Introduction
Ocean, river and sea connectivity is the lifeline of international trade. However in recent years, there has been an evident shift in cargo shipments from a very high paced mode via airfreight to a more economical mode i.e. sea shipping. In the past few decades, there has been an unprecedented growth in maritime trade and the sea continues to be the backbone for the majority of major global trade routes. Despite the importance of river and sea connectivity in international trade, there seems to be a lack of awareness about the issue in general public consciousness. The benefits of engaging in sea shipping to Africa from Dubai are as follows:
Merits of sea shipping to Africa from Dubai
Reliability
In terms of reliability, sea shipping is a more reliable option. The reason why it’s reliable is because it’s been around for a long time and its services are well established. The sea shipping to Africa from Dubai service has also been well tested over the years, so you can be sure that the service will be available when you need it. This means that you don’t have to worry about whether or not your cargo will arrive safely at its destination on time or not.
Value
One of the biggest advantages of exporting your cargo via sea shipping is that you have time to add value by offering additional services like insurance coverage, customised packaging or even preferential handling. This will make your product more attractive in the eyes of African buyers and increase its chances of success in this market.
Lowered risks of damage to cargo
Cargo is vulnerable to damage during transit and storage. The lower risk of damage to cargo when it is transported by sea is due to several factors, including:
- The absence of road traffic when transporting cargo by sea, which lowers the risk of accidents and damages.
- The use of sturdy shipping containers as opposed to sacks or parcels which are more likely to be damaged or lost during transit.
- The use of electronic tracking systems that track the location of shipments at all times, enabling you to monitor the status of your shipment at all times.
Lower CODB (cost of doing business)
The Cost of Doing Business, or CODB, is the cost of carrying out a business activity. It includes factors such as: Equipment costs, labour costs, materials costs (such as fuel and raw materials) and overhead costs (such as rent or building repairs).
The CODB is used in international trade to compare the relative costs of doing business in different countries. For example, if the cost of doing business in one country is lower than another country, then it will be cheaper to import goods from the lower-cost country into your own country than from the higher-cost country.
The benefit that you can enjoy from exporting to Africa via sea shipping is the lower CODB (cost of doing business). This is because you would not have to incur additional costs, such as storage and insurance fees, which will be incurred in case you choose air or land shipping. The cost of sea shipping to Africa from Dubai will also be less when compared to air and land shipping, since there are no hidden charges involved.
Wider range of shipping container options
There are many different types of shipping containers available on the market. These include FCL, LCL, RORO, and Dry Bulk Shipping. The type of container you choose depends on your budget and the size of your cargo goods. There are also different types of shipping containers that can be used by different cargo goods such as chemicals and food. This can help ensure that the materials will arrive safely without any damage to them or their packaging.
Option to choose a trade route that serves your purpose best
There are various trade routes available for exporting your cargo by sea shipping to Africa from Dubai and they can be chosen based on the following factors:-
- Distance between the source and destination port.
- Cost of transportation.
- Duty rate of the product being shipped.
- Seasons when you want to export your cargo to Africa.
The trade routes available to ship cargo to Africa are as follows:
The Baltic Sea route is the most popular and fastest route. It services both the North and the South ports of Africa. This route takes 2-3 weeks to reach its destination. It is also the most expensive route to use as it has high insurance costs due to piracy in the area.
The Black Sea route offers more options for shipping cargo from Dubai, UAE to Africa. It can be used in three ways: via Turkey or Bulgaria or Romania. This route takes about 5-6 weeks to reach its destination. The advantage of this route is that it does not require any insurance and has lower insurance costs than other trade routes because of its less risky nature.
The Suez Canal route can also be used by exporting goods from Dubai, UAE to Africa. This option is only available for shipping certain goods such as food items, raw materials etc… This trade route takes about 8-10 weeks depending on whether you are using a vessel or an air freight service.
The ability to ship massive orders.
Africa is a massive country, and it has a large population. This means that there is a lot of demand for goods and services in Africa. The ability to ship massive orders via sea shipping is something that many companies will find appealing.
Ship large quantities of cargo in a single shipment.
One of the biggest benefits of exporting cargo via sea shipping to Africa from Dubai is the fact that you can send large quantities of cargo in one shipment. This will save you money on storage costs and other expenses such as insurance premiums and freight charges.
Ship large items such as machinery or equipment with ease.
Many companies want to export large items such as machinery or equipment, but are unable to do so because they do not have access to enough space for these items on their trucks or ships for transportation purposes. If you choose to use a shipping company in Dubai that specialises in sea transport services then you can be sure that this issue will never arise again because they have access to a wide range of different sizes and types of vessels that can be used for transportation purposes so there will always be something available for any type of cargo no matter how big or heavy it may be
Opportunity for a more stable supply chain
Africa is one of the top global importers of goods and services. According to the Trade Economics forecast, Africa’s imports are predicted to rise at a moderate rate over the next five years, reaching 22800.00 USD Million in 2023 and 24800.00 USD Million by 2024.
Africa’s need for imports is expected to continue growing due to its expanding population and increasing demand for goods and services. Cargo sea shipping to Africa from Dubai is an excellent option for companies that want to take advantage of this opportunity. When compared to air freight or other modes of transportation, shipping cargo by sea offers several benefits that make it a good choice for long-term partnerships and stability in the supply chain.
Convenient Sea Shipping to Africa from Dubai
The benefits of sea shipping are many and varied. Companies that ship by sea range from airlines, parcel carriers and shipping companies, to consumer-goods manufacturers, raw material merchants and distributors. Ultimately, the right choice for an exporter will vary—but it may not hurt to consider sea shipping to Africa from Dubai as a viable option for trade with Africa.
Greenway Cargo supports clients who export by sea to African ports. We provide an exclusive customised service provided with a single point of contact between the client and the ship. This strategy helps to achieve better control of delivery times, security and reduce the costs associated with overland transport. Connect with us to maximise the benefits of sea shipping: (+971) 45644270.
