Monthly Maritime News Roundup - May 2020

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NEWS ROUND-UP MAY 2020

INSIDE FISHING African fisheries projects to benefit from MSC grants Demand for sustainable tuna soars Food parcels distributed to distressed fishers

GREEN MARINE Marine collisions cause of death for 75 species

SAFETY & SECURITY Locally produced navigation charts applauded by authorities Interagency cooperation leads to arrest of vessel hijackers Reviewing state of readiness Response teams called out for coastal casualties

PORTS Truck appointment system eases congestion in Port of Durban Cabinet appoints new board for Ports Regulator of South Africa Port expansion project delivered ahead of schedule

SHIPPING Industry and unions set out 12-step solution for IMO Member States

PEOPLE & EVENTS A call for decisive action to stimulate maritime economy

2020 VISION Kaashifah Beukes | Saldanha Bay IDZ

The attendance of City of Cape Town (CoC) officials at the launch of two Robertson and Caine Leopard 53 power catamarans, underpins the importance that the city places in the role of the boat building’s sector to boost Cape Town’s economic recovery.

See story on page 10

MARINE ENGINEERING Boat building adds win do the sails of Cape Town’s economic recovery TNPA confirms drydocks open for business

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FISHING

African fisheries projects to benefit from MSC grants AFRICA: Significant grant funding has been allocated to fisheries and research projects working to protect the oceans and safeguard seafood supplies in South Africa and the Seychelles.

Projects in the two countries will form part of a group of 15 research projects from around the world who will each receive £50,000 from the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) Ocean Stewardship Fund. Projects in the region include: Innovative methods reducing seabird bycatch: Birdlife South Africa and South African hake trawl fleet Growing sustainability in tuna fishing: Echebastar Flee SLU and Echebastar Purse Seine Skipjack Tuna Fishery Strengthening sustainability of wild mussel harvesting: WWF South Africa and the Rope Grown Mussel Fishery Maintaining South African albacore tuna stocks: WWF South Africa and the Albacore Tuna Pole and Line Fishery The Ocean Stewardship Fund grants of 2020 focus on reducing the impacts on threatened species and tackling abandoned fishing gear known as ghost gear.

“We recognise the ongoing commitments made by fishers and retailers continuing to provide sustainable seafood to consumers despite the enormity of the challenges that they are currently facing,” said MSC Chief Executive, Rupert Howes, who congratulated the awardees. “We hope this fund can play a small part in catalysing further improvements in the way our oceans are fished.

The learning from these individual projects will be available to the sector more broadly and we hope this knowledge will further contribute to enhancing efforts at scale to restore ocean health and maintain food security,” he added.

FISHING

Demand for sustainable tuna soars sourcing sustainable tuna.

Bill Holden, the MSC’s global tuna expert, said: “Over the past few months, many families will not have been able to visit or see the ocean.

But the good news is, that even in these difficult times, consumers can continue to make a difference by choosing sustainably sourced seafood. Although tuna is one of the world’s most widely consumed and popular fish, the reality is that around a third of tuna stocks remain in a fragile state. By buying tuna with the blue MSC label, shoppers are playing their part in ensuring tuna stocks are secured for future generations.”

Sales of certified sustainable tuna have more than doubled in the last five years, according to a new report published by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to mark World Tuna Day on 2 May. More than 54,000 tonnes of tuna were sold with the globally recognised blue MSC label in 2018/19, compared with 21,500 tonnes in 2015/16. The figures for 2019/20 are expected to be even higher.

A surge in demand for canned tuna as a result of the coronavirus pandemic has been reported around the world including in in the UK, Italy, Germany and Spain. Google searches for canned tuna are up 50 per cent compared to April 2019, with a 300 per cent year-on-year rise in queries relating to ‘what to do with canned tuna’.

The rapid increase in global sales of MSC labelled sustainable tuna is the result of transformations within the fishing sector. A total of 28 per cent of global tuna catch is now certified to the MSC’s standards for sustainable fishing, compared with 14 per cent in 2014. These changes have been driven by retailer and consumer demand.

With the coronavirus pandemic leading to a recent surge in demand for canned tuna, the MSC is urging both producers and consumers to continue their commitment to sustainable tuna. Published to mark World Tuna Day on Saturday 2nd May, the MSC’s Tuna Handbook provides a comprehensive guide to

Shifts in global tuna production The volume of tuna caught to the MSC’s globally recognised standard for sustainable fishing more than doubled from 700,000 tonnes in 2014 to 1.4 million tonnes in September 2019. There are now 29 MSC certified tuna fisheries, compared with just eight in September 2014.

These fisheries operate to globally recognised best practices for fishing sustainably, minimising their impact on the environment. They also continue to deliver improvements to safeguard tuna stocks and protect important marine species such as sharks, rays and turtles.

