Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The executive administrator of Enapor defended today that the challenges of modernizing African ports, inserted in transport logistics and traffic and foreign trade corridors, require large resources and highly qualified professionals.
Eduardo Lima made these statements at the opening of the 9th Meeting of the Network of Port Facilities Commanders and Security Officers of the West and Central African Port Management Association (AGPAOC), which takes place from today to Wednesday, in the city of Praia.
As he highlighted, this meeting takes place in a special context, justifying that many African ports have faced several challenges due to the conflict in the Red Sea, with increased pressure from pirates in territorial waters, accidents with passenger ships and redirection of vessels.
For these reasons, the executive administrator of the National Port Company of Cape Verde (Enapor) stated that security in ports is essential to guarantee the protection of facilities, operations and the lives of workers.
“Implementing rigorous and effective security measures is not just a regulatory obligation, but a moral responsibility that we must fulfill with excellence”, he admitted, reinforcing that it is necessary to invest in advanced technologies, in the continuous training of professionals and in surveillance practices that ensure an environment safe and protected against internal and external threats.
“And, particularly in the case of commanders, it is essential to have experience in different styles of ships to be able to respond immediately to numerous challenges, based on technical knowledge and also on new information and communication technologies”, he added.
Eduardo Lima highlighted that at this meeting, which includes the participation of experts in artificial intelligence, innovative technological solutions for port operations and better regional maritime security will be shared with commanders, aiming for safe, innovative, efficient and sustainable port management.
“It will also elect a new executive from the network of captains and security officers for AGPAOC port facilities, taking us to an option for the future, allowing for better efficiency and security in promoting the maritime port business”, he stated.
For his part, the representative of the president of the Commanders’ Network, Alain Nkoyock, praised everyone’s presence at this event, assuring that they are very committed to improving security in African ports, and in the AGPAOC maritime domain in general.
“The security and safety challenges in the AGPAOC region are our main focus”, he stated, hoping that the discussions could result in common strategies that will allow these port authorities and maritime administrations to manage the ports and maritime domains in order to provide the necessary guarantee to merchant ships.
The West and Central African Port Management Association is a sub-regional intergovernmental economic organization established in 1972 under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
It covers seaports located along the west coast of Africa, stretching from Mauritania to Angola.
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