ESLSE to Take Charge of Nine Vessels this Year

The Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Enterprise is expecting to receive nine sea going vessels it had ordered with Chinese companies by the end of the current financial year. The enterprise is to acquire the vessels at a total cost of four billion birr, it was said.

The vessels are expected to enhance the ESLSE’s freight capacity significantly noted Ahmed Tussa, Chief Executive of the Enterprise.

It is to be remembered that there is currently a study underway to evaluate the possibility of outsourcing the management of the ESLSE to a foreign firm and Bolloré could be considered by the government should it be decided that this course of action is the most viable option according to Diriba Kuma, State Minister for transport.

International firms are showing interest in the possibility of a contract to take over the management of the Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise according to sources.

Dubai based, DP World, is said to be one of the companies who have expressed interest in running the Ethiopian enterprise. French logistics company Bolloré Africa Logistics is also known to have held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Diriba Kuma, State Minister for transport last week.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency