West Africa: Ebola Virus Puts West Africa's Shipping Trade Under Threat

24 August 2014

With the ravaging case of Ebola in West Africa, shipping trade in the region appears to be under threat following reports that shipping lines are considering boycotting countries with the deadly virus.

The Ebola virus which is currently a health menace in West African countries is also threatening every aspect of life. The shipping sector in the region is not left out. Multi-national shipping agencies, big time bulk and container carriers are all becoming apprehensive of the ravaging disease in West Africa. Already, there is growing fear that the shipping lines may boycott West African ports until there is an end at sight for the ebola disease. The implication of this could be very devastating to everyone, including government, agencies of government, importers, exporters, freight forwarders, among others. The threat is coming despite measures being put in place to check the spread of ebola virus. Last week, reports had it that some of the multinational shipping line have already suspended shore leave and crew change in Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leon and Guinea. This followed advice from the P&I Clubs about the high risk of being infected with ebola in some of these countries. Then in the ports and border posts, there is equally unease about the disease. In response, government agencies at the ports and border stations have all adopted measures to check the spread of the disease. But these measures may not be convincing enough for the multinational shipping lines on trade mission to Nigeria and other West African countries.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.