Anchored on a feasibility study that affirmed both the practicality of the cabotage protocol and the commercial viability of establishing regional shipping lines, maritime stakeholders have nonetheless urged policymakers to institute strong governance safeguards, insulate the process from political interference, and offer firm financial discipline.

Their concerns surfaced during consultations on a revised feasibility report for the proposed Eastern and Southern Africa (ESNA) shipping initiative.

Delegates stressed that previous regional efforts collapsed due to institutional fragility, fiscal overexposure, and lack of operational autonomy. They urged the drafters to conduct a clear root-cause analysis and embed commercial safeguards at the heart of the new structure.

In response, the revised report now adopts a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework that separates regulatory oversight from commercial operations and introduces stronger governance and financial controls to shield the venture from political pressure.

Participants further called for deeper integration with hinterland logistics systems and clearer service benchmarks to enhance reliability and commercial viability.

Financial modelling received thorough attention, with delegates engaging in a constructive review to ensure that MOESNA shipping line’s projections are robust, adaptable, and well-positioned to navigate market fluctuations and regulatory frameworks.

To improve bankability, stakeholders proposed structured risk-sharing mechanisms, blended finance instruments, fiscal incentives, and sovereign guarantees to crowd in long-term capital.

The revised draft assigns governance the highest weighing, 25 per cent, in its multi-criteria assessment framework. It embeds key performance indicators, formalizes the separation of regulatory and commercial functions, and integrates blended finance structures to balance commercial returns with developmental objectives.

Stakeholders also recommended formal inclusion of private sector representatives in decision-making bodies to strengthen operational discipline.

Long-term sustainability, stakeholders argued, will depend on building regional maritime skills. The revised framework introduces Eastern and Southern Africa crew thresholds of 40–60 per cent, mandatory cadet berth allocations, and a structured training pipeline aligned with international Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping requirements.