Port inefficiency sparks concerns: Operators demand action

The inefficiency of the port in Mauritius has become a growing concern for exporters, opposition leaders, and now the Freeport Operators Association (FOA).

With increased competition and new competitors emerging, operators are facing numerous difficulties that are impacting their import-export operations, primarily due to the subpar level of service at the port.

Afzal Delbar, Secretary-General of the FOA, expressed his frustration with the situation, emphasising the urgent need for discussions on port competitiveness and innovation.

He criticised the Mauritius Port Authority (MPA) for its punitive measures against shipping lines and called for improved leadership and planning to address the challenges faced by the industry.

Three weeks earlier, Mauritius 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.

Ken Poonoosamy, CEO of the Economic Development Board (EDB), acknowledged the need for adjustments in response to changing market dynamics but instead on the importance of adhering to international standards.

Despite differences in tone, both Delbar and Poonoosamy agreed on the need to address the “issues plaguing the port” and work towards “clearing the mess”.

Source: Le Mauricien