Exporters press for chartering a National Regional Feeder Vessel

Faced with delays and soaring freight costs, the Mauritius Export Association (MEXA) has urged authorities to consider chartering a regional supply ship (Regional Feeder Vessel) for Mauritius.

In a document submitted to the authorities, the association defended the advantages of such a measure, Defi Media reported.

Besides a reduction and irregularity in the frequency of ships calling at Port Louis, freight costs have also considerably increased, it said.

It costs about USD12,000 (Rs 516,000) to import a 40-foot container from China compared USD2,000 (about Rs 86,000) previously.

“The pandemic has highlighted the fact that our economy is heavily dependent on two main shipping lines that currently serve our port

“It is also a reality that given our size, Mauritius is not attractive enough for large international shipping companies, which, in the current context, favour large hubs like Dubai rather than small ports like ours. Hence, the importance of chartering a National Regional Feeder Vessel and positioning Mauritius as a regional logistics centre,” MEXA recommended.