Behind these changes are more than 200 companies which trade MSC certified sustainable tuna sold in 41 countries. This includes

2 MAY 2020

global multi-nationals responsible for some of the world’s largest tuna brands including John West (owned

by Simplot); Petit Navire, Chicken of the Sea and Genova (owned by Thai Union); and Rio Mare (owned by Bolton Food). Retailers also leading the way include Woolworths in South Africa, and international retailers such as Sainsbury’s, MIGROS, Albert Heijn, Lidl and Aldi.

Steven Adolf, the author of the recently published book, Tuna Wars said: “The surge in popularity of tuna at the end of the last century, either in sushi or in cans, has resulted in a steep growth in the global tuna catch, unsustainable practices and illegal fishing. Due to the ongoing covid-19 crisis, the need for healthy and safe proteins will only increase, adding to the pressure on our global tuna stocks. Many challenges lie ahead, but fortunately, an increasing number of fishers, retailers and brands are making bold commitments to achieve MSC certification. We must not lose this positive momentum.’’

As well as providing a high protein, low-fat, versatile way of eating fish as part of a healthy diet, tuna has a huge social and economic value.

The global tuna market is worth more than US$42 billion a year.

More than six million people are employed within the tuna industry in the Asia-Pacific region alone.

Globally 65 per cent of tuna stocks are considered to be in a healthy state, with 17.5 per cent overfished and a further 17.5 per cent at an intermediate level.

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New review identifies 75 species affected by marine collisions

man and Dr Stephanie Plön, both of the Nelson Mandela University, showed that collisions between marine animals and ships occur far more regularly than previously thought. While reports of incidences with smaller species are rare, it is likely that this is due to reporting bias such as simply not noticing that they were struck.

SOUTH AFRICA: Researchers at the Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth have published a report that highlights that at least 75 different marine species face major injury and death as a result of collisions at sea.

Authored by the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Claire Patterson-Abrolat, with researchers Dr Renee Schoe-

“It’s not just large commercial vessels that are responsible”, revealed Patterson-Abrolat, “but small recreational vessels too. Injury to the animals can be pretty horrific, ranging from minor injury to an animal through to deep lacerations, fractures, haemorrhaging, amputated body parts such as fins or tails, or even death.” Injury to an animal

GREEN MARINE

Marine collisions cause of death for at least 75 species

may also lead to reduced fitness which in turn lowers reproduction rates and even population sizes.

Most affected are the long-lived species which take longer to reach sexual maturity and give birth to just one or two young at a time.

So, what can be done about this?

Temporary rerouting of ships during breeding seasons could reduce the risk of collisions, but this is often directed only for whales; many other vulnerable species often receive little or no attention. Establishing communication channels with mandatory reporting and early warning systems could give both the ships and the animals more time to take avoidance procedures should a collision be likely. Having a trained observer on board can also increase the detection of an animal in the water allowing the ship to alter course or warn the animal of its presence.

A range of deterrent devices has also been developed. These have been found effective on species such as the North Atlantic Right Whale but were not effective on Grey Whales. A Manatee Alert Device (MAD) has proved successful in alerting that species. Propeller guards have also been found to be successful for species such as

Loggerhead Turtles.

The report made more specific recommendations such as developing a centralised database of ALL collisions noted in the oceans, to allow the identification of potential hotspot areas. With at least 75 species being recorded as involved in collisions with vessels, and noting that there may be a reporting bias against the smaller species, this may be a larger problem that initially thought.

Research should be conducted to determine whether or not injured species have a reduced breeding success rate and how this impacts on populations, if there is any way of determining when smaller species have been involved in a collision, and how to identify high-risk areas for all species.

Enforcement should be stepped up where necessary to ensure adherence to speed reduction zones, and education and awareness materials should be made available to ship crews, and recreational skippers.

Oceans provide valuable recreational and transport services and the importance of these should be central to the rebuilding of our oceans economy.

SAFETY

Locally produced navigation charts applauded by authorities

PORTS

NIGERIA: The Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office (NNHO) revealed their second locally produced chart of some parts of Nigerian waters this week after commencing work on the aids last year.

Truck appointment system eases congestion in Port of Durban

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin applauded their efforts and expressed delight in the fact that the recent products of the NNHO, harbour and operational charts, are certified and recognized by international institutions.

SOUTH AFRICA: The mandatory truck appointment system implemented by Transnet Port Terminals across the Durban Container Terminals (DCT) at the onset of the national lockdown has reportedly resulted in a faster clearing of trucks at the port, which previously contributed to Bayhead Road traffic.

The new chart covers parts of Badagry Creek, from Ogunkobo, through Navy Town and Mile 2 to Tin-Can Island in Lagos waters. Work on the chart started in 2019. With the completion of the chart, the NNHO has now commenced work on its electronic version which will be forwarded to the International Centre for Electronic Navigational Charts for validation and release.

Although DCT has a reduced operation in line with COVID-19 standard safety and prevention measures, the terminal is currently handling the same number of trucks handled during normal operating levels.

