Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Government crafting a new Merchant Shipping Act aimed at aligning national laws with international maritime standards and positioning the country as a competitive player in global commerce.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona announced the development yesterday while addressing the 34th Session of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Assembly in London. He said the new legal framework would help Zimbabwe unlock new economic opportunities and strengthen its participation in global supply chains.
Mhona highlighted that Zimbabwe is moving from viewing itself as a land-locked country to embracing its identity as a land-linked nation with strong regional connections.
“This paradigm shift leverages our strategic position to fully integrate into global supply chains. To anchor this vision, Zimbabwe is asserting its regional leadership through active participation in the Maritime Organisation for Eastern, Southern, and Northern Africa (MOESNA), working to build a stronger, more efficient African maritime network,” he said.
He emphasised that Zimbabwe’s presence at the IMO Assembly is not symbolic but strategic.
“It allows Zimbabwe to shape international maritime policy, advocate for the interests of land-linked nations, attract vital investment, and access cutting-edge knowledge in green shipping and digital technology key elements for modernising our national transport infrastructure,” he said.
Minister Mhona added that the engagement aligns directly with the national development agenda.
“The participation is a step toward realising the national vision of an Empowered and Prosperous Upper-Middle Income Society by 2030, as championed by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa. It powerfully signals that Zimbabwe is open for business and ready to claim its rightful role in the global maritime economy,” he noted.
Running from November 24 to December 3, the IMO Assembly offers Zimbabwe a high-level platform to express its commitment to safe, secure, environmentally responsible and technologically advanced global shipping.
Through legislative reforms, regional cooperation, and renewed international engagement, Zimbabwe is positioning itself to benefit from maritime trade and strengthen its integration into the global economy.
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