The African Continental Free Trade Agreement, AFCFTA will fail if African ship owners are not empowered to acquire vessels that will be involved in the affreightment of cargoes within the Continent, according to SHIP Owners Association of Nigeria, SOAN.

Speaking at the AFCFTA Implementation Engagement Series, held via zoom, President of SOAN, Dr. Mcgeorge Onyung said: ‘‘This initiative of galvanizing ideas and actions are commendable and the topic on infrastructure and trade facilitation is also in line with the yearnings of businesses in the Continent.

‘‘A lot of issues are coming up, without ships, there is no trade. Those that do not wear boots do not play international football. We have to get the ships first before we get into international trade.’’

Also, a former President of the Indigenous Ship Owners Association of Nigeria, ISAN, Mr. Isaac Jolapamo, said: ‘‘We need to carry out more studies in terms of cargo availability and the type of vessels needed for this trade corridor.’’