KZN Containers Acting General Manager Abubaker Badat said, “When trucks converge at the terminal at the same time unannounced, many challenges are introduced into the system.” He added that the appointment system was a process improvement initiative, which will continue to yield positive results post the national lockdown. “It is gratifying to observe our stakeholders benefit from the full implementation of the truck appointment system. Like any appointment, time and required resources are reserved for each truck and we are able to match demand with supply more efficiently,” said Badat.

Over the last year, the NNHO has produced a number of nautical products which are currently used by Nigerian Navy ships and establishments. These include harbour chart of Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT and Nigerian Naval Dockyard Limited water fronts, port guide of Lagos harbour and operations charts of the entire Eastern Naval Command. Others are maneuvering sheets for tactical navigation and a number of training charts among others.

The International Hydrographic Community, particularly the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO), has acknowledged the strides made by the NN in chart production. Consequently, the UKHO has accepted gradual hand over of the survey data covering Nigerian waters which are held in their archive and also to adopt NNHO’s charts rather than producing new ones.

This is a confirmation that NNHO’s nautical products meet international (IHO) standards. The NNHO wishes to maintain this standard to facilitate safety of navigation within Nigerian waters and seamless takeover of the charting functions of Nigerian waters from UKHO.

Considered best practice in the Container Sector globally, a mandatory truck appointment system not only offers operational efficiency but financial value for both the terminal operator and the customer, since waiting times are reduced. “We have in the past, had trucks waiting for extended periods to be serviced. The use of the truck appointment system has enabled the terminal to control the rate of collections and deliveries, thereby ensuring optimal utilisation of landside capacity.”

In line with the coordination role of the NN in Hydrography, the NNHO is also currently developing a harmonised Standard Operating Procedures to guide all hydrographic survey activities conducted in Nigerian waters by private survey companies and sister government agencies. This would ensure that data received from any of these survey companies/government agencies are accurate enough to be included in a chart.

“While this process improvement initiative will yield further visible results when all road users gradually return to the new normal, parallel discussions hope to review, comprehensively, further improvements to operations at the ports and terminals. This will reduce inefficiencies in the long term,” said Badat.

4 MAY 2020

MARITIME REVIEW VESSELS | CREWING | AFRICA TRAINING SHIPPING

Industry and unions set out 12-step solution for IMO Member States THE International Maritime Organisation (IMO) today issued a 12-step plan its 174 member states to help facilitate crew changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a statement by the International Transport Federation (ITF), approximately 150,000 seafarers will need to be changed within the next two weeks to ensure compliance with international maritime regulations. Seafarers are currently trapped onboard ships across the the globe due the continuing imposition of travel restrictions. The ITF maintains that failure to facilitate crew changes at this point will risk the wellbeing of seafarers, maritime safety, as well as the supply chains that the world relies on.

The 55-page roadmap has been advanced by a broad coalition of seafarers’ unions, and international shipping industry associations, with input from airline industry representatives, international organisations, and the insurance sector, to provide a comprehensive blueprint of how governments can facilitate crew changeovers and resolve safety concerns throughout the entire process.

“The problem is simplistic, but the solution is complex.”

“The problem is simplistic, but the solution is complex. So, we have stepped up and done the homework and developed the protocols. We are now working with governments to implement this roadmap,” says Guy Platten, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

“Seafarers continue to work really hard, day-in, day-out and far away from loved ones, but if we are not able to free our seafarers from their COVID-19 lockdown we could start to see disruption to trade and more importantly we increase the risk of accident and occurrences of mental health issues. Putting this off is no longer an option.”

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The protocols clearly set out the responsibility of governments, shipowners, transport providers and seafarers. The protocols also provide a framework to develop robust procedures that can be adopted worldwide to ensure that trade can keep flowing and seafarers can be relieved.

This critical issue is increasingly taking on a humanitarian dimension for those crews which have already spent many months at sea, and which urgently need to be repatriated to their home countries and to be replaced. Apart from the need for shipping companies to comply with international regulations and contractual obligations, service periods on board ships cannot be extended indefinitely due to the dangerous impacts this has for the health and well-being of ship crew and, most importantly, safe ship operations.

“This is about governments recognising the critical role that seafarers play in global supply chains, recognising them as key workers, and providing immediate and consistent exceptions from COVID-19 restrictions to allow crew changeovers,” notes Stephen Cotton, General Secretary, ITF. “International seafarers are bearing the burden first-hand as governments turn a blind eye to the ‘forgotten sector’. The ITF, ICS and IMO have a clear message, governments cannot continue with a mentality of out of sight, out of mind, and we strongly urge governments to use this roadmap to act now before we suffer more serious consequences.”

The 12-step solution provides governments with the global framework to facilitate changeovers of ships’ crews, including the lack of available flights. In view of the importance of international maritime transport to the resilience of the global economy at this critical time, the recommendations have been produced in record time to enable governments to take the urgent action needed to address this issue.

