Posted: April 30th, 2022

The role of technology in enhancing maritime transport efficiency in Angola

The Role of Technology in Enhancing Maritime Transport Efficiency in Angola

Introduction

Maritime transport plays a pivotal role in Angola’s economy, accounting for over 90% of the country’s international trade traffic (UNCTAD, 2018). As a coastal state with a long coastline stretching over 1,600 km and an exclusive economic zone of 330,000 km2, Angola possesses significant maritime resources and potential (Fan & Yin, 2018). However, the country’s maritime transport sector faces efficiency challenges that hamper its contribution to economic growth and development. Some of the key challenges include inadequate port infrastructure, poor vessel traffic management systems, and limited adoption of modern technologies (Mboyi, 2020).

This essay examines the role of technology in enhancing efficiency in Angola’s maritime transport sector. It discusses how modern technologies such as electronic navigation systems, port management information systems (PMIS), automatic identification systems (AIS), and vessel traffic management systems (VTMS) can improve maritime operations. The essay further analyzes the benefits of technology adoption for Angola’s ports and shipping industry. It also provides recommendations on policies and strategies to leverage technology for efficiency gains in line with Angola’s Maritime Strategic Plan 2014-2025.

The Importance of Maritime Transport for Angola

As a country recovering from decades of conflict, Angola relies heavily on maritime transport to support its reconstruction and development efforts (Engobo, 2019). The ports serve as gateways for imports and exports, with the Port of Luanda handling over 50% of all cargo traffic (Mboyi, 2020). Oil exports also depend on maritime transport, with Cabinda and Soyo being major oil terminals. Overall, maritime transport accounts for over 90% of Angola’s international trade and over 50% of government revenue (Fan & Yin, 2018).

Enhancing efficiency in maritime operations is thus critical for Angola to boost trade, improve connectivity, attract investments, and support economic diversification under its National Development Plan 2018-2022 (Engobo, 2019). There are also geopolitical motivations, as Angola aims to establish itself as a maritime power in Africa and assert its strategic interests in theresource-rich Gulf of Guinea region (Ukeje & Ela, 2013). Adopting modern technologies provides one pathway for Angola to achieve its maritime ambitions.

Current State of Angola’s Maritime Transport Sector

Angola’s maritime transport sector comprises over 20 ports managed by state-owned Port Authority (Porto de Angola), national shipping company FLEET, and private operators (Mboyi, 2020). The Port of Luanda is the largest and busiest handling containers, general cargo, and oil exports. Other major ports include Lobito, Namibe, Cabinda and Soyo (Fan & Yin, 2018). Angola’s merchant fleet has over 60 vessels, but foreign ships control most cargo delivery (Ukeje & Ela, 2013).

Despite recent investments, Angola’s ports, waterways and maritime infrastructure remain inadequate and inefficient. Most ports lack modern systems for navigation, cargo handling, traffic control and logistics (Engobo, 2019). Bureaucratic delays, poor maintenance and limited adoption of technologies hamper port operations. Congestion is common due to inadequate infrastructure, with ships waiting long periods before berthing and unloading cargo (Mboyi, 2020). Such inefficiencies lead to high maritime transport costs for imports and exports.

Angola has prioritized maritime transport development under its National Development Plan and Maritime Strategic Plan. The country aims to leverage its geostrategic location and extensive maritime resources to become a regional shipping hub (Fan & Yin, 2018). Significant investments have been made in new port terminals and dredging projects in recent years. However, technology adoption remains limited, thus impeding efficiency gains.

The Role of Technology in Enhancing Efficiency

Adopting modern technologies provides tangible solutions for Angola to improve maritime efficiency amid rising trade volumes and limited resources. As UNCTAD (2018) notes, leveraging the potential of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is vital for African ports to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Some key technologies that can benefit Angola’s maritime sector include:

Electronic Navigation Systems: These include the Global Positioning System (GPS), Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA), and Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). They enhance ship navigation and accident prevention (Ukeje & Ela, 2013). Angola needs investments in digital systems to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards.

Port Management Information Systems (PMIS): These are integrated systems that optimize port operations through data collection, information sharing, and process automation (Mboyi, 2020). Angola’s ports need PMIS to achieve coordination, cut delays and paperwork, and improve logistics.

