The African Maritime Council has warned that many African ports risk losing competitiveness to more advanced global hubs due to weak digital infrastructure, limited regulatory frameworks for autonomous vessels, and concerns about maritime workforce displacement.

The Council stated that the emergence of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) autonomous shipping could expose existing gaps in maritime governance and technology adoption across the continent, while also raising concerns about rising cybersecurity vulnerabilities and the high costs associated with port modernisation.

The IMO unveiled the world’s first comprehensive regulatory framework for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), which industry stakeholders said could significantly reshape global shipping, port operations, maritime training and trade logistics.

The African Maritime Council described the new rulebook as a defining moment for the maritime industry, noting that while fully autonomous vessels are still in the early stages of deployment, the global shipping sector is steadily moving toward greater automation, digitalisation and data-driven operations.

According to the Council, the framework presents both opportunities and challenges for Africa’s maritime sector as countries on the continent seek to remain competitive in an increasingly technology-driven global trade environment.

The Council noted that the transition toward autonomous shipping is expected to stimulate the growth of smart port infrastructure, advanced vessel-tracking systems, artificial intelligence-driven logistics solutions, and more new career opportunities for automation engineers, remote operators, and maritime cybersecurity specialists.

The Council stated that autonomous shipping also has the potential to improve operational efficiency at African ports through faster vessel handling, reduced turnaround times and enhanced logistics management.

The Council added that Africa cannot ignore this shift, as the technology could strengthen regional trade connectivity through smart logistics, attract more international traffic, and influence the continent’s competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and global trade integration by facilitating smoother cargo movement across borders.

“Many African ports still face gaps in digital infrastructure, regulatory readiness and workforce development. As global shipping evolves, countries that invest early in technology, training and modern port systems may be better positioned to attract trade and remain competitive,” the Council stated.

The Council, however, noted that the conversation is no longer whether autonomous shipping will become part of the maritime industry, but how prepared ports, regulators, shipping companies and maritime institutions will be when large-scale adoption begins.

The Council emphasised that while the IMO framework provides a starting point, African maritime stakeholders must be ready to adapt to a changing operating environment while continuing to support safe, efficient and competitive trade.

According to the Council, African governments must begin developing regulations aligned with IMO standards for autonomous vessels, while port authorities should accelerate investments in smart-port infrastructure and digital vessel management systems.

The Council also called on maritime academies to update their training curricula to include artificial intelligence navigation, automation systems, and cybersecurity, while urging shipping companies to prepare for operational environments in which conventional and autonomous vessels coexist.

The Council stated that the IMO framework provides a foundation for the global adoption of autonomous shipping, but Africa’s ability to capitalise on the emerging technology will depend on the readiness of its ports, regulators, shipping firms and maritime institutions.