Maritime Monthly News Roundup - August 2019 by More Maximum Media

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA

NEWS ROUND-UP AUGUST 2019

PORTS

Roadshow aims to align port with maritime industry SOUTH AFRICA: The Ports Regulator of South Africa’s (PRSA) national roadshow came to an end in Cape Town after engagements in Durban, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. Industry stakeholders and port users used the opportunity to address issues of concern. Having embarked on a long-term port tariff strategy in 2015, PRSA aims to reform port infrastructure pricing over a ten-year period to bring greater fairness, cost reflectiveness and predictability to the South African port system. Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) submitted its tariff application to PRSA at the beginning of the month for the 2020/21 financial year and, following the public hearings, port users now have until the 16 September to submit written comments and the Ports Regulator will issue a record of decision at a press conference at the end of November this year. The application before PRSA shows a request for an average increase in tariffs of 4.8 percent for the 2020/21, with an 18.22 percent increase and an 8.5 percent increase for 2021/22 and 2022/23 respectively. The average of 4.8 percent indicated for the next financial year has been determined based on the following

breakdown of tariff increases: Tariff increase of 9.7% on Marine charges (shipping lines); An average of 2.85% increase in Cargo Dues differentiated as follows: 5% on Liquid Bulk and break bulk cargoes; 1.5% on Containers; 1.5% on Automotives; Dry Bulk Cargoes are differentiated as follows: Coal to increase by 7.4%; Ores and Minerals: Magnetite to increase by 7.4%; and Other Dry bulk to increase by 5.%. The Authority’s tariff application is based on the determined required revenue of R13,145m for FY 2020/21 comprising of Marine Business revenue of R9,597m and Real Estate Business revenue of R3,548m. TNPA challenged for action Admitting to “operational challenges,” Acting Chief Executive of TNPA, Nozipho Mdawe, assured delegates at the roadshow that the Authority was aware of the impact and that a “War Room” had been established to deal with these issues.

“We must hold the port system accountable,” she said adding that they were committed to working with the Ports Regulator as well as exercising an oversight role over Transnet Port Terminals. Her team provided additional input on what the Authority intends doing to solve challenges and improve the situation for port users. Feedback from the floor and the Regulator, however, indicates that stakeholders are tired of hearing what will be done, and need to know what has been done and what has been achieved. “All I hear is ‘we will, we intend to, we plan to.’ We need to see more implementation,” said Chris Lotter of PRSA. “We cannot afford not to see actual progress,” he added. Making a strong case for the role of the Port Consultative Committees, Selma Schwartz noted that workshop dates had been set to analyse the tariff application as well as all of the issues raised during the PRSA roadshow in order to make a detailed submission on behalf of port users by the deadline date. Corporatisation of TNPA Following renewed calls from both the Department of Transport as well as the Department of Public Enterprises to follow-through on the provisions of the National Ports Act that seeks to separate the Authority from Transnet, it was not surprising to see the topic up for discussion at the roadshow. Section 3(2) of the Act calls for the incorporation of the National Ports Authority and the Act further stipulates that Transnet will become the sole member and shareholder. According to recent statements by the relevant Ministers, the process to affect this change is underway. Lotter called for Transnet and the Department of Transport to take the issue seriously and noted that some concessions were in place within the tariff application. “TNPA generates significant revenue so when corporatisation happens this must be reinvested within the ports and not redirected towards locomotives and so forth,” he added.

FISHING

Minister makes sweeping announcements to fishing industry SOUTH AFRICA: The incoming Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, has published a number of announcements in a Government Gazette that include the review of the dates associated with the forthcoming issuing of fishing rights as well as the abolishment of the Fisheries Transformation Council. According to the Government Gazette, Creecy has withdrawn previously gazetted dates associated with the commencement of the next fishing rights allocation process (FRAP) as well as the proposal to review the application form for the allocation of fishing rights. The notice will affect the allocation and management of fishing rights in the hake deepsea trawl, small pelagics, South Coast Rock Lobster, hake longline, squid, demersal shark, traditional linefish, Kwazulu Natal prawn trawl, tuna pole line, hake handline, oyster and white mussel sectors. The notice, undersigned by the Minister states further; “Information concerning the fisheries affected by this notice, including the next fishing rights allocation process, will be communicated to the fishing industry in due course.” In addition, the Fisheries Transformation Council has been abolished with immediate effect and the Minister has reissued a call for nominations for the appointment of the Consultative Advisory Forum. The Forum is tasked to advise the Minister on the management and development of the fishing industry, legislation issues, management procedures, research and the allocation of money from the Marine Living Resources Fund.