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PEOPLE & EVENTS

PORTS

A call for decisive action to stimulate maritime economy

Cabinet appoints new board for Ports Regulator of South Africa

Moses Kotane Virtual Lecture

SOUTH AFRICA: The announcement of the new chairperson and board members of the Ports Regulator of South Africa by the cabinet drew some comments from industry stakeholders who question the lack of experience within the maritime space despite all exhibiting significant other credentials.

SOUTH AFRICA: Speaking during a webinar hosted by the Moses Kotane Institute in KwaZulu Natal, Chairperson of the Board, Dr Sakhile Ngcobo called for a more rapid re-opening of the economy and proposed a number of considerations that included an intensive five year government ship-building programme; the fast-tracking of a ship repair programme for government fleet as well as a sense of urgency in establishing a South African shipping company.

While many of Ngcobo’s comments were specifically directed around the impact of COVID-19 on the local KZN region, he touched on a number of national issues – going as far as to call for the delay of implementation of the low sulphur regulations to 2022.

Shipping and ports Noting the decline in new vehicle exports, Ngcobo warned that the damage to the sector could be permanent with upcoming rivals such as Morocco ready to steal market share from South Africa.

With the World Trade Organisation predicting a 32 per cent fall in global trade this year, Ngobo emphasises that the country will likely see billions of Rands in revenue losses.

“Loss of customs revenue will hit the fiscus significantly,” he said adding that the overall decline in clearing and forwarding is expected to be between 20 and 30 per cent.

He also noted the impact of restricted crew changes on the industry, but interestingly did not address this in his concluding recommendations.

Shipbuilding and repairs Level 5 of the national lockdown impacted heavily on the shipbuilding and repair sectors with many companies reporting the need to retrench workers.

Heading into Level 4 saw the shipbuilding sector being allowed to return to work with some severe restrictions that Ngcobo believes are not practically feasible for the sector. His call on government to kickstart its fleet renewal and maintenance programme will certainly be supported by the sector.

Oil and gas sector The major disruption to the oil and gas sector cannot be ignored as

the world’s top oil producers gut global production and stockpiling continues.

Referencing a discussion with ENI, Ngcobo did, however, suggest that the company aims to proceed with projects along the South African coast.

The new chairperson is Zolani Kgosietsile Matthews. According to his biography on AGI Capital’s website, he “holds a Master of Public Administration, majoring in International Relations and Finance from Harvard University and a BA (Hons): Political Science, majoring in Economics from Warwick University.”

Ngcobo’s recommendations: More rapid re-opening of the economy with an emphasis on the ports.

Support packages around reductions in port duties, credit management measures, increased cofounding for manpower and productivity support schemes.

Intensive 5-year ship building programme for three patrol vessels for the navy, 10 tugs for the ports, two protection vessels for fisheries, two dredgers and three research vessels for Department of Environmental Affairs.

Fast-track intensive ship repair programme for long overdue maintenance on Transnet vessels, fisheries protection vessels and three Navy frigates.

Fast-track the establishment of a South African shipping company to increase capacity.

Transnet need a second tipper in Richards Bay to increase capacity Fast-track decision in terms of Gas to Power project in Richards Bay. Fast-track the finalisation of refinery project in the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone.

We need to revisit Operation Phakisa – a workshop to be held on progress to date.

We urge GCS to conclude all surveys off the South African coast with immediate effect.

The sulphur regulations should be delayed and become effective in 2022.

Carbon tax for South African mining companies to be suspended until 2022.

The new mining charter regulations requiring SA owned ships to transport minerals must be enforced urgently.

He is no stranger to a number of boards and has held positions on the board of the South African Post Office and Zarclear Holdings as well as worked in a many high-profile positions both locally and abroad.

Despite this, he does not have any direct connection with the maritime or ports’ sectors.

Joining him on the board, Siphokazi Matolengwe and Dr Tshisikawe Victor Munyama appear to be the only two appointees that have any connection to the industry. The former is an External Sales Executive at Diamond Shipping Services and the latter served as the chief economist for Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) for a number of years.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Matolengwe completed her post graduate diploma in maritime studies at the Durban University of Technology in 2015 and worked at Grindrod Freight and K-Line before joining Diamond Shipping Services in 2017.

Munyama was appointed as the chief economist for TNPA in 2012 and remained in this position until September 2017 when he became an economist for the South African government. His role at TNPA, where he was tasked to operationalise, lead and manage the TNPA Economic Unit to ensure economic modelling, trends analysis, impact assessments, forecasting and reporting, certainly speaks to the type of contribution that he can make to the board.

According to a press release issued at the time of Munyama’s TNPA appointment he has “an impressive resume as an economist in several organisations – more latterly as an economist in the Research Department of the SA Reserve Bank. From August 2007 to April 2009, he had been Senior Economist at Standard Bank Group Economics and prior to that, between January 2005 and August 2007 he was an economist in

Noting the decline in new vehicle exports, Ngcobo warned that the damage to the sector could be permanent with upcoming rivals such as Morocco ready to steal market share from South Africa.

