Covid-19: UN urges Nigeria, others to keep Borders, Ports open

Abiola Seun

As the world battles the coronavirus pandemic, the United Nations Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD) has urged global maritime transport industry to keep their borders open.

According to UNCTAD, the global maritime transport industry is playing a critical role in the response to the fight against the pandemic.

In a statement, UNCTAD Secretary-General, Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, called on all governments to keep maritime trade moving by allowing commercial ships continued access to ports worldwide and by facilitating the rapid changeover of ships’ crews should not go unheeded.

Around 80 per cent of global trade is transported by commercial shipping, which moves the world’s food, energy and raw materials, as well as manufactured goods and components, according to UNCTAD statistics.

Similarly, the statement added, “This includes vital medical supplies, which are sorely needed at this time, and items that are necessary for the preservation of many jobs in manufacturing – without which modern society cannot function.

In this time of global crisis, it is more important than ever to keep supply chains open and to allow maritime trade and cross-border transport to continue. This means keeping the world’s ports open for ship calls and the movement of ships’ crews with as few obstacles as possible.”

The statement emphasised that transit needs to be facilitated too, adding that landlocked countries need access to food and medical supplies through neighbouring countries’ seaports.

UNCTAD hinted that shipping and ports hold the world economy together, as they connect countries, markets, businesses and people, on a scale not otherwise possible.

“A vast array of goods and commodities are transported by sea to meet the demands of industrial and manufacturing sectors, energy needs, as well as business and consumer requirements.

“These range from raw materials such as coal and iron ore, oil, gas carried as bulk, to manufactured goods of intermediate and finished products carried in containers.

“Facing the current pandemic, cross-border movements of relief goods such as food and medical supplies will increase dramatically,” the statement added.

However, the statement highlighted that restrictions on trade and cross-border transport may interrupt needed aid and technical support. It could disrupt businesses and have negative social and economic effects on the affected countries.

UNCTAD said Governments should therefore continue to facilitate movement of not only relief goods, but goods in general, to minimize the negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

UNCTAD noted that to ensure vital goods reach consumers and hospitals in destination countries, responsible agencies should coordinate and cooperate within and among countries so that indispensable goods reach the populations in coastal and landlocked countries alike.

“At the extraordinary G20 Leaders’ Summit on the COVID-19 pandemic, which meets virtually this week, world leaders should embrace the call made by the shipping industry to keep maritime trade moving by allowing continued access to ports worldwide and the rapid changeover of ships’ crews.”

Editing by ‘Biodun Soyele