Multimodal Transport Operations in international cargo movement: Implications for transport policies and development in tropical Africa

The system of Multimodal Transport Operations (MTO) is aimed at facilitating international movement of traffic on a door-to-door basis. Such a system involves the integration of the marine, port and inland transport sectors of trading partners. The existing transportation systems in tropical Africa do not meet the standards required for such operations. This paper examines the deficiencies in the transport systems and analyses the implications of introducing the MTO system on transport policies, investment, insurance matters and port consolidation in tropical Africa.