Maritime
China Exports To Face Tough 2014 as Yuan Climbs
BEIJING – China’s export growth was disappointing in the final month of 2013due to lackluster demand from developed markets, data released Friday showedBut there could be more problems in store for China’s exporters in 2014 as the yuan currency’s continued appreciation against the U.S. dollar makes the country’s goods more expensive in world markets.
China’s exporters have to contend with rising wages and other costs that have crept up in recent years. The appreciation of the yuan, or renminbi, is another headache, which makes China’s goods more expensive overseas and reduces profits in local-currency terms.
“Rising wages and the yuan are a tremendous problem for us,” said Uwe Hutzler, the general manager of a Chinese company that supplies leather to clothing manufacturers. “We have to pay our expenses and salaries in renminbi but our invoices are in dollars.”
China still remains an export powerhouse for manufacturing goods like electronics. The nation’s share of world trade remains above 10% despite cost pressures. Foreign companies say they need to invest in China because of its large scale of production and integrated supply networks.
Data released Friday showed China’s total trade exceeded $4 trillion in 2013, overtaking the U.S. as the world’s largest trading country.
But there are signs of potential problems ahead for the nation’s export sector. Weak demand from the U.S. and Europe is a concern.Exports in December grew 4.3% compared with a year earlier, the latest data showed, down from 12.7% year-over year growth in November. That is partly explained by distortions in the data, with an unusually strong month in December 2012 providing an unflattering comparison.
ANZ Bank pointed out export growth in 2013 as a whole was 7.6%, the second straight year exports have undershot an 8% target. The bank put this down to “diminishing trade competitiveness” as the yuan appreciates.
In real terms — taking account of inflation — the currency appreciated 18.5% against the dollar between June 2010 and November 2013, according to calculations by Karim Foda, a researcher at Brookings Institution. Against some Asian currencies — notably the Indonesian rupiah and the Indian rupee, which fell sharply last year — the declines have been even larger.
More than 500 Chinese companies surveyed by Global Sources, a China-based firm that runs an online marketplace for exporters, cited the strength of the yuan as the most pressing challenge of 2014. A year earlier the currency issue was only number four on the list, eclipsed by rising costs, price competition and slow orders from Europe and the U.S.To deal with rising costs, many manufacturers based in coastal southern China are moving production to cheaper inland facilities or to cheaper countries like Cambodia, Bangladesh and Vietnam. Since the beginning of the 2008 financial crisis, shoemakers in Guangdong region have moved about one third of their production to the interior of China and another third to Southeast Asia, said Li Peng, secretary general of Asian Footwear Industry Association.
“A lot of shoemakers near the coastal areas barely make any profits,” he said. “They are struggling to survive.”
Chetan Ahya, an economist with Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong, says it’s too early for manufacturers to have shifted orders from China based on currency movements, but this could become a bigger factor in 2014.
Chinese officials point out that a stronger yuan also means cheaper imports. China’s government is attempting to move the country away from reliance on state-led industry and exports toward larger domestic consumption. Cheaper imports of foreign goods will help achieve this goal.
“Yuan appreciation will surely lift exports prices and undermine our exports competitiveness,” said Zheng Yuesheng, a spokesman for the Customs Administration. “But… yuan appreciation also helps lower our imports costs.”Policy makers, though, are keen the shift away from exports and heavy industry doesn’t lead to economic dislocations and rising unemployment.
There already are worrying signs that China’s role as the world’s factory floor is being undercut. Foreign investment into Chinese manufacturing dropped 5.7% year-over-year in the first 11 months of 2013 to $64.7 billion, the most recent data available, after a 7.1% decline in 2012. In contrast, Vietnam’s FDI surged by more than 80% last year as manufacturers rushed to take advantage of lower costs.
The production of the low-end household goods that were long the mainstay of China’s economic growth has stagnated. In the first eleven months of 2013, China sent 15% fewer electronic calculators abroad than in the same period a year earlier, 12% fewer umbrellas, and 21% fewer cigarette lighters.
Mr. Zheng, the customs spokesman, acknowledged that the currency issue is a serious one for companies, citing a government survey which found that yuan appreciation significantly impacted costs for 60% of exporters.
“To deal with the issue, I can only recommend that exporters actively upgrade their products and produce more value-added exports,” he said.
– WALLSTREET JOURNAL
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Navy have renewed their strategic partnership with the endorsement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen maritime security, enhance safety and deepen coordinated enforcement across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
The MoU was signed at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters, Abuja, by the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, and the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
The renewed agreement marks a significant milestone in the longstanding relationship between both institutions and represents the first formal renewal of their partnership since the original MoU was signed in 2007.
The agreement provides a framework for enhanced collaboration in the promotion and maintenance of maritime security and the effective implementation of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and other relevant maritime laws and regulations within NIMASA’s mandate.
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Speaking at the signing ceremony, the NIMASA Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, commended the commitment of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to strengthening inter-agency collaboration as a key driver of maritime security and the development of Nigeria’s Blue Economy.
He said the renewed MoU would provide a stronger institutional framework for both organisations to discharge their respective statutory mandates while consolidating the gains already recorded in securing Nigeria’s maritime domain. This he said will enhance achieving the goals of President Bola Tinubu GCFR for the Blue Economy.
According to him, the agreement is also designed to address emerging maritime security challenges through improved coordination, information sharing and operational cooperation.
“As we renew this partnership today, I urge our respective teams to ensure that the spirit of this agreement translates into practical and measurable outcomes,” Dr Mobereola said.
Dr Mobereola also expressed appreciation to the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Nigerian Navy for their continued support and commitment to the renewal of the partnership.
