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🇨🇩 DR Congo /Economy & Trade

Congolese Shipping Lines See Sharp Drop in Boma Port Activity

From Radio Okapi · () French

Translated from French and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Congolese Shipping Lines (LMC) report a significant decrease in ship rotations at the port of Boma, falling from 22 per year in 2017-2018 to just five annually.
  • The decline is attributed to difficulties faced by local economic operators and producers in meeting export demand, leading to long waiting times for shipments.
  • LMC's deputy director urges the revival of local agricultural production and exports to ensure the company can cover its operating costs and maintain its activities.

Congolese Shipping Lines (LMC) are grappling with a severe downturn in operations at the port of Boma, with ship rotations plummeting.

Currently, we have dropped to five voyages per year, whereas in 2017 and 2018, we were making 22 per year.

— Dieudonné KaserekaExplaining the significant drop in ship rotations.

Deputy Director Dieudonné Kasereka stated that annual rotations have fallen from 22 in 2017-2018 to a mere five, directly linked to a receding export demand over recent months.

Kasereka highlighted that local economic operators and producers face significant hurdles, causing delays of two to three months for even small export volumes. He emphasized that the port of Boma was established for agricultural exports, underscoring the need to boost production.

The port of Boma was created for the export of agricultural products. Today, even to get the little we transport, you have to wait two to three months.

— Dieudonné KaserekaDescribing the difficulties faced by local producers and the impact on export volumes.

To ensure LMC can cover its monthly operating expenses, including $15,000 for ship rental, Kasereka called for a revival of local agricultural production and exports. He believes this is essential for the company's long-term viability.

If we revive the old companies or support farmers to produce in sufficient quantities, we will have more goods to export.

— Dieudonné KaserekaProposing a solution to increase exportable goods.
About this summary

Originally published by Radio Okapi in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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