From a maritime point of view, Africa is enjoying a place in the sun. Not only is it hosting the annual International Union of Marine Insurance event for the first time in the organisation's 144-year history, but the continent of my birth is currently commanding the attention of some of shipping's giants. Last month, AP Møller Capital confirmed that it had received a total commitment of USD982 million from leading investors for its Africa Infrastructure Fund. A milestone, according the fund's chief executive officer, Kim Fejfer, which means it can focus on maturing the construction and acquisition opportunities in Africa that it has developed in the 12 months since its launch. And the Danish giant is not alone in wantingto "support sustainable economic growth and prosperity on the continent, and at the same time deliver attractive returns to the investors". Many others are looking to benefit through investing in African infrastructure and services. In July, DP World unveiled plans to establish a hub in Mali, Hapag-Lloyd has recently beefed up its East Africa links, and Mediterranean Shipping Company launched a deepsea West Africa ro-ro service, with all of the companies building on their existing African footholds. They are not the only ones that have been committed to the continent for some time. CMA CGM, Grimaldi, Bollore, and Hutchison, to name a few, also have been active there for decades.
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