Lotter further urged port stakeholders to assist the current process by making detailed and considered submissions by the deadline date of 16 September.

SHIPPING

Industry brings depth of knowledge to bunker questions at IBIA conference

Three operators currently operate in Algoa Bay while the government considers its position to open up further locations to the opportunity. Interestingly Ntuli’s keynote address seemed to suggest that the recent incident in the Bay that resulted in a minor spill may have tempered the government’s appetite to pursue this more rigorously. “The recent incident is viewed in a serious light and will help decide the future of these operations,” he said. He further described bunker barge operations within the ports of Durban and Cape Town as “critical components” of port services adding that; “it is true that there has been growth in offshore bunker activities offshore Port Elizabeth, but they (offshore bunkering opportunities) will not be allowed to grow at the expense of in-port bunkering services”.

SOUTH AFRICA: Members of the bunker industry from around Africa met in Cape Town this month at the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) conference to interrogate some of the issues currently facing the sector including concerns that still persist with regard to the looming sulphur cap that comes into effect on 1 January as part of MARPOL Annex VI. Describing the new regime as “the most disruptive global regulatory change we have ever witnessed,” Unni Einemo, Director IBIA, welcomed delegates to the two-day event as she emphasised the need for continued cohesion and understanding within the sector. South African government weighs in on Annex VI In a follow-up to the South African Maritime Safety Authority’s (SAMSA) workshop held the previous week, government representatives from both the Department of Transport (DoT) as well as SAMSA reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the legislation would be in place ahead of the deadline. “South Africa is a signatory to MARPOL. The question is; are we going to be ready? And the response is that when the clock ticks for 1 January, ships entering our waters will know very well that they are entering waters of an Annex VI country and they will be expected to fully comply with the resolution. There is no two ways about it,” emphasised Dumisani Ntuli (pictured left), Acting Deputy Director General: Maritime Transport within the DoT. “South Africa will be ready and willing to discharge its obligations,” he told delegates at the outset of the conference. Weighing in on the discussions,

Captain Saroor Ali, Acting Deputy Chief Operations Officer for SAMSA said that the absence of promulgated legislation would not mean that the Authority was not in a position to enforce compliance. “There are various means that SAMSA can use,” he noted suggesting that the existence of a number of MOU’s could be used.

within its waters also carried over from the previous week’s conversation at the SAMSA workshop. Again, no definitive answer was provided, but it became clear that both the economic as well as environmental implications need to be considered ahead of the deadline.

Jones suggests that the advent of ship-to-ship operations offshore have impacted on bunker-only calls in South African ports. He called on stakeholders to be more mindful of the external benefits for ports and marine services of developing the bunkering market.

Rejuvenating the South African bunkering market

Highlighting that close to 30,000 vessels pass the Cape every year, Brian Ingpen, however, suggested that opportunities to increase offshore bunkering locations should be more urgently pursued.

Quoting a UNICAL report from 2007, David Sineke noted “South Africa has very little opposition in bunker supply on a cost basis from its neighbours. South Africa is in fact the cheapest supplier of bunker fuel in the Southern Hemisphere, but somehow we lost the plot between 1996 and 2004.”

He cited anchorage points at Port of Mossel Bay as well as the Port of Saldanha as potential development opportunities for offshore bunkering operations. Perhaps more controversially, he also suggested that False Bay offers vast anchorage for another ship-to-ship bunkering location.

He also assured delegates that SAMSA staff are fully conversant with developments on how to implement Annex VI and that a number of workshops had been held to deal effectively with the requirements for Port State Control officers.

Citing the same source, Sineke highlighted a steady rise in bunker sales from 1991 that appears to peak in 1997. The number of bunker-only callers dropped from 991 in 1996 to 601 in 2004; representing a massive decrease of 40 percent.

Also up for discussion was whether South African ports are ready to play their role in a post Annex VI environment. “The other work that must still be undertaken and clarified relates to enforcement infrastructure in ports and this includes testing and as well as reception facilities of various types including de-bunkering in extreme case where it was found that a ship carried uncompliant fuels.

Adding weight to this conversation, Professor Trevor Jones noted statistics that show bunker-only calls experienced another peak in 2009/2010 with 1,153 calls in the Port of Durban, but once again plummeted to 612 in 2016/2017.

Ingpen further noted a potential to establish bunker berths within the Port of Cape Town. “There are berths sitting empty on a daily basis. We should consider the huge potential that this offers to develop bunker berths and to entice bunker callers,” he said emphasising the need for ports to act as catalysts of growth for the country.

