing and the establishment of National and Regional Single Window systems. The latter is of more interest to Seychelles, as it plans to launch the long-awaited Port Victoria renovation and extension project,” Ms. Frichot said. engages beyond the Indian Ocean islands and partners with the South West Indian Ocean States (SWIO), the Port Management Association of East and Southern Africa (PMAESA) and the the Indian Ocean (IOC) with the objective of improving connectivity between the countries of the South West Indian Ocean “This is a subject dear to all members, as it deals with maritime connectivity; information sharing and the establishment of National and Regional Single Window systems. The latter is of more interest to Seychelles, as it plans to launch the long-awaited Port Victoria renovation and extension project,” Ms. Frichot said. to the ‘Port Management Association of East and Southern Africa (PMAESA)’ and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) with the objective of improving connectivity between the countries of the South West Indian Ocean “C’ is a subject dear to all members, as it deals with maritime connectivity; information sharing and the establishment of National and Regional Single Window systems. The latter is of more interest to Seychelles, as it plans to launch the long-awaited Port Victoria renovation and extension project,” Ms. Frichot said. to the ‘Port Management Association of East and Southern Africa (PMAESA)’ and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) with the objective of improving connectivity between the countries of the South West Indian Ocean “C’ is a subject dear to all members, as it deals with maritime connectivity; information sharing and the establishment of National and Regional Single Window systems. The latter is of more interest to Seychelles, as it plans to launch the long-awaited Port Victoria renovation and extension project,” Ms. Frichot said. information and the establishment of National and Regional Single Window systems. The latter is of more interest to Seychelles, as it plans to launch the long-awaited Port Victoria renovation and extension project,” Ms. Frichot said. information and the establishment of National and Regional Single Window systems. The latter is of more interest to Seychelles, as it plans to launch the long-awaited Port Victoria renovation and extension project,” Ms. Frichot said.
For the next two years, the work of the APIOI will be led by the Managing Director of the Seychelles Ports Authority, Mr. Sony Payet, following the elections held last Friday.
Mr. Payet, who took office three months ago, congratulated the former committee for their dedication and success, and for advancing the maritime cause of the Indian Ocean islands and called on the members of work to keep it going.
“More and more, new challenges are emerging in our region, including maritime insecurity, such as smuggling and drug trafficking, human trafficking, arms trafficking, illegal fishing, to name a few. some. Together, we must strengthen our resolve to detect, contain and eliminate these maritime evils that can give our region a bad name,” said Mr. Payet.
He nevertheless said that the region has recorded successes with the support of some regional and international agencies, such as the Seychelles Coast Guard, other coast guards in the region, naval forces of other countries, the EU NavFor, the French National Maritime, which help to “bring a better sense of maritime security to our region”.
He called on members to maintain a dialogue with all their partners to keep the region a zone of peace, and to address the key sectors that define the economic well-being of the region.
“We must continue to promote our region as a peaceful area, full of potential and business opportunities. We must review the initial responsibility of each member with regard to the promotion of cruise ships, semi-industrial fishing, industrial fishing, the promotion of super yachts and the redistribution and regional transport of cargoes,” said M Payet. .
The chief executive of the Seychelles Ports Authority also spoke of the high cost of shipping in the region, and said this needs to be discussed with operators as they continue to test the economies of the islands.
“We must remain vigilant so that our islands can continue to afford to import our basic necessities, food and other needs. We need to keep talking about these challenges and concerns and bringing them to the attention of our partners and the rest of the world,” he said.
The APIOI meeting was held for two days at the premises of the Seychelles Ports Authority in Victoria.
Source: Seychelles Nation