Abstract EN:

The West of the Indian Ocean, which stretches from Djibouti in the North and from Port Elizabeth (RSA) in the South, is witnessing tight competition between armaments and ports in order to control maritime traffic and port activity. This area has been marked historically namely by the French Companies of Messageries Maritimes, and the National Company Havraise Péninsulaire (NCHP). Today, Asian Armaments such as Evergreen, Cosco, Mol, etc. , as well as European ones such as Maersk, Msc, Cgm-Cma, etc. , cross as each attempts to make his move on the scene of maritime business. This area is also characterized by a considerable number of South African ports namely Durban – which is the most powerful in Africa – and the new deep-water port, COGEA (Ngqura) due to be operational by the end of 2007, as well as the ports of Mombasa (Kenya), Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania), and Djibouti – whose terminal has been conceded to Dubai Port World – DPW. Yet these ports are going through some difficulties – namely the congestion of terminals or the weakness of port infrastructures. This is why such ports as Mascarene, Port Louis, Reunion Port, and the port of Toamasina in Madagascar may well be a credible alternative and somehow seduce armaments that seek better productivity. However, in order to be attractive these ports need to suggest other activities that will add up to the traditional port services – i. E. Services related to ships and to merchandise. In fact, these three ports ought to set up a port pole that would have such activities as fishing, cruising, ship repair, and the creation of waterfronts.