When prompted for more information, Ali explained further that, while it would not be possible to detain or penalise the vessel, it would be possible to stop a vessel from sailing in order to rectify IMO MOU provisions. “You would not be penalising the vessel, but would be rectifying the situation which is the first choice,” he said.

Sineke noted concerted efforts to boost the bunker sector in Mauritius and highlighted that similar initiatives were not being pursued within the South African context to the detriment of the industry and its ability to regain lost ground.

“There is also a need for ports to provide sampling facilities in ports especially for sulphur verification processes. The long term view for us therefore means we need to prepare for proper and longer-term compliance into the future,” said Ntuli.

While statistics prove that the South African bunkering market has declined for a variety of reasons over the last decade, the advent of offshore bunkering opportunities within Algoa Bay stands out as an exception on the local bunkering landscape.

The debate around the country’s position on the use of scrubbers

2 AUGUST 2019

During a question and answer session, one delegate specifically asked acting CEO of SAMSA, Sobantu Tilyai, to comment on the future of offshore bunkering operations within South Africa. “We will communicate it (future opportunities) when we have a plan,” responded Tilayi who asked the industry to give SAMSA time to study the risks before opening up other locations for offshore bunkering. With a keen interest to see the reversal in this decline within the bunker sector, Jon Hughes said that while initiatives such as offshore bunkering was serving to drive volume to the region, the slow pace of development at the Island View precinct in the Port of Durban was

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA “creating uncertainty where we need certainty”. Availability and compatibility of low sulphur fuel in Africa According to a number of presentations, the consensus is that Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) will be available within the South African and African bunker fuel market from various sources. While refiners are confident that they can supply, there is also an appetite to import compliant fuel to meet demands where necessary.

“There is certainly a commercial case to be made for Africa to supply 0.5 percent sulphur fuel,” said Vuyelwa Sharon Rassie of FFS Refiners who believes that plans appear to be in place to ensure that the fuel will be available to the market.

in Algoa Bay noted some of the recent announcements from suppliers in the marketplace that indicate VLSFO will be available in a number of African ports by the time the deadline arrives. The issue of compatibility and standardisation of low sulphur fuel is certainly not a topic that is unique to African bunker markets, and has been an area of concern for international shipowners who are not yet satisfied that fuel supplied from one region or supplier to another will be compatible.

“Transition may be bumpy, before equilibrium will be reached. This change is necessary to ensure sustainable growth for future generations,” she said. Siyamthanda Maya, Managing Director of South African Marine Fuels, one of the offshore operators

It’s a question that the refiners and suppliers will have to answer more substantially in the few months that remain before 1 January. A future for LNG bunkering in Africa? While not a dominant theme at this year’s conference, the topic of LNG bunkering was raised and Paul Eardley-Taylor, Oil & Gas advisor for Standard Bank, mused on where the first African LNG bunkering markets are likely to be situated given the recent gas finds within the African space. Displaying a world map indicating the LNG Bunkering market, it is clear that none of the planned or current LNG bunkering operations are situated in Africa.

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During a question and answer session, Tilyai challenged the South African market to respond. “We believe we need to stay ahead of this game, so we need to extend the challenge. There is an opportunity in the LNG space. Now is the time to talk to us,” he told delegates. Looking beyond 2020 Unsurprisingly most bunker industry conferences and workshops tend to focus on the 1 January milestone of adopting a state of readiness to implement, enforce and comply with the provisions of Annex VI. But the industry cannot afford to get stuck on this date. Speaking during the last session of the conference, Einemo warned that the next big challenge would centre around reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions in the shipping industry. This will have further impacts on ship design, operation and ultimately could stem the growth in bunker demand.

187 8x1

She notes that the IMO is already well progressed in formulating a response for the shipping industry and that a revised IMO GHG strategy is likely to be adopted by 2023. 166

MARINE & OFFSHORE

He, however, predicts that Nigeria is likely to lead the way. “I see Nigeria as the launch candidate for LNG bunkering in Africa,” he said adding that LNG bunkering is also an obvious opportunity for Mozambique. His third pick for an LNG bunker site is Angola where ALNG could support the establishment of an LNG bunkering base.

INDUSTRY

OIL SPILL RESPONSE

DEFENCE & FUEL

UTILITY

Contact our local representative in South Africa for more information: Tel: +27 21 527 7040 Fax: +27 21 527 7050 Mobile: +27 82 550 4887 Email: larst@allsurvey.co.za Web: www.allsurvey.co.za

PROVEN TECHNOLOGY www.desmioceanguard.com

3 AUGUST 2019

It is clear that, following the current upheaval in the sector relating to the looming 2020 deadline, the industry can ill afford to sit back and believe that no further disruptions will be on its tail. The need to address climate change will continue to influence the future of shipping – with a number of potential impacts that could range from new fuels, more efficient designs or alternatively a significant decrease in shipping as whole.

