Algeria demands improvements from MSC and Maersk for freight
The maritime sector is of crucial importance for the Algerian economy, representing a significant share of the country’s imports and exports. Over the last decade, Algeria has invested nearly 38 billion dollars in maritime freight, highlighting the importance of this industry for its economic development. However, a recent warning from the Algerian government against the giants of maritime transport, MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) and Maersk, underscores growing concerns regarding the quality of services and their compliance with regulatory standards. This article explores the issues raised by this situation as well as the expectations of the Algerian government towards these companies.
A changing maritime context
With over 1,200 kilometers of coastline along the Mediterranean Sea, Algeria has several major ports such as the port of Algiers, the port of Oran, and the port of Annaba. These infrastructures are essential for regional and international trade. The country has also launched initiatives aimed at modernizing its ports and improving the efficiency of its maritime operations. However, the Algerian maritime sector faces many challenges, including bureaucracy, slow customs procedures, and managing relationships with foreign shipping companies.
The complaints made by Algeria
In a letter addressed on December 11, the Directorate of Merchant Marine and Ports, under the Ministry of Interior and Transport, listed nine practices deemed contrary to current regulations by MSC and Maersk. Among the main concerns are:
Insufficient counters and poor organization
Algeria accuses MSC and Maersk of having an insufficient number of counters to process customer requests, resulting in endless queues and poor organization. This situation affects economic operators who rely on these services for their business transactions.
Delays in processing operations
The government has also reported significant delays in the delivery of goods and customs procedures deemed slow. These delays can have major economic consequences for businesses that rely on efficient logistics.
Unjustified additional costs
Shipowners are accused of imposing additional costs on their clients, adding to already high transport fees. These practices raise questions about cost transparency and the need for stricter regulation.
Requirement for payment by bank transfer
Another criticism concerns the obligation to pay only by bank transfer for commercial transactions, thus limiting payment options for customers.
The expectations of Algeria towards MSC and Maersk
In light of these complaints, the Algerian government has made clear demands. It asks the two giants of maritime freight to implement immediate corrective measures to improve the quality of their services. Expectations include:
Improvement of customer reception
Algeria demands that MSC and Maersk review their organization to ensure better customer reception, notably by increasing the number of counters and optimizing the processing of requests.
Reduction of processing times
Shipping companies must optimize their procedures to reduce processing times. This could involve digitizing certain processes or adequately training staff.
Cost transparency
The government calls for greater transparency regarding costs related to maritime operations in order to avoid hidden fees that impact Algerian businesses.
The economic impacts
The criticisms made by Algeria against MSC and Maersk concern not only regulatory issues; they also touch on crucial economic issues. The increase in maritime freight costs has repercussions on the prices of imported goods, thus affecting inflation. Companies that depend on maritime transport find themselves in a delicate position, having to juggle increased costs and unreliable services.
The outlook for the Algerian maritime sector
In this context, Algeria must consider strengthening its maritime regulation to better frame the practices of foreign companies. This could include:
Strengthening controls
Strengthening controls on the practices of shipping companies could ensure better compliance with regulatory standards.
Development of the national fleet
Investing in the development of a national maritime fleet could reduce dependence on foreign shipowners while creating jobs and strengthening economic sovereignty.
Modernization of port infrastructures
The modernization of port infrastructures is essential to improve the efficiency of maritime transport. This could involve investments in cutting-edge technologies for handling goods and better flow management.
Conclusion
Algeria’s reprimand of MSC and Maersk highlights the challenges the country faces in the maritime sector and underscores the need for strengthened regulation. As Algeria strives to improve its infrastructures and strengthen its position in maritime trade, expectations towards the giants of maritime freight are clear: quality, transparent, and efficient services. The response of MSC and Maersk to these criticisms could have significant repercussions on their presence in Algeria and on the dynamics of the maritime sector as a whole.
For additional information, you can consult resources such as the Maritime Executive, the official site of Maersk, the official site of MSC, and the site of the International Institute of Maritime Professions.