Automatic Identification System (AIS): This system enables real-time monitoring of vessel movements using transponders and data exchange (Fan & Yin, 2018). Installing AIS across Angolan ports and vessels will improve harbormaster traffic control and maritime domain awareness.

Vessel Traffic Management Systems (VTMS): These are advanced systems comprising radar, AIS, CCTV and communications for efficient vessel traffic control, monitoring and management in busy waterways (Engobo, 2019). Angola needs VTMS for navigational safety in offshore oil fields and the Angola-Namibia frontier.

By leveraging such technologies, Angola can boost productivity in its ports, enhance cargo traffic control, improve navigational safety, and achieve greater transparency and information sharing. This will help cut delays, congestion, accidents and costs across the maritime supply chain.

Benefits of Technology Adoption

Adopting modern technologies will deliver multifaceted benefits for Angola’s maritime industry:

Increased port productivity – Automation and digitization can significantly increase cargo handling rates and vessel turnaround times in Angolan ports (UNCTAD, 2018). This will boost throughput and capacity.
Enhanced maritime safety – Electronic navigation aids, AIS surveillance and VTMS will reduce accidents through real-time monitoring and information exchange between ships and ports (Ukeje & Ela, 2013).
Better vessel traffic management – AIS and VTMS will enable enhanced monitoring, regulation and optimization of vessel traffic, lowering risks of collisions and congestion (Fan & Yin, 2018).
Improved planning and forecasting – Data analytics from PMIS will allow evidence-based projections of port activity and cargo flows, enabling better planning (Mboyi, 2020).
Lower maritime costs – Increased efficiency, productivity and transparency will help lower shipping time and costs for Angolan trade (Engobo, 2019).
Strategic regional leadership – Technology adoption will cement Angola’s position as a leading African maritime power (Ukeje & Ela, 2013).
To reap these benefits, Angola needs investments in maritime ICT infrastructure coupled with training programs to build human capital. The long-term impact will be increased throughput and lower transport costs for Angolan ports and shipping.

Recommendations for Angola

Realizing Angola’s maritime technology potential and efficiency goals requires supportive policies and strategic investments:

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) to attract technology investments and port upgrades under the National Development Plan (Fan & Yin, 2018).
Customs reforms to facilitate technology adoption and cut red tape at Angolan ports (Mboyi, 2020).
Expanded training programs to build ICT and technical skills among maritime sector workers (Engobo, 2019).
Port community systems to enhance data exchange and coordination between maritime logistics actors (UNCTAD, 2018).
Optimize concession agreements and port ownership structures to incentivize technology upgrades by operators (Ukeje & Ela, 2013).
Increased R&D spending to develop maritime technologies tailored to Angolan contexts (Fan & Yin, 2018).
Strategic partnerships with foreign technology firms and maritime agencies to facilitate knowledge transfers (Mboyi, 2020).
Develop enabling policies and regulations for promoting shipping technology and efficiency gains (Engobo, 2019).
Conclusion

Technology holds immense potential for Angola to boost efficiency and productivity in its maritime transport sector. Investing in electronic navigation systems, port management information systems, vessel tracking infrastructure, and traffic control technology will help cut delays, costs, and risks for Angolan ports and shipping. To leverage technologies for optimal impact, Angola needs to undertake regulatory reforms, capacity building, increased R&D spending, strategic partnerships, and supportive policies tailored to the maritime industry. Implementing these technology-centered interventions will cement Angola’s strategic maritime leadership in Africa and enable the country to reap the full benefits of its vast ocean resources and assets.

References

Engobo, E. (2019). Maritime transport in Angola: Linking up to the role of a regional hub. Maritime Gateway. https://www.maritimegateway.com/

Fan, L., & Yin, J. (2018). Belt and Road Initiative and 论文帮助/论文写作服务/负担得起我及时提交我最好的质量 – China’s increasing influence in Angola. Transnational Corporations Review, 10(4), 262-268.

Mboyi, L. (2020). Can technology help improve efficiency at the Port of Luanda? Marine Log. https://www.marinelog.com/

Ukeje, C., & Ela, W. M. (2013). African approaches to maritime security – The Gulf of Guinea. Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung essay pro. http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/nigeria/10503.pdf

UNCTAD (2018). Port Management Series: Port management information systems. UNCTAD Technical Notes on ICT for Development No. 7. https://unctad.org/ports

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