VESSELS | CREWING | TRAINING FISHING

Fishing industry reacts to suspension of FRAP 2020

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SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) has welcomed the publication of a Government Gazette which effectively suspends the Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP) that would have culminated in the allocation of long-term rights across 12 commercial fisheries by December 2020. The Government Gazette was published on Friday 2 August 2019 by Barbara Creecy, Minister of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries. “SADSTIA is very encouraged that Minister Barbara Creecy has heard the genuine concerns of the fishing industry around FRAP 2020 and has acted to review the entire process,” said Terence Brown, chairman of SADSTIA.

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SLOVAKIA

“We are committed to working with Minister Creecy and her department to ensure that the process for allocating long-term fishing rights is rigorous and transparent and safeguards the sustainability and competitiveness the fishing industry.” SADSTIA represents the 33 rights holders in the hake deep-sea trawl fishery which is by far South Africa’s most valuable fishery, delivering R6.7 billion to the economy each year and

sustaining approximately 7 300 good jobs with regular wages and employee benefits. The Association believes that a delayed FRAP will allow the Department of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries to conduct a comprehensive socio-economic study of the 12 fisheries that will be impacted by the allocation of rights. Such a study will clarify the impact that allocations policy will have on investment in these fisheries, the jobs they create and sustain, and their global competitiveness. It will also allow the Department to quantify the significant transformation that has taken place in the fishing industry since 2005, when long-term rights were last allocated. SADSTIA has also welcomed the call by Minister Creecy for nominations for individuals to serve on the Consultative Advisory Forum (CAF), a committee that should play an essential role in the management of fisheries in South Africa, but which has not been constituted since 2002. According to the Marine Living Resources Act (1998), the membership of the CAF should be broadly representative and multidisciplinary and it should advise the Minister on, inter alia, the management and development of the fishing industry, fisheries legislation, fisheries research and the allocation of money from the Marine Living Resources Fund. The Minister has called for nominations to the CAF to be made by 30 August 2019.

PORTS COLOMBIA

New container terminal officially opened

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NAMIBIA: There was much fanfare as President Dr Hage Geingob officially opened the newly developed container terminal at the Port of Walvis Bay. The project, which entailed the reclamation of 40 hectares of land from the sea, will effectively boost the port’s capacity to handle containers from 350,000 TEU to more than 750,000 TEU. The development of the container terminal is consistent with the country’s drive to be be viewed as the logistics hub for the Southern Africa Region. “The completion of the container terminal expansion puts us on a firm trajectory towards realising our dream of transforming Namibia into an international logistics hub,” said President Geingob at the inauguration today, noting the port’s trajectory from its humble beginnings as a fishing harbour. PHOTO SOURCE: Namibian Presidency

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA MARINE TOURISM

Case of collusion against ferry operators dismissed SOUTH AFRICA: Two companies that ferry passengers between Robben Island and the V&A Waterfront tourist attractions in Cape Town have been cleared of price fixing and collusive tendering charges by the Competition Tribunal. The case against Ferry Charters (Pty) Ltd and Heritage Charters CC related to a tender issued by the Robben Island Museum for bidders to be listed on its database as preferred service providers for a 12-month period. A Commission investigation,

same price.

launched after the Museum lodged a complaint in June 2016, implicated a total of five companies in tender collusion. The other companies were Thembekile Maritime Services; Silverbuckle Trade 21 CC; and Nauticat Charters (Pty) Ltd.

Silverbuckle increased its price per trip from R7,750 to R8,775 for a 65-passenger vessel while Heritage Charters raised its price per trip from R11,500 to R12,650 for its 65-passenger vessel.

The Commission claimed that the companies had met the previous year, to discuss and agree to increase the prices they would charge when responding to the tender.

In June last year, three of the companies entered into settlement agreements with the Commission. Thembekile agreed to pay a R350,000.00 administrative penalty; Silverbuckle paid R249,171.72; and Nauticat Charters paid a penalty of R422,083.87.