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MAY 2020

the Research Department of the SA Reserve Bank.”

Despite no direct maritime experience, the remainder of the appointees do, however, have a wealth of experience amongst them of sitting on various boards and committees across both the private and public sectors.

As a founding member of WC Attorneys, Leanda-Marsha Vilakazi’s expertise would appear to relate to trust and tax law, corporate governance, property law, conveyancing and offering the services of company secretariat.

She was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa and, according to her LinkedIn Profile, currently sits on the Boards of the Palabora Foundation, Ditsong Museums and the Companies Tribunal.

Kenosi Selane’s profile on the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency’s website (where she sits on the Board of Directors) highlights her knowledge and experience in strategic financial advisory and core finance and economic regulation.

She has also served on the Board of the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

On his LinkedIn profile, Zola Fihlani states that he has experience of sitting on over 70 boards and committees. He lists his experience as a chartered accountant as including investment banking, mergers and acquisitions, project finance, loan syndication and debt refinancing across both the private and public sector.

He is also the founder and Managing Partner of EVI Capital Partners and a former member of the Global Loans team at Absa Capital. Fihlani holds a B.Compt (Hons) degree in Accounting from the University of South Africa, a Master of Commerce degree in Taxation from Wits University (Dissertation – review of the tax treatment of derivatives and synthetic instruments in SA), a Higher Diploma in Tax Law (Dissertation – Capital Gains Tax, why the controversy) and a Higher Diploma in International Tax Law both from the University of Johannesburg.

Fihlani qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in 1999 and is a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Founder and chairperson of the Association of Women in ICT, Zandile Kabini, brings an understanding of the importance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to the board.

She also sits on the Boards of Boxing South Africa, Infarco, and the Groundwater Management Institute

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA of SADC.

SECURITY

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Bcom) Informatics, Bcom (Hons) Informatics, Diploma in Business Analysis, Management Development Programme and a number of corporate Governance certificates from the Institute of Directors South Africa (IODSA).

FCWC Region’s Interagency Cooperation Leads to Arrest of Vessel Hijackers

The new Board is rounded off by Asraf Mohamed Adam, whose five year appointment to the Municipal Demarcation Board ended in 2019.

WEST AFRICA: The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC) through the regional online communications platform established under the West Africa Task Force (WATF), has successfully facilitated the arrest of 10 hijackers of the Hai Lu Feng 11

vessel, potentially saving the lives of 18 crew members.

The Hai Lu Feng 11 gave its last position in Ivorian waters on 14 May 2020. After two days of non-responsiveness, intelligence was shared on the regional online communications

platform to alert all FCWC Member States agencies.

The fact that its last-known position was in Togo’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), together with subsequent analysis of the vessel’s track led agencies to believe the vessel was headed toward Nigeria’s EEZ. The Nigerian authorities were alerted and they deployed the Nigerian Navy Ship Nguru to intercept and rescue the hijacked vessel. The vessel crew members consisted of eight Chinese, seven Ivorians, and three Ghanaians.

FCWC Secretary-General, Seraphin Dedi, commended all national, regional agencies, and the Technical team of WATF, for their actions that led to the research and arrest of the pirates on the hijacked vessel.

T.

“This operation is a justification for the need of regional cooperation and demonstrated the mastering of the use of VMS by experts in the region and its usefulness for the monitoring of vessels, the fight against IUU fishing and the protection of human lives and goods,” he stated.

The cooperation that made this arrest possible further demonstrates the importance of communication and collaboration at the national and regional level and joint approaches to enforcement actions at sea.

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oil and gas sectors for the future.

11. What geographical markets is your company/organisation currently active in?

Our tenants operate in Africa and beyond, and so we focus on providing facilities, services and a business environment that enables their growth and participation in those markets from their base in our zone.

So we have, and will continue to assess changing dynamics in the industry, in regions to see how small and large, domestic and international businesses are supported. Currently, we do not operate outside of the zone in Saldanha, but we are always open to studying and learning from other markets.

2020 Vision | Kaashifah Beukes

12. What are the current challenges facing the maritime industry?

Name and Surname: Kaashifah Beukes Organisation:

Saldanha Bay IDZ Licencing Company SOC Ltd (SBIDZ-LC)

Current Position:

Chief Executive Officer

1. What qualifications do you have and from which institutions?

7. What skill (business or pleasure) would you still like to master?

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) from UCT; Master’s in Business Administration from the Graduate School of Business at UCT.

Patience.

2. How long have you been working in the maritime industry?

No.

My work for the past 10 years has been to understand the potential and the challenges of the industry, and in so doing design, develop and operate the SBIDZ to the best of its potential to meet the needs of the maritime industry and the country.

