Germany, Namibia Enter Merchant Shipping Deal

zoomIllustration; Image Courtesy: MOL Germany and Namibia have initialed a bilateral merchant shipping agreement in Windhoek to further strengthen and develop economic relations between the two countries. Reached on January 31, 2017, the agreement also has an aim to promote Namibias transformation into a logistics hub for the Southern African region, according to information provided by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. The deal was agreed between delegations from the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure and the Government of the Republic of Namibia. The delegation was scheduled to visit Namport and NAMFI in Walvis Bay on February 2, 2017, in order to explore possible areas of cooperation. Shipping is the most cost-effective way to transport the vast majority of goods in international trade and will be central for global sustainable development and growth, the Embassy said. Germany ranks first in the World Bank’s global Logistics Performance Index 2016. Under the agreement and the envisaged cooperation projects, German companies can provide their know-how to make a major contribution to more trade and growth in and with Africa.