Subsequent to the meeting Thembekile and Nauticat Charters increased their prices to R18,000 per trip for 140 passengers. Ferry Charters did not alter its price as it was already charging R18,000 per trip for 140 passengers and this resulted in all three quoting the

Ferry Charters and Heritage Charters, however, denied the allegations and contended that the Commission had no case against

them. They asked for the matter to be dismissed. Ferry Charters argued that it did not increase its prices as alleged by the Commission simply because it had been charging the same price of R18,000 for the past four years. The price charged by Ferry Charters was generally known in the industry. Heritage Charters’ defence was that prior to the tender it was in negotiations with Robben Island Museum to increase its price by 10%. The price in the tender reflected the very increase that he was seeking at the time and which the Museum had agreed to. The Commission’s only witness was a senior Supply Chain Manager at Robben Island Museum who served as the Secretariat to the Bid Evaluation Committee. The Commission did not call any witnesses from the boat companies that had settled with it and who were allegedly present at the coffee shop meeting, including a witness from Silverbuckle on whose statements the Commission relied to advance its case against both Ferry Charters and Heritage Charters. Ferry Charters led the evidence of its manager and Heritage Charters closed its case without calling any witnesses on the basis that there was no case made out against it. Tribunal findings An excerpt from the Tribunal’s Order states: “The evidence taken as a whole does not allow us to draw the inference suggested by the Commission. The Commission did not call a witness who had direct knowledge of the events that took place at the coffee shop meeting. The pricing evidence led by Ferry Charters and Heritage Charters and confirmed by the Commission’s own witness does not lead to the inference that the respondents had colluded to increase prices for the RIM tender. Ferry Charters had been charging the same price for more than four years and submitted the same price in the tender. Heritage Charters had requested a 10% increase in its prices prior to the tender to which RIM had agreed. This was the price that had been submitted in the tender.”

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The Tribunal adds: “The Commission bears the onus to show that the respondents colluded as alleged at the coffee shop meeting of 22 September 2015 to increase prices for the RIM tender. We find that the Commission has not discharged its onus and has failed to show the existence of an agreement or concerted practice on the part of the respondents in contravention of s4(1)(b)(i) and(iii) of the Act. The matter is accordingly dismissed…”

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5 AUGUST 2019

BRIEFS

A pledge to eradicate stowaways GHANA: The Port Security Manager, Joseph Punamane who was speaking when three Nigerian Stowaways were disembarked in the Port of Tema, after they were discovered on board a Europe-bound vessel, has stated GPHA’s resolve to make sure the Tema Port is not used as a conduit for individuals who want to travel overseas illegally by deploying robust methods of security. The three stowaways revealed that they boarded the vessel separately at the Port of Lagos.

Support to boost maritime security in Kenya KENYA: Proper implementation of IMO’s maritime security measures is essential for trade. Kenya is the latest country to benefit from training on the implementation of SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. A national workshop in Mombasa, Kenya (5-9 August) brought together Port facility security officers (PFSOs) as well as representatives of all structures involved in maritime and port security, including Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Maritime

Supporting a new administration

Authority, Customs, Kenya Coast Guard Service, maritime police, and several other port operators.

SOMALIA: The IMO and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) organised a workshop in Mogadishu, Somalia (25-27 August 2019) to finalise the much-awaited Somalia Shipping Code. The Somalia Shipping Code includes the necessary steps required to accede all key IMO treaties, enabling the country to meet its responsibilities in line with IMO instruments.

The workshop on the ISPS Code for Designated Authority (DA) and Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) was organized by IMO and the Government of Kenya.

South African innovation shortlisted for award SOUTH AFRICA: A floating stretcher designed by a team at the South African National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has been shortlisted for an award in the Innovation and Technology division at the International Maritime Rescue Federation’s annual awards due to take place next month.

36 senior officials from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) have received technical training to continue developing the Shipping Code with the view to establish a National Maritime Administration for Somalia.

The stretcher, which has been designed to safely carry an immobilised patient over rocks and through surf, will go up against remote controlled search and rescue devices from the UK’s Maritime Coastguard Agency.

Marine Spatial Planning requires stakeholder input SOUTH AFRICA: The Draft Approach to Spatial Management System Report for South Africa’s Marine Planning Areas was published in Government Gazette No.42657 on 23 August 2019 for public comment.

The winners of all the Awards will be announced at a presentation ceremony on 10 September, onboard HQS Wellington, during London International Shipping Week. The Awards will be presented by Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence KCVO CB ADC.

The report has been developed in terms of the Marine Spatial Planning Act (Act No.16 of 2018). The draft approach mainly focuses on bringing together key stakeholders

from the public and private sectors as well as civil society organisations to collaborate on addressing national priority areas. South Africa intends to develop marine area plans for four marine areas. These marine area plans will strategically allocate the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives.

