Africa-Press – Eswatini. Eswatini is taking decisive steps toward entering the global maritime trade arena by working to secure its own ships and formalising its participation in international maritime structures.
This was revealed by the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Thulani Mkhaliphi, during a briefing in Mbabane on Monday, 1 December 2025.
The initiative, which is being pursued jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, marks a significant shift in Eswatini’s long-term economic strategy. Although the country is landlocked, government believes that greater involvement in maritime trade will unlock new commercial opportunities and strengthen Eswatini’s position in global supply chains.
Mkhaliphi said the government had initiated exploratory engagements with the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, to understand what requirements Eswatini must meet in order to benefit from maritime trade. He expressed confidence that the IMO would provide clear guidance on the regulatory and technical steps necessary for the country to establish a legitimate presence in the maritime sector.
“We approached the Secretary-General to seek advice on what Eswatini needs to do to participate meaningfully in maritime trade,” Mkhaliphi said. “We are confident that the IMO will support us in outlining the necessary steps and ensuring that Eswatini becomes compliant with international maritime standards.”
RATIFICATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAWS UNDERWAY
One of the key prerequisites for Eswatini is the ratification of a set of international maritime conventions, which would enable the Kingdom to become a formal member of the IMO. Mkhaliphi explained that negotiations were already at an advanced stage, with one of the required international instruments having been tabled in Parliament through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
He noted that formal ratification would mark a major milestone, as it would allow Eswatini to begin participating actively in global maritime governance and ultimately gain access to maritime facilities through bilateral agreements.
“Once Parliament completes the ratification processes, Eswatini will start becoming part of the countries recognised within the international maritime system,” he said. “This will give us a pathway to secure ships that will trade on our behalf and carry the Kingdom’s flag.”
NEGOTIATIONS WITH COASTAL STATES
Another essential stage in the process involves negotiating agreements with neighbouring coastal countries, particularly Mozambique and South Africa. These countries would play a crucial role in granting Eswatini logistical access to the sea, including access to ports, shipping lanes, and coastal infrastructure.
Mkhaliphi stressed that, as a landlocked nation, Eswatini must build robust partnerships with its coastal neighbours to ensure seamless maritime operations.
“Access to the oceans will not only give Eswatini a formal presence in the maritime world but will also enable us to benefit from the vast economic activities linked to maritime trade,” he said.
He added that the government considered cooperation with Mozambique and South Africa essential because of their established maritime capacity, port infrastructure, and strategic positioning along the Indian Ocean trade routes.
WHY MARITIME TRADE MATTERS FOR ESWATINI
According to Mkhaliphi, more than 80 per cent of global trade is conducted via oceans. This means that maritime transport remains the lifeline of international commerce, moving goods at a scale unmatched by air or land transport. For Eswatini, which imports most of its goods and relies heavily on neighbouring countries’ ports for access to global markets, developing its own maritime capabilities is seen as a strategic investment in economic independence and resilience.
“Eswatini must position itself to benefit from the majority of trading activities happening across the world,” Mkhaliphi said. “Countries with a maritime presence enjoy more competitive trade conditions, greater control over shipping logistics, and increased opportunities for economic expansion.”
He noted that operating its own ships would allow Eswatini to reduce certain logistical costs, improve supply chain efficiency, and create new opportunities for local participation in the maritime economy. This could include ship management, maritime training, logistics operations, and partnerships with international shipping firms.
POSITIONING FOR FUTURE GROWTH
Beyond trade benefits, the government views maritime engagement as part of Eswatini’s broader ambition to diversify its economy and reduce vulnerability to external shocks. Establishing a foothold in maritime commerce could also pave the way for future investments in transport corridors, warehousing, and specialised logistics services.
Mkhaliphi said the initiative aligns with long-term national development goals, which emphasise economic diversification, regional integration, and strengthening Eswatini’s presence in global markets.
He added that once the legislative groundwork is complete and agreements with coastal states are finalised, the government expects to move swiftly toward securing vessels that will operate under the Eswatini flag.
“This is a long process, but we are committed,” he said. “Eswatini must not remain on the sidelines while the rest of the world conducts its business through maritime channels.”
As the country continues to refine its maritime strategy, government officials say they are optimistic about the progress made so far and confident that Eswatini will soon find its place among nations that fully participate in maritime trade.
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