Green shipping rules tighten: AfDB guides Africa’s port reforms

Africa’s ports and shipping networks are entering a period of major change. The global maritime industry is moving steadily towards lower emissions, driven by new regulations, shifting fuel technologies, and rising pressure from international trade partners. For many African countries, the pace of this transition is challenging, but the consequences of not adapting may be far greater.

A global shift that will reshape shipping
The International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2023 greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy sets a clear target: the shipping industry must reach net-zero emissions around 2050. This global direction is already visible. Green methanol-fuelled vessels are entering service, and major ports in Europe and Asia are preparing for ammonia and other alternative fuels. Equipment such as electric cranes, digital yard systems, and shore-power connections are becoming mainstream in developed maritime hubs.

Africa’s starting point is very different. Many ports still depend on diesel-powered machinery, lack green bunkering infrastructure, and operate with older vessels on regional routes. This creates a gap between global progress and local readiness. However, the shift is unavoidable, especially as green compliance becomes linked to market access.

Africa’s exposure and the need for adaptation

Although Africa contributes relatively little to global maritime emissions, it is highly exposed to climate impacts. Rising sea levels and extreme weather events affect coastal infrastructure, ports, and trade corridors. At the same time, international regulations and market mechanisms, such as Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) are increasing the importance of low-carbon transport for exporters.

CBAM, for instance, will require exporters to account for emissions associated with production and transport. This could raise costs for African goods entering Europe if supply chains do not align with greener standards. Avoiding such penalties depends partly on adopting cleaner port operations, better monitoring systems, and more efficient logistics.

Financing the transition: The central challenge
Shifting to low-carbon maritime operations requires long-term investment in infrastructure, energy systems, and technology. For developing economies, the scale of financing needed is significant.

According to Gareth Phillips, Manager for Climate and Environmental Finance at the African Development Bank, the bank has become a central player in supporting this transition. A practical example is the Port of Cotonou, where AfDB financed climate-resilience measures to address rising sea levels. This allowed Benin to unlock USD 18 million in concessional co-financing from the Canadian AfDB Climate Facility. Without such structured support, securing this level of climate-aligned financing would have been difficult.

Phillips explains that green port projects attract stronger international backing when they demonstrate additional benefits such as community resilience, improved safety, or gender-inclusive development. This approach helps African ports build stronger cases for funding but requires careful planning and technical preparation.

Aligning policies with global standards
Regulation is central to the maritime transition. The IMO’s GHG Strategy, reporting requirements, emissions monitoring, and fuel standards will directly influence port operations and vessel access in the coming years.

James Ng’ang’a, Ports and Maritime Transport Expert at AfDB, says the bank is working closely with African governments to align national maritime policies with these international rules. In Seychelles, the bank is supporting the Seychelles Ports Authority in preparing the Strategic Investment Plan 2025–2030, ensuring that climate resilience and environmental sustainability are included in future port development.

In Namibia, Ng’ang’a notes that AfDB and the Government of South Korea are helping develop a Green Port Policy, Strategy, and Investment Plan. Implementation is expected to begin in 2026, setting a structured pathway for sustainable port operations.

These policy frameworks aim to ensure that African ports stay connected to global shipping standards, protect competitiveness, and reduce long-term operating risks.

Working with strategic partners
Africa’s ports will not transition alone. Collaboration with development banks, port authorities, and global shipping companies is essential. AfDB emphasises the importance of coordinated efforts to reduce knowledge gaps, share best practices, and implement practical solutions.

Ng’ang’a highlights one such example: AfDB’s technical assistance to Transnet in South Africa to design energy-efficiency measures and develop renewable-energy options for port operations. These partnerships allow African ports to improve performance while preparing for low-carbon requirements expected from international carriers.

Why inaction could be costly
The cost of delaying decarbonisation is not limited to environmental risks. Trade competitiveness is also at stake. If African ports fall behind global standards, shipping lines may choose more efficient or greener routes. Exporters may face higher penalties under mechanisms like CBAM. Cargo delays, disruptions, and insurance costs could rise if ports are not equipped to handle climate impacts or meet compliance requirements.

Phillips notes that by adopting cleaner technologies, improving emissions reporting, and integrating climate considerations into port investments, African exporters can avoid unnecessary costs and strengthen access to international markets.

Building the green and blue economy
AfDB is exploring new financing solutions to support long-term maritime sustainability. While the bank does not yet have a dedicated maritime decarbonisation fund, its activities align with broader development priorities such as resilient infrastructure and capital mobilisation under the President’s “Four Cardinal Points”.

Phillips points to emerging tools such as the Adaptation Benefits Mechanism, which aims to channel solidarity levies from high-emitting industries into climate resilience projects. Such tools could support ports in building infrastructure that withstands sea-level rise, extreme weather, and other climate-related risks.

Across the continent, interest in blue economy strategies is growing. These programmes integrate maritime transport, coastal tourism, fisheries, and renewable marine energy into national development plans. Over time, such strategies could support a wider transition to greener and more sustainable ocean economies.

Preparing for a new maritime era

The global shift towards low-carbon shipping is accelerating. For Africa, the transition is complex but necessary. While the continent did not drive the rise in maritime emissions, its ports and exporters must adapt to remain competitive in a world where sustainability standards influence trade decisions.

Decarbonisation is no longer optional; it is now linked to market access, cost efficiency, and long-term resilience. The question ahead is not whether the transformation will happen, but how fast African ports can prepare, and how effectively they can mobilise the needed support.

The coming years will determine whether African maritime gateways are ready to operate in a global shipping environment shaped by new fuels, new technologies, and new expectations.