New centre will boost maritime awareness NIGERIA: Nigeria’s new Command, Control, Computer Communication and Information Centre was recently commissioned as part of the Deep Blue Project at the NIMASA Maritime Research Development facility in Kirikiri, Lagos. The commencement of operations, on a 24 hour basis, enables tactical and strategic decisions for the operational workflow of all platforms which make up the system to be centralised. The Centre is equipped with alert setting capabilities, Coastal Automatic Identification System (AIS) and SAT AIS signals from all over the world and access to international security network databases with the ability to monitor vessels movement as far back as six years prior.

SOUTH AFRICA: The Deepsea Yantai, a semi-sub rig platform vessel, arrived in Mossel Bay from Singapore this month where it will undergo services and crew change before departing for Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. Built in in the Bahamas in 2019 by Chinese rig builder CIMC Raffles, the Deepsea Yantai, previously called Beacon Atlantic, is managed by Odfjell Group. It has a gross tonnage of 24000 and a summer deadweight of 17670 tonnes. Earlier this year, it was announced by Neptune Energy, that the rig will be used for up to 16 wells offshore Norway as part of the Duva (PL636) and Gjøa P1 (PL153) projects in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea. Port Manager, Shadrack Tshikalange said the Port of Mossel Bay is wellequipped to service the needs of large vessels like the Deepsea Yantai despite being the smallest of TNPA’s commercial ports along the South African coast. “We commend the efforts of all role-players in ensuring the safe arrival of the Deepsea Yantai. TNPA values the opportunity to assist vessels of this nature and size in the future, which will earn us the trust of international organisations,” he said.

Mossel Bay services passing rig 6 AUGUST 2019

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PEOPLE & EVENTS

Ambitious goals drive new maritime cluster SOUTH AFRICA: The Western Cape Maritime Cluster (WCMC) is seeking to become the latest industry body to represent the maritime interests of its members with the aim of promoting business and improving employment opportunities within the ocean economy of the Western Cape. Officially incorporated by the Netherlands Consulate General in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism in May last year, the WCMC has now adopted its constitution and is aiming to gain momentum by attracting members. Inviting stakeholders to a meeting at the Port Control Building in Cape Town recently, the group that has been working to establish the cluster presented their business plan and provided an update on their activities since May last year. As one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Western Cape Maritime Cluster, Benni Bhali, highlighted the current process being spearheaded by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) to develop the South African Maritime Cluster Alliance. “There are a lot of things happening at a national level,” he said adding

that the aim was for the cluster to work closely with other empowerment groups. Welcoming industry stakeholders to the meeting, Cape Town Port Manager, Mpumi Dweba-Kwentana noted that initiatives such as this would help prioritise the ocean economy in the region. “Without the ports, there can be no cluster,” she said adding that it was, however, also important to get the buy-in of the City. The initial work to establish the WCMC has received significant support from the Netherlands and the Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Sebastiaan Messerschmidt emphasised the potential of the cluster to promote collaboration and to help develop business opportunities for its members.

According to Wells, the cluster has a number of goals that include employment development; the promotion of innovation and research; partnership facilitation, and the establishment of incubators amongst others.

The work of the interim steering committee will centre around realising the structures envisaged in the business model. The ultimate aim is to establish an Executive Committee that will consist of a chairperson and deputy chairperson, treasurer and a secretary.

He added that the cluster would aim to address challenges currently faced by the sector including lack of support for small businesses; lack of coordinated skills development; lack of knowledge management as well as a lack of networks to the global community.

They will be joined by nine representatives of the Pillar Steering Committees as well as a representative from Saldanha and Mossel Bay. A further four members may be co-opted or invited to join the Steering Committee bringing the potential total to 19.

“Ultimately, however, our greatest need is communication and collaboration,” he said as he outlined the structure of the organisation that will be run by a steering committee that will aim to represent each “pillar” within the maritime industry.

The Pillar Steering Committees will fit in below this structure each with their own chairperson, deputy chairperson, treasurer, secretary and committee, as well as co-opted members.

Having investigated a number of business models associated with local as well as international maritime clusters, the committee tasked with getting the initiative off the ground has settled on emulating the approach adopted by the Dutch Maritime Cluster.

“If you unite as a group, you will all profit. We are here to listen, partner and help build solutions,” he said adding that if the Netherlands could help get South Africa the expertise it needed, “we will do it”.

Wells further noted that the cluster already had over 100 members, but did not specify who they were or which sectors they represent. Although the objective of the meeting was to elect an interim steering committee to take the cluster forward, nominations and voting were

In an impassioned presentation of the business model, Patrick Wells of STC-SA underlined the need for the WCMC to be self-sufficient and stressed the need for an active membership that could drive the

held over to allow people more time to sign up or express interest.

