FROM THE BRIDGE
Charting the Course
Can South Africa successfully resurrect its Shipping Registry?
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Can Africa lead the way in banning single use plastics to save the oceans?
With less than a handful of commercial trading ships currently flying the South African flag, the government and the South African Maritime Safety Authority continues to champion the resurrection of the South African Shipping Registry. Debate on the viability of this cause also continues as some believe there are more worthy goals to pursue within the Ocean Economy, but will we see some additional tonnage added to the registry in 2018?
2 Will the Saldanha Bay IDZ ever live up to its potential? Hailed as “a new beginning for the region” by then South African President, Jacob Zuma when the Industrial Development Zone was officially launched at the end of 2014, the Saldanha Bay IDZ has been slow to deliver. Despite alluding to signed lease agreements on a number of occasions, the zone remains only a promising potential that is likely to require significantly renewed offshore activity for it to be fully realised.
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How will piracy impact the industry in 2018?
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The coordinated industry and international governments’ response to the surge in piracy off the Gulf of Aden proved measurably effective, but renewed attacks in the Gulf of Guinea suggest that a one-size-fits all approach to combating piracy will not be effective. In addition, some experts predict that the Gulf of Aden may experience renewed attacks should the industry drop its guard or the situation on land become more conducive. One recent article on an international media site even indicated that many Somalians would prefer to resume pirate operations as they were far more lucrative and enjoyable than fishing.
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Oil prices rose to US$70 /b during January, some analysts predict that we are likely to see an average price of US$62 /b for 2018 and 2019.
After declining from 48 to 36 in 2016, the number of African companies exhibiting at the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston rose to 54 in 2017. Nigeria continues to dominate having sent 30 companies last year – a 50 percent increase on the previous year. The number of companies from South Africa, however, has dwindled since 2015 when 18 companies travelled to Houston to only 13 companies participating in 2017. Maritime Review Africa FEBRUARY 2018
Can South Africa find a sustainable solution for operating the SA Agulhas as a dedicated training vessel? Although a noble pursuit, the operation of the SA Agulhas as a dedicated training vessel has drawn some skepticism from industry. With little to no funding from any government department, the vessel has spent the bulk of its time over the last two years alongside - not offering too much seatime for cadets. Following a successful trip to the ice, however, and the experience gained by the 20 cadets on board - will the vessel have proved its worth to those holding the purse strings?
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What can we expect from the oil price in 2018?
How many African companies will exhibit at this year’s OTC?
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The message that plastics are killing our marine life and the message that we could end up with more plastic than fish in the ocean is beginning to sink in. Some countries are clamping down on single-use plastic and setting dates for their total ban as pressure from activists mounts. The European Union is pushing for many single-use plastic products to be banned across its member states by 2030 – why can’t the African Union beat them to the punch? In Kenya anyone producing or selling plastic bags faces four years in jail or a hefty fine.
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Will we see more cyber-security breaches in the maritime space?
The much publicised cyber-attack on Maersk line in 2017 highlighted the need for the maritime industry to pursue a more secure digital space. As automation and digitisation continues to grow – will we see more breaches in the future?
What will become of the RMS St Helena?
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Following the departure from Cape Town and return of the RMS St Helena from the island of St Helena, the vessel has been officially been retired from the service and will not be replaced. Sources say that the vessel is to undergo some minor servicing before being sold. It will be interesting to see where this grand lady finds herself.