AFRICA's dredging industry is expected to boom with population growth in the continent's coastal areas leading to increasing demand for offshore oil and gas, and the construction of new ports and maintenance works on existing ones.
With at least one-third of the population in West Africa living in coastal areas, which according to the World Bank, loses more than US$3.8 billion income annually to erosion, flooding and pollution, dredging has become necessary.
This is not only because of the need to avert climate change-related effects triggered by rising sea levels, but also to boost the production efficiency of ports, fisheries, and offshore oil and gas operations, all of which contribute nearly 42 per cent to the sub-region's economy.
Africa's economic growth is projected to reach 3.9 per cent in 2022, up from the 2.6 per cent reported in 2017, reports IHS Media's Dredging and Port Construction.
As the region's trade with the rest of the world increases, so is the demand for bigger ports to accommodate larger vessels likely to grow. Hence the ongoing and planned port expansion and maintenance across Africa to, among other reasons, enable post-Panamax 1,800 TEU container vessels to enter the continent's major gateways.
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With at least one-third of the population in West Africa living in coastal areas, which according to the World Bank, loses more than US$3.8 billion income annually to erosion, flooding and pollution, dredging has become necessary.
This is not only because of the need to avert climate change-related effects triggered by rising sea levels, but also to boost the production efficiency of ports, fisheries, and offshore oil and gas operations, all of which contribute nearly 42 per cent to the sub-region's economy.
Africa's economic growth is projected to reach 3.9 per cent in 2022, up from the 2.6 per cent reported in 2017, reports IHS Media's Dredging and Port Construction.
As the region's trade with the rest of the world increases, so is the demand for bigger ports to accommodate larger vessels likely to grow. Hence the ongoing and planned port expansion and maintenance across Africa to, among other reasons, enable post-Panamax 1,800 TEU container vessels to enter the continent's major gateways.
WORLD SHIPPING