Finally, it is envisaged that the Regional Steering Committees will represent Saldanha and Mossel Bay. They too will consist of a chairperson, deputy chairperson, treasurer, secretary, committee members and co-opted members. The cluster will need a robust membership from across the spectrum of maritime sectors in the Western Cape in order to achieve some of its ambitious goals including the aim to employ a staff of six from the outset. It offers a number of tiers of membership that range from a free option (bronze status) to a R20,000 per year option (diamond status).

in high demand and there are few of them that have the necessary height, width and length in proximity to the water,” he said. Highlighting some of the challenges faced by the boat building sector he added that, in order to grow the sector, more of these facilities need to become available. “We are facing huge competition from other countries,” he said noting that many of these countries offered subsidies to the sector.

MARINE ENGINEERING

Aluminium boat building facility officially opened SOUTH AFRICA: Veecraft Marine has officially moved in to occupy Workshop 24 in the Port of Cape Town where they will focus solely on the building of aluminium boats. Veecraft Marine celebrated the

Also speaking at the event, Alderman James Vos of the City of Cape Town pledged his team’s support to the sector. “It is our priority to engage with industry stakeholders,” he said, adding that the intended to work the sector to address challenges such as skills development and the tenure of suitable facilities.

occupation of the new workshop facilities this month with guests and representatives from the City of Cape Town who have embraced the idea of positioning Cape Town as the boat building sector of the country.

You can read more about developments at Veecraft Marine in our forthcoming issue of Maritime Review Africa.

Addressing guests, Chairman and Group CEO of Paramount Maritime Holdings, James Fisher emphasised the importance of accessibility to appropriate infrastructure to Veecraft and other boat building companies. “This is absolutely vital to our business. These facilities are

PHOTO: Mayor of Cape Town, Dan Plato, cuts the ribbon on Veecraft’s new aluminium facilities in the port of Cape Town.

8 AUGUST 2019

Landmark appointment in Port of Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA: Recently appointed Marine Technical Officer (MTO) for the Port of Cape Town, Jabulile Shandu is the first women to be appointed into this position and simultaneously holds the record as the longest serving female marine engineering officer. As MTO, she is responsible for providing technical advice to the marine engineering team to support the operation and maintenance of watercraft such as tugs and pilot boats, a role that is critical ahead of the port’s craft replacement strategy which will see it acquiring new workboats in the near future.

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA FISHING

South Africa hosts fishing inspectors at ILO workshop SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is hosted inspectors from Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines at the South East Asia C188 Workshop in Cape Town which wrapped after visiting a number of the major fishing companies and harbours in the region. Opening the Workshop yesterday morning, SAMSA acting CEO Sobantu Tilayi said the gathering was being held in response to a request from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for South Africa to assist with “hosting inspectors from Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines who are interested in seeing a port-state fishing/labour inspection regime in action”.

ABOVE: Ncebe Mfini, Lusanda Fibi, Gino Del Fava, Kgomotso Mogale.

PEOPLE & EVENTS

New federation aims to align country’s maritime interests SOUTH AFRICA: Following a roadshow to introduce itself to maritime stakeholders around the country, the South African Maritime Business Forum (SAMBF) ended its campaign to become the industry’s cohesive voice in the country. With an AGM scheduled to take place in Durban next month, the SAMBF is seeking to align maritime interests across the sectors and be-

Officials from the Thai Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, the Thai Office of Maritime Security Affairs, the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the Indonesian Ministry of Manpower, the Philippines Bureau of Working Conditions and the ILO are attending the workshop which includes visits to the ports of Cape Town, Saldanha and St Helena.

come the one inclusive organisation that accommodates representatives from a wide cross-section of the maritime industry. But, with a ten-point plan that, on the surface, seems to duplicate efforts already being undertaken by a plethora of existing associations, organisations, councils and clusters, the SAMBF may need to tweak their value proposition to industry to avoid creating yet another silo.

hensive Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP) and represent all sectors of the industry. Maritime is the new gold in South Africa and we want to help the industry come together and collaborate,” he added.

“We believe that we can provide a unified voice to the industry,” Ncebe Mfini told delegates explaining that currently the maritime industry has no seat at the table with government.

Answering questions from the floor, Gino Del Fava fervently expressed the need for the industry to “sing from the same hymn sheet”. “There is no coordinated body to drive inclusivity and transformation.

