Shipping needs a firm basis for growth

• Published date: 15 March 2023
• Publication title: Cape Times, The (Cape Town, South Africa)

If she wishes to succeed where others have failed dismally to revitalise the sadly ailing maritime sector, several ideas come to mind, most of which I aired before this year’s State of the Nation Address when a Cabinet reshuffle was anticipated. These suggestions are more valid now as the new minister will want to succeed, unlike all her predecessors who could not grasp the essence of the global nature of the shipping industry. Instead, they did nothing, spouting platitudes to unimpressed audiences, miffed at being kept waiting by these habitually late ministers. Most bumbled along, cluelessly, trying to sail in the wake of others but making no headway

With no dynamic and visionary leadership, the shipping industry has become becalmed by governmental ineptitude. The delays in awarding the standby salvage tug contract or the appointment of Samsa’s (the SA Maritime Safety Authority) permanent CEO are examples of such neglect.

Next to electricity generation, shipping is South Africa’s most important industry. Our minerals, processed minerals, agricultural produce, completed vehicles and more are exported while vital supplies such as grain, fuel and household commodities and equipment arrive by sea. Add to that the foreign exchange earnings of the ship repair industry and other ancillary services. It is mega-business that needs to be expanded greatly to increase its earnings.

Besides the industry itself being a massive employer of skilled and unskilled workers, upstream and downstream ancillary services also provide an array of jobs that directly and indirectly depend on shipping for their existence.

A successful shipping sector translates into thousands of current jobs being secure, but an expanded sector will allow even more employment.

To set the legislative background for shipping to thrive, the minister should listen carefully to those with years of experience in the maritime world, those grysbaarde who have experienced tough and lean times in the industry, who have also enjoyed its halcyon days and who can provide the recipe for success in this vital industry.

She should ditch the ill-conceived plans for a state-owned shipping company, a notion advocated by some looking for a quick buck. There are no quick bucks in this game as success follows only a long, hard slog that requires experience, in-depth knowledge of shipping and trade patterns, and that has developed a wide international network.

Thus major priorities for Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga are to...