The Maritime Business Chamber has called on the government to establish a special ministry to handle maritime affairs and shipping.
The chamber says that despite the country’s rich maritime history and strategic location, SA is failing to maximise its potential. As the seventh administration begins, the organisation wants it to reset the country’s maritime agenda.
The organisation said the maritime industry had made strides in post-apartheid SA, but there were several missed opportunities.
The industry is still facing challenges after the dissolution of Safmarine in 1999, a once-prominent shipping company, and the more recent issues with the Algoa Bay bunkering operations.
These operations were halted after the SA Revenue Service detained bunker barges, leaving the local industry in disarray and pushing business to other countries. Safmarine was acquired by Danish international shipping company Maersk Line.
“Till today, SA is yet to fully operationalise efforts to promote [the country’s] maritime interest”, the chamber said.
It acknowledged several legislative efforts aimed at promoting maritime safety and efficiency, such as the SA Maritime Safety Authority Bill and the National Ports Act of 2005.
Despite these initiatives, the chamber argued that implementation had been slow and fragmented, hindering the full realisation of SA’s maritime potential.
“New bills, policies and legislations have been signed into law, but are all yet to be fully tested as we have seen 2014 Operation Phakisa becoming just a hype ‘theme’ with no concrete updates on the status report and has failed to achieve its desired outcomes with no real political champion driving the development of the programme and yet there is no clear direction even to the oceans economy master plan that was intended to roll out and drive the oceans economy,” it said.
The Maritime Business Chamber believes that SA’s maritime industry encompasses diverse opportunities across maritime transport, fishing, and offshore oil and gas exploration
“The Maritime Business Chamber believes SA possesses quite a number of correct policy frameworks for it to be well positioned as a prominent voice and remain the trade route of choice as it had previously commanded great leadership in the African continent.”
Fishing struggles
The organisation also addressed the struggles of the fishing industry, particularly the challenges faced by small-scale fishers in accessing rights and resources. The organisation criticised the long-term allocation of fishing rights to established companies, stating that it marginalised beginners and indigenous fishing communities.
Another area of concern is the untapped potential of offshore oil and gas resources. The chamber said it saw big economic opportunities in this sector, including job creation, investment attraction and enhanced energy security.
It commended recent legislative efforts, such as the Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill, which aims to ensure equitable participation and benefit-sharing in the industry.
The chamber acknowledged several positive developments, including the establishment of the SA International Maritime Institute and various seafarer development programmes. However, it argued that these initiatives were insufficient without a dedicated governmental focus on maritime affairs.
“The Maritime Business Chamber believes that SA’s maritime industry encompasses diverse opportunities across maritime transport, fishing, and offshore oil and gas exploration. To realise its full potential, we call for the establishment of a dedicated ministry for maritime affairs and shipping.”
The chamber said that a focused ministry could address gaps in the system, streamline operations, and enhance SA’s competitiveness as a global maritime hub.
It argued that such a ministry was crucial for aligning with Africa’s integrated maritime strategy towards 2050, which aimeds to foster economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development across the continent.
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