In his remarks, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, described the signing as a milestone in the enduring relationship between the Nigerian Navy and NIMASA.
He noted that the renewed MoU contained important additions aimed at strengthening the response to the evolving nature of maritime security challenges.
One of the key provisions, he said, is the integration of the Deep Blue Project into the collaborative framework, providing a stronger basis for cooperation between the Nigerian Navy’s Maritime Guard Command and the project.
He also highlighted the introduction of a joint reporting protocol for communication and information sharing during operations, which he said would facilitate timely decision-making and a more coordinated response to maritime incidents.
Vice Admiral Abbas further welcomed provisions for greater institutional engagement, including an annual conference to enhance collaboration, review progress and address emerging challenges.
“Whether we like it or not, the water is where we get whatever we are getting—our revenue, everything and even the trade we engage in, in large percentages, is done through the water. So this institution has to be very strong,” he said.
The renewed MoU is expected to deepen operational cooperation between NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy, particularly in maritime security, information sharing, coordinated responses to maritime incidents, enforcement of applicable maritime laws amongst others.
The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to advancing regional maritime integration, cooperation and capacity development across Africa.
Mobereola made this known when he received the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Liberia in Lagos, Dapo Akinosun, at the Agency’s headquarters in Lagos.
The NIMASA DG described the meeting as a reflection of the longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between Nigeria and Liberia, particularly within the maritime sector.
According to him, stronger collaboration among African nations remains critical to unlocking the continent’s maritime potential, strengthening the Blue Economy, and promoting sustainable regional growth of the continent.
On the significance of maritime cooperation, Mobereola said: “The time has come for African nations to upscale maritime collaboration. The partnership between Nigeria and Liberia will help us build capacity, strengthen regional cooperation, and create opportunities for African youths within the global maritime industry.
“We must collectively build maritime capacity beyond borders. Sea-time training and practical exposure will position Nigerian and African youths to compete effectively in the international maritime space.”
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He also appreciated the Liberian Government for supporting Nigeria’s successful bid for the Category C seat of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), noting that both countries have sustained productive maritime relations over the years.
In his address, Akinosun stated that the visit was aimed at reinforcing the enduring relationship between Nigeria and Liberia while promoting stronger maritime cooperation between both countries.
The Envoy described the maritime sector as a key driver of economic growth, regional integration, and Blue Economy development, while commending the management of NIMASA for efforts towards repositioning Nigeria’s maritime industry for sustainable growth and investment.
“Nigeria has demonstrated genuine commitment to maritime partnership and regional growth. Liberia looks forward to deeper collaboration with NIMASA in maritime administration, safety, capacity development, and trade promotion for the advancement of Africa’s Blue Economy,” Akinosun said.
Modupe Asudo
Sahara Group, a leading global energy and infrastructure conglomerate, has commissioned MT Asharami Ghana, a 40,000‑cubic‑metre Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier, expanding its fleet capacity, while strengthening Ghana’s clean energy supply chain and LPG distribution network.
The dual‑fuel vessel improves operational efficiency, enhances supply reliability, and supports lower‑emission LPG logistics as consumption grows across Ghana and the wider sub‑region.
Ghanaian President Mahama and Sahara Executive Directors
Speaking at the commissioning in Ulsan, South Korea, President John Dramani Mahama described the vessel as “a significant milestone in strengthening the infrastructure that underpins the global LPG supply chain,” noting that expanded shipping capacity is critical to improving supply security, reliability and efficiency for countries that rely partly on LPG imports.
He commended Sahara Group, WAGL Energy and all partners involved for their “leadership, technical expertise and strategic foresight,” adding that the project reflects “the power of partnership” in advancing safe, efficient, and responsible energy distribution.
President Mahama wished the MT Asharami Ghana safe sails, expressing confidence that the vessel would inspire further investment and collaboration across Africa’s energy value chain.
According to Wale Ajibade, Executive Director, Sahara Group, the vessel supports Ghana’s clean energy ambitions through integrated infrastructure.
“MT Asharami Ghana is more than a vessel; it is part of a deliberate strategy to strengthen LPG supply security and support Ghana’s clean energy ambitions. It secures an additional 25,000-Metric-tonne stock security for the Ghana economy, alongside the soon to be commissioned 6000-metric-tonee of 12.000-metric-tonne land storage in Tema,” he said.
With the addition of Asharami Ghana, Sahara Group’s LPG carrier fleet now comprises six delivered vessels with a combined capacity of 202,000 cubic metres. Supported by partnerships with WAGL Energy, NNPC Limited and other stakeholders, an additional 270,000 cubic metres of capacity is under construction and due for delivery by September 2028.
Temitope Shonubi, Executive Director, Sahara Group, said Asharami Ghana is part of Sahara’s integrated LPG infrastructure strategy spanning shipping, storage, and downstream distribution globally, including the development of a 12,000‑metric‑tonne land‑based LPG storage terminal in Tema, with a 6,000‑metric‑tonne first phase scheduled for completion in May 2026.
He thanked Yaa Serwaa Alifo, MD of Asharami Ghana, for her resilience and insistence to dedicate a ship of “this magnitude solely to the Ghana Market and its landlocked neighbours.”
Ghana is targeting LPG adoption of 50 per cent of households by 2030, up from about 30 per cent today. Sahara’s investments will support clean energy access for more than 35 million people, while strengthening Ghana’s role in regional LPG trade to neighbouring and landlocked West African markets.
The commissioning comes in Sahara Group’s 30th anniversary year, guided by the Sahara Beyond XXX milestone, underscoring Sahara’s focus on building an enduring enterprise that delivers responsible growth, shared prosperity and long‑term impact across its markets.
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