3. Are you a member of any professional associations? (Please list them if applicable) Women in Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) South Africa 4. How many years are you from retirement?

I hope lots! I’m only turning 40 in June this year!

5. How would you describe your leadership style?

Authentic, caring, and inclusive. I have a clear vision of what I want the SBIDZ to be, but I’m not immune to listening to others on how to get there so long as it doesn’t compromise our values and our purpose.

6. What motivates/drives you in your daily work life?

I know that we have great potential within us to effect change that matters to people. I want the SBIDZ to be something that adds to our lives in a positive manner: be it stable employment people may not have had access to before, be it in new skills development, be it working with others who are different from you, and solving problems as a team that is highly regarded.

I’d like to zone in on challenges faced in South Africa: Foremost to my mind, as Kitack Lim, Secretary-General of International Maritime Organization said in a recent lecture, “shipping is “out of sight and out of mind””. Shipping is “maritime traffic” in action. It’s at the core of the maritime industry.

But how many in South Africa have a deep experience and knowledge of it? A shipping vessel, a ferry, a tugboat or a fishing vessel, are not on most South Africans’ daily radar – so how does one promote it to young people? How does one legislate equitably? How does one plan and operate our ports, cities, rail, roads – and airports – to enable its growth? How does one manage risks and complexities, and seize opportunities, you didn’t know you didn’t know?

8. Have you spent any time at sea during your career?

9. What is your outlook for the maritime sector in 2020?

Adjusting to the new fuel regulations was going to show up pockets of challenges everywhere, but now with the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s placing further strain on the capacity of our maritime ecosystems to deal with complex operational matters efficiently.

In South Africa, the most fundamental challenge is of limited, shared understanding and experience of the maritime industry itself.

10. What is your outlook for your company/organisation in 2020?

2020 is going to be (another) pioneering year for us at SBIDZ as construction begins on the first factories and warehouses of our tenants. From now on, the landscape of Saldanha will forever be changed and we are thankful for the many people and organisations we have worked with to get us to this point.

13. How should we be addressing these challenges during 2020?

The Department of Transport has published a draft implementation plan for the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP) for comment and engagement. This decade term plan aims to establish the fundamental pillars on which to base the implementation of the CMTP, culminating in South Africa becoming an International Maritime Centre by 2030.

We are energised with this milestone, as well as the rolling out of pilot processes between SARS and TNPA on our Customs Controlled Area (CCA) (Freeport) tax regime since our designation as a CCA Operator last year. The regime will save short- and long-term tenants time and money and spur growth in the industry.

We all need to be active voices and participants (no slacktivism!) so that the plan and its activities reflects a robust and mindful view on the many niche aspects of the industry. We cannot hold DOT solely accountable for growing, enabling and transforming the industry.

Lastly, this year we also start on our Innovation Campus project, which will be a campus to drive sustainable innovation, research and development, support entrepreneurs through incubation and acceleration programmes, and help develop the next generation of the workforce needed to sustain the maritime and

Campus in the zone because we recognised the increasing role that technology will play in shaping the industry – up and down the value chain. Granted, the campus needs to start incrementally by first building a virtual network between industry, academia, community and government, but ultimately we see it as a place where the problems of modern day shipping, manufacturing and engineering will be solved by the many institutes, entrepreneurs and students located on the campus.

Internally, as we operationalise the zone, we are looking at technologies that will enable us to manage the property and the needs of our tenants efficiently and reliably.

15. What changes do you anticipate in the maritime industry over the next two decades?

I truly hope that we get closer to cracking gender equality and pay parity.

16. How relevant and effective do you think strategies such as Operation Phakisa, AIMS 50 and the African Maritime Decade are to help progress the continent’s Blue Economies (explain your answer)?

They are highly effective at establishing a vision on the continent. Regrettably however, they don’t seem to translate into sustained action.

This could be due to the complexity of the challenge in addressing all the intricacies of cultivating the blue economy across over 50 very different countries.

17. How can African countries collaborate to collectively benefit from the Blue Economy?

To collaborate means to trust and want to look for win-win solutions.

You have to have an intention for success with those you are collaborating with – not just your own success. This kind of leadership must also be found throughout decision-making and action platforms: it’s not only “leaders” who need to have this mind-set, its everyone who is part of the system.

18. If you could have a superhero power, what would it be?

Conveying ideas with the least amount of words possible.

19. What would you like your legacy in the maritime industry to be?

That the SBIDZ was, and continues to be, a trustworthy partner to everyone in the industry.

14. How is your company/ organisation embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution and disruptive technologies?

20. Please nominate another maritime leader (from the African continent) that you would like us to include in our 2020 Vision series.

Head on. Last year we completed a feasibility study for an Innovation

Jemilat Mahamah, President of WISTA Ghana

8 MAY 2020

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA FISHING

Food parcels distributed to distressed fishers SOUTH AFRICA: Distressed smallscale and interim relief fishers across the country received some reprieve as the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Department in partnership with FishSA, and major fishing corporations and the SA Fishing De-

for taking the initiative to help thousands of families in distress,” said Minister Creecy.

velopment fund distributed 10,000 food parcels.

Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy welcomed the initiative of those who have responded to calls to assist all small scale fishers in the country with distress relief.

Small-scale fishing communities in the Western Cape were initially hard hit in January and February this year during the COVID-19 pandemic in China when restaurants closed and fishers were unable to sell abalone and West Coast Rock Lobster to their traditional marketers. Consequently, some sections of the fishing industry have felt the impact of the Coronavirus longer than other sectors of the

“The generosity of Fish SA, the SA Fishing Development Fund as well as several large scale commercial fishing companies has made this possible and I want to thank them

economy.

When the national lockdown was declared in South Africa on 26 March, fishing was declared an essential service. However, the closure of domestic restaurants hit small scale fishers hard and many struggle to find a market for their catch.

“An initiative of this nature is a true reflection of the spirit of Ubuntu from our sector. We join with government in its endeavours to flatten the infection curve, and to lend a helping hand to those hard hit by the virus. We call on all economic sectors to do likewise. Together, united as a nation we can get past these tough times,” said Fish SA Chairperson Loyiso Pantshwa.

Throughout the lockdown, the Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries has implemented various measures to support the fishing industry: Permits were extended for a three-month period; The West Coast Rock Lobster and the Abalone fishing seasons have been extended to July; A range of initiatives are underway to try to resume export to China under the Level 4 Regulations; Small-scale fishers, Interim Relief and the Traditional Linefish sector were exempted from the lockdown and travel restrictions, thereby enabling them to catch Snoek during the Snoek run; and Langanas were included in the definition of informal traders in order to facilitate a marketing mechanism for Snoek, amongst others.

Further interventions taken by the department is to engage with the Tourism Department, which has identified accommodation establishments on the West Coast and were approved by the department to operate for the purpose of accommodating small-scale fishers travelling from distant areas and catching Snoek which is migrating along the coast.

Licenced fish processing establishments were also engaged and encouraged to buy fish directly from the small-scale and traditional line-fishers.

The Minister and the department are engaging with other private and public institutions to continue with this support through the Solidarity Fund and will also to add the names and contact details of the Smallscale and Interim Relief Fishers to the government’s database for distress relief.

9 MAY 2020

www.maritimereview.co.za

MARINE ENGINEERING

created a demand for people with the skills to build yachts and boats as well as to perform support functions in a boat building process.

These processes include laminating, marine joinery, boat design and construction, metalwork, complying with international boat building standards, installing and maintaining marine electrical systems and inflatable boat technology.

Boat building adds wind to the sails of Cape Town’s economic recovery SOUTH AFRICA: The attendance of City of Cape Town (CoC) officials at the launch of two Robertson and Caine Leopard 53 power catamarans, underpins the importance that the city places in the role of the boat building’s sector to boost Cape Town’s economic recovery.

In a statement issued by Alderman James Vos, he announced the formation and partnership with a new strategic business partner (SBP); Blue Cape.

“Blue Cape has been established to ensure economic growth, job creation, and social upliftment by investing in skills development and policy advocacy in the oceans economy. This SBP, with funding support from the City, will focus on marine manufacturing including boat building, super yachts, and ocean sports. Specifically, Blue Cape will manage a database of vetted

Together with the City’s Enterprise and Investment Department, we work closely with the South African Boat Builders Export Council (SABBEX) to help promote and market the industry in South Africa and internationally.

Catamaran launch super yacht suppliers and will develop training materials and career pathways, facilitate internships and job creation,” he said.

planned production, we’ll be able to preserve jobs in this sector. We hope that through effective health and safety precautions aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19, we will see restrictions easing in the near future to get more people back to work and earning an income,” said Executive Mayor, Dan Plato.

“Cape Town remains a boatbuilding hub on the continent and is well-placed to maintain its status, despite the challenges and pressures facing the global economy due to COVID-19. The industry employs thousands of people and I am encouraged that with the

The emergence of Cape Town as a cost-effective supplier to international markets has over the years

The launch of the two state-of-theart Leopard 53 power catamarans, worth R22 million and which are destined for international markets, is a testament to the sector’s resilience. There are currently 50 boats in the production process Robertson and Caine, with another 107 boats worth R1.35 billion in the pipeline for this year, if restrictions are lifted.

“The year started with an order book of 188 boats. The Coronavirus

Ballast water management reception

Marine agency / Forwarding & Clearing

Bunkering services

Marine Tilapia Incubator

Container reach stackers Dredging / Survey / Wreck Removal Drill equipment disposal Drilling and ancillary services Ferry services

Mooring equipment MPA Alternative livelihood study Rope access services Sardine net

Fish farming study

Seafastening services

Fish finder

Subsea engineering

Fisheries management

Supplier database registration (boatbuilders, engine suppliers, ship parts, fuel, boat repairs)

Fishing boat new build GPS Harbour management Inflatable Rubber Duck

Technical skills development

Life jackets

Vessel lay-up and Maintenance

Lifesaving equipment servicing

Vessel supply

Logistics services

Wharf extension study

10 MAY 2020

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA pandemic’s impact on the market reduced this to 150 boats by the end of the first quarter, however, line stoppages due to lockdown and Level 4 restrictions now limit production output to 130 boats against a still existing annual order book of 150 boats.

The lifting of level 4 restrictions such as curfew would still allow the build of up to 140 boats this year, depending on how soon the restrictions would be lifted. Robertson and Caine is adamant that the health and safety of all persons on our sites must enjoy the highest priority.

Business continuity is imperative, however, the fundamentals of sound health and safety practices and discipline need to go hand in hand to ensure a sustainable future,” said Robertson and Caine, Managing Director, Peter Giliam.

“By refocussing our efforts, we can adapt to this new normal and navigate the immediate to medium-term future until the virus has been brought completely under control. By implementing innovative ideas and solutions, it is possible for us to come out stronger than before,” he added.

SECURITY

Reviewing state of readiness SOUTH AFRICA: The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, is visiting various naval units and bases in the Western Cape Province in May to assess the COVID-19 state of readiness of the facilities of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

During the visit the Minister focused on training facilities where the recruits are presently undergoing training to make sure that all health requirements and protocols are in place to deal with the Coronavirus.

She also be explored ways in which naval facilities in Simon’s Town, Gordon’s Bay and Saldanha can be used and extended to the general public who reside in the surrounding areas to allow access to those who may need to be quarantined and isolated.

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www.maritimereview.co.za

SAFETY

Response teams called out for coastal casualties SOUTH AFRICA: Following the call out to attend to a container vessel that reported a fire on board towards the end of May, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) was also called on to to attend to another vessel in danger of grounding off Port St Johns.

A fire on board the MV Cosco Sao Paolo was reported to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) on 24 May while the vessel was just south of Agulhas.

According to the ship’s agent there was an explosion on-board the vessel and the crew was called upon to attend to a fire in one of her containers. The Master later made a request to anchor off Cape Agulhas to attend to the fire. The Master also reported that two containers were lost overboard during the explosion.

SAMSA placed a suitable tug on notice to respond to the vessel for firefighting purposes. On approach to the port of Cape Town, the Master reported a flare up. SAMSA dispatched a first response team that included City of Cape Town firefighters, to board the vessel via helicopter to complete a damage assessment and determine the safety risk that the vessel posed.

The vessel arrived safely in the Port

number of NSRI stations in the vicinity were placed on alert.

In addition, a Durban Transnet National Ports Authority Helicopter was also placed on standby throughout the night.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment placed their Tier 1 Oil Pollution Response team and a Smit International Salvage team on alert, ready to deploy from Cape Town.

SAMSA reported that the vessel owner representatives and the master provided their full cooperation to contain the threat to the South African coastline.

The Pacific Dolphin arrived on May 30 and worked to attached the tanker.

of Cape Town on the May 26.

Potential grounding Meanwhile reports of a second incident indicated that the Yuan Hua Hu had run into trouble off Port St Johns. SAMSA mobilised a tug to mitigate the risk of the crude tanker running aground.

The tanker was safely anchored 1 nautical mile off Dome Bluff on the outskirts of Port St Johns by May 27 and was being monitored by the MRCC. All 27 crew on-board the casualty vessel were reported to be safe and reported no injuries.

The AMSOL tug Siyanda was deployed from Durban to act as the standby tug until the arrival of the emergency towing tug (ETV), which was also due to be deployed while a

ABOVE: Photo from the Facebook Page of Spotted Grunter which kept maritime enthusiasts abreast of the daily activities relating to the incident.

Various reports highlighted that the response team was forced to cut the anchor before towing the vessel away from the coast and towards the Port of Durban.

PORTS

MARINE ENGINEERING

Port expansion project delivered ahead of schedule

TNPA confirms drydocks open for business SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority is promoting the availability of the country’s ship repair facilities during level 4 of the country’s COVID-19 lockdown period by describing them as operating at 100 per cent capacity.

The reality is, however, that the sector is guided by COVID-19 risk mitigating measures and will certainly not be able to offer 100 per cent capacity, with the likely result that any time booked in drydock at this time may require extension resulting in higher costs for the ship owner.

GHANA: Meridian Port Services Limited successfully completed the entire Phase 1 works of the Tema Port Expansion Project at the end of April, two months ahead of the predicted end date of 28 June 2020.

In a recent memo to stakeholders, Acting Chief Harbour Master, Captain Sabelo Mdlalose, said: “The two components of the facilities, being the dry docks and engineering workshops, will be accessible to agents subject to