The importance of transport in supporting socio-economic development and regional integration was at the centre stage at the second African Union (AU) Conference of Ministers responsible for Maritime Transport, which was held at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC), from 12 to 16 October 2009.

The gathering of technical experts and decision makers of all member states in the African Union was an opportunity to review the performance of the maritime transport industry in the continent and adopted the updated African Maritime Transport Charter, a continental policy and strategic framework that involves stakeholders both in the public and private sector.

Among others, the conference  deliberated on the following:
* Consideration of the African Maritime Transport Charter
* Review of the plan of action on maritime transport
* Port management and development in Africa
* Capacity building
* Multimodal transport in Africa
* Maritime Safety and Security in Africa
* Integrated coast guard initiatives for Africa
* Djibouti Code of Conduct
* Exchanged experiences on the challenges and prospects in maritime transport
* Consideration of the draft resolution on maritime safety and security in Africa.

Maritime transport continues to be one of the most viable way of facilitating trade between continents, with its role that much more important in Africa as our exports are mainly unprocessed commodities, for example agricultural and natural produce which are bulky, resulting in approximately 90 percent of the total trade of Africa being seaborne.

The conference also served to showcase the South African maritime industry, including their training facilities, and provision of ports and maritime services to neighboring states, further highlighting their commitment to regional development.

Stakeholders in the maritime transport sub-sector in Africa periodically reflect on cost-effective strategies for building their capacity to invest in the various maritime businesses; however, this is contrasted by the resurgence of age old global problems including piracy, human trafficking and dumping of toxic wastes on Africa’s coastal waters. In particular, increased piracy is a cause for concern for African states and the international community; added to this is the illegal fishing which has been going on for decades unnoticed.

In addressing these and various maritime issues, the African Union (AU) Commission partnered with the Federal Republic of Nigeria and organised the First Conference of Ministers responsible for maritime transport, held in Abuja from 19 to 23 February 2007, the first conference under the auspices of the AU.
The AU Commission has since then worked with a group of experts to revise the African Maritime Transport Charter and convened a meeting of experts in October 2008 to review the final draft; furthermore the commission has drafted a declaration on maritime safety and security to, particularly, address the issue of piracy. In that regard, the new charter and declaration was presented for consideration and  adoption at the Ministers Conference.

Some of the main outcomes from the conference are the adoption of the African Maritime Transport Charter and a Ministers’ Declaration on Maritime Safety and Security. The conference also adopted comprehensive strategies for enhanced competitiveness of ports - maritime safety, security and protection of the environment remain ever paramount.

Participants to the conference will include:
* African Ministers responsible for maritime transport
* Experts of the African Union Member States who are responsible for maritime transport policies and strategies
* Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA)
* Associations of African shipping lines
* Associations of African lighthouses
* African port management associations; (PAPC, PMAWCA, NAPMA and
PMAESA)
* Union of African Shippers Councils (UASC/UCCA)
* African Union Commission
* New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Secretariat
* African Development Bank (AFDB)
* United Nations Commission for Africa (UNECA)
* Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
* World Bank
* European Union
* Continental and international maritime transport organisations
* Development partners
* Regional and international financial organisations
* International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
* United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
* United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)