African Entrepreneurship Records - #536 - Chapter 534: Battle for Western Indian Ocean Ports

Chapter 534 The Battle for Western Indian Ocean Ports

“Starting from February this year, ships from the UK and other countries on the East African route are recommended to dock at the Port of Natal or Maputo as much as possible. The government has cooperated with 11 large shipping companies in the world to respond to possible regional conflicts and ensure that the UK and other countries Citizens’ property is safe.”

“The British Madim Construction Company plans to invest 120,000 pounds in the first phase of Maputo Port to improve the service level and port docking capacity of Maputo Port for passing ships. Maputo is expected to become an emerging port with first-class construction level in Africa. To replace Dar es Salaam and Mombasa in the region and build the best world-class seaport in ‘East Africa’.”

 At the end of 1879, Britain had shifted its attention to Afghanistan, but it did not forget to dig a hole in East Africa. It could not rely on it militarily, so it naturally wanted to make up for it economically.

It can be said without a doubt that the remaining 70% of the value of the eastern route in Dongzhou, excluding the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, is monopolized by two ports in Dar es Salaam and Mombasa, and the latest new Hamburg port is also being planned. The model of two open ports, and the infrastructure of the New Hamburg Port are already comparable to those of Maputo and Natal, and have a tendency to surpass them.

Originally, Britain wanted to recruit the French because the French colony of Madagascar also had considerable influence in the Mozambique Strait.

 But the French were not fooled. There is no direct conflict of interest between East Africa and France. As long as East Africa does not have thoughts about Madagascar, then everyone has a basis for cooperation.

France has a record of aiding the United States and resisting the British, so it is good that the French did not provide support to East Africa. Of course, France cannot have a good relationship with East Africa. For one reason, East Africa is a German country, and Germany is France’s biggest enemy. , and the relationship between East Africa and Germany is a major obstacle to East-French relations.

Of course, in the final analysis, it is still a matter of interest. France cannot gain anything in East Africa. Even if it acts as a thug for the British, in the end, the benefits will fall into the hands of the British. With this energy, it is better to build West Africa into France’s own “East Africa”. East Africa The emergence of France set a template for France, which is the West African version of France.

“There is a direct competitive relationship between the New Hamburg Port and Maputo and Natal. Therefore, in response to the British plan, we should focus on developing the geographical advantages of the New Hamburg Port and build it into an excellent port in southern Africa. , dividing the advantages of Maputo and Natal.”

 Investment in colonies is actually a burden for many metropolitan countries, especially Maputo and Natal, two potentially loss-making projects.

There is no such concern in building the New Hamburg Port in East Africa. After all, the South African region can take advantage of the New Hamburg Port to drive the development of East Africa in all aspects of the region, including population, industry, woolen textile industry, and mining industry.

 After all, this is East Africa and will be developed sooner or later, so it doesn’t matter if you suffer losses in the early stage. In the end, the benefits to East Africa will always outweigh the disadvantages.

“Although the British have said that they want to develop Maputo and Natal to differentiate the economic value of our East African ports, judging from the actual actions of the British, their main goal is to focus on supporting Maputo.”

“Maputo should have the highest ceiling among South African ports. Its scale and natural conditions are superior to other ports, so this is why the UK supports Maputo.”

“Another reason is that if the UK invests in Maputo, then Portugal, the sovereign state of Mozambique, will definitely follow up and invest, and can share part of the funds for building the port. Now the UK is focusing on Afghanistan, and other parts of the world also have to spend money, so and Portugal’s joint development of Maputo Port is the most cost-effective solution.”

“The British plan can indeed have a certain impact on our economy, but port construction takes time. Maputo and Natal cannot pose a threat to East African ports in a short period of time.”

“We are confident that the dominant positions of Dar es Salaam and Mombasa ports cannot be replaced by other ports.”

The economic hinterland of the ports of Dar es Salaam and Mombasa is quite vast. Even the economic hinterland of the new Port of Hamburg can reach the hinterland of the original Transvaal Republic. Therefore, after Maputo and Natal are completed, they will not be able to surpass East Africa. The main functions of the two ports of Maputo and Natal are to provide services to passing ships, but some ships are destined for Africa and require African resources and commodities. Maputo and Natal cannot compare with this. .

For example, animal leather, ivory, mineral resources, etc., East Africa has a large area and is easier to obtain. The cost is much lower than that of Britain and Portugal, and the East African railway system can transport these resources from the inland to the port areas of East Africa. .

This is the basis for East African ports to compete with foreign ports such as Maputo, and the construction level of East African ports such as Dar es Salaam and Mombasa is ten years ahead of Maputo and Natal. Without high investment, Maputo There is no chance that Puto will replace Dar es Salaam and Mombasa.

Another point is historical reasons. Dar es Salaam and Mombasa are evergreen trees on the western Indian Ocean route. They have been important port cities in Africa since ancient times. Only Mogadishu can compare with this, but Mogadishu The sandy environment is restricted by the desert, so its development is far inferior to that of Dar es Salaam and Mombasa.

Many ships and sailors who have been traveling in the Western Indian Ocean route all year round are undoubtedly more familiar with Dar es Salaam and Mombasa. Although the development of Dar es Salaam and Mombasa has been rapid in recent years, it can be said that earth-shaking changes have taken place from more than ten years ago. Changes, but this change is benign for passing ships. The service level has been improved, the port’s hardware facilities have been improved, and the types of goods are more complete and the volume is larger.

“We cannot allow the UK and Portugal to do such things that are harmful to others and not beneficial to themselves. Since they want to confront us, we should also express our opinions. In the north, we have Mogadishu, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. Lamu, there is the New Hamburg Port in the south, and the Soko Port in the middle can also be opened to foreign ships. Now the railway from Soko to Lake Malawi has been completed, so it can take on some functions.” Ernst finally made the decision. .

Dar es Salaam and Mombasa have been operating as open ports for more than ten years and have accumulated rich experience. Therefore, the models of these two ports can also be applied to other ports in East Africa.

East Africa will be open in the future, and the establishment of two new ports, New Hamburg Port and Soko Port, is in line with this trend.

The meal must be eaten one bite at a time, the road must be walked step by step, and the rhythm must be grasped. The initiative from isolation to openness must also be in East Africa’s own hands.

Rather than being forcibly knocked on the country’s door by Britain and other powers, in fact, if East Africa had not closed itself off, Britain would not have had such a big reaction to East Africa.

 In fact, the United States and Germany followed similar paths to those in East Africa at the same time. The two countries were not free markets, but had high tariff barriers to deal with countries such as Britain and France.

However, the United States and Germany have already risen up, and the United Kingdom cannot suppress them, so it can only pinch the “soft persimmon” of East Africa first.

The real weak persimmons are actually countries like Brazil. If they open their doors to the outside world, East Africa will become a place where demons are raging like Brazil, and there is a risk of being controlled by foreign capital.

Under East Africa’s closed policy, East Africa’s various policies can advance steadily without interference from foreign forces. Under this protection, it may indeed be difficult to compete with foreign countries when East Africa opens up in the future, but it will not lead to sudden death, and as long as it does not With sudden death, East Africa has the possibility of becoming a world power.

 (End of this chapter)