Mauritius has received a surprisingly low ranking in the Container Port Performance Index 2022 report by the World Bank, coming in at 327th out of 344 globally.
The report assesses port performance based on dwell time. Within the sub-Saharan region, Port-Louis ranks 30th out of 37 ports, lagging behind several others including Toamasina, Port Victoria, Mayotte, and Port Réunion.
Gérard Bertrand, negotiator of the Port-Louis Maritime and Employees Association, was cited as saying that Mauritius deserves a better ranking considering its facilities and questions the criteria used for the classification.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mauritian port has maintained good performance, averaging around 20 containers per hour, he claimed.
The report highlights the importance of efficient port performance for the smooth functioning of global supply chains and economic growth.
Meanwhile, the Mauritius Ports Authority has launched consultations and envisioned various projects as part of its Port Master Plan to improve port infrastructure and performance.
Reacting to the news, Gassen Dorsamy, former CEO of Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd (CHCL), has hit at the port authorities, deploring the underutilisation of the NAVIS system, which allows comprehensive control and monitoring from a computer screen.
Speaking to l’Express, Dorsamy also highlighted equipment failures, maintenance shortcomings, and productivity challenges within CHCL.
Dorsamy also emphasised the need for competent personnel instead of nepotism and lowering criteria for key positions.
“Today, we have chatwas (pejorative term referring to cronies of the current MSM ruling party) everywhere.”
Dorsamy also questionned the non-publication and implementation of a 2020 PWC report on productivity and overstaffing in the cargo sector.
Source: Defi Media, l’Express