“Our aim is to support the Compre-

We need to be bold where government has failed,” he told guests. The five-hour session will have given the current leadership of the SAMBF some food for thought as they prepare for the AGM at the end of September. It is clear that some reworking of concepts and the business model may be necessary for the fledgling forum in order to meet its objective of becoming a unified voice for the industry.

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9 AUGUST 2019

PORTS

Improving safety of navigation in Africa SOUTH AFRICA: Delegates from Mozambique, Namibia, The Gambia and South Africa completed a Aids to Navigation Manager training course this month in South Africa hosted by Transnet National Ports Authority. The Level 1.1 Aids to Navigation (AtoN) Manager training was developed by IALA, the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities. The three-module course aimed to enable participants to gain an internationally recognised Aids to Navigation Certificate as an AtoN Manager, with competencies including technical functions of visual, radio and audible AtoN, Vessel Traffic Services, AtoN provision, design and maintenance, contracts, environmental matters and human resource issues. The theoretical training was delivered by David Gordon, Executive Manager: Lighthouse and Navigational Systems, and Gerardine Delanoye, Capacity Building and Resources Manager: IALA World-Wide Academy, together with TNPA-endorsed experts.

BLUE ECONOMY

Maritime archaeologist on brink of major discovery off Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA: Maritime archaeologist and historian, Dr Bruno Werz of the African Institute for Marine and Underwater Research, Exploration and Education (AIMURE), believes that he has discovered the site of one of South Africa’s most significant shipwrecks, the Haarlem along the shoreline near Table View.

This station, that became known as the ‘Tavern of the Seas’, later developed into the City of Cape Town. “The wrecking of Haarlem can thus be regarded as the catalyst that created not only Cape Town, but also the roots of current multiracial and multicultural South African society,” he says.

“No shipping disaster worldwide has ever had such an impact on the history of an entire nation,” Werz (pictured left) told press today as he revealed information that points to the final resting place of the vessel along the shoreline near Table View.

Now Werz, who is in the process of applying for the necessary excavation permits, is confident that the Haarlem lies just offshore in water depths of less than two metres southwest of the Dolphin Beach Hotel in Table View.

Author of a book on the subject, Werz, has been researching the topic since 1989 and, working with a team of experts, trusts that the data will be proven correct once excavations begin. “The Haarlem was wrecked in Table Bay in March 1647 and the events that followed had far-reaching consequences for the history of this country,” says Werz who explains how 62 men were left behind while the remainder of the crew was repatriated on accompanying ships. During their stay, the men from Haarlem came into contact with indigenous people. Upon returning to the Dutch Republic, they reported favourably of their experiences. As a result, VOC management decided to establish the much-needed stopover for their ships.

The training included technical visits to the historical Green Point Lighthouse, South African Navy Hydrographic Office (SANHO), STC-Southern Africa, the South African Maritime Safety Authority’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (SAMSA MRCC), South Africa Maritime Training Academy (SAMTRA) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

has been recorded that these items were left behind when the wreck was abandoned. Only future excavation can tell,” he concludes.

“Test excavations and data show that there is a structure about three to four metres below the seabed that fits the description of what one would expect to find as the remains of the Haarlem,” he says.

The project has been supported entirely by sponsors and volunteers including Guerrini Marine Construction, Broadband Geophysical, WSP Coastal Engineers, Shango Solutions and the University of the Witwatersrand.

Work to verify the wreck has included archival, literature, geological and geophysical surveys, as well as archaeological test excavations. “The objective is to locate both the shipwreck and its associated survivor camp and, once found, to excavate these historical sites according to the highest achievable standards,” he says.

Werz estimates that extending the project to include further excavations to provide the conclusive proof the team needs will require additional funding and is aiming to secure this through further sponsorship.

“Based on the combined results of these different research approaches, there is a chance of 95% that the location of the wreck of Haarlem has been found. The ultimate proof will be the discovery of 19 iron cannon and four iron anchors, as it

Plans to carefully excavate the site have already been drawn up by WSP Coastal Engineers that include creating a steel “cofferdam” structure around the wreck and removing the water and sand to expose the boat.

10 AUGUST 2019

This year’s course follows the successful hosting of the same training in 2018 for from South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, Kenya and Madagascar. “South Africa is recognised as the centre of excellence in Africa with regard to AtoNs, and will continue to host this important training to achieve competence and compliance on the African continent,” said David Gordon. TNPA is hoping to add the Level 2 Aids to Navigation Technician Course to its training for 2020/21.

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DIGITAL

News Roundup Distributed at the end of every month, the Digital News Roundup will also be available for download from our website. CONTACT: editor@maritimesa.co.za