Port Logistics in West and Central Africa: A Strategic Development under Globalization

Regine Adele Ngono Fouda, Nana Darcis Romeo, Muhammad Azizi, S. Rick Fernandez

Department of Business & Marketing, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
Department of Communication, Transport & Management, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China.
Department of Logistics Management & Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China.
School of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.

DOI: 10.4236/ojapps.2014.42009                

Abstract

The main idea of this study is to provide help to West and Central Africa port logistics authorities in making, evaluating and realizing their decisions on port development/management, all in an effort to guaranty port efficiency and operational brilliance to profit the different ports, their hinterlands and their related clients. Consequently, an examination is made as far as port sector is concerned, with an ever more demanding enhancement in operational efficiency. Moreover, a past research on West and Central Africa Ports, as well as an overview on port logistics was made, making it possible to determine what has been done (prospects) and what is still to be done (ineffectiveness), in prospective of a more reformed and efficient port. One of the principles of this paper is also to confer all the aspects that operate as obstacles to the WCA port’s improvement and development; using thus the evaluation model called EWCA (Evaluation of West and Central Africa Ports), which gives a descriptive analysis of the present situation of the latter’s port logistics, including the aid of multiple regression model to determine an impact of explanatory variables on the study probability. Applying the method of strategic development, this paper thus deals with exploring typical problems and quandaries of West and Central Africa ports. The findings suggested how to fight back or overcome the constrictions and strangulations; enabling West and Central Africa port logistics attain their desired strategic development aims, despite the ineffectiveness. Tremendous efforts were made, giving a vital shoot on African economy and development; even though there is still a lot to do, for the data and variables showed how the port logistics augment and descend frequently without a long period of stability.

Keywords

Port Logistics; West & Central Africa; Multiple Regression Analysis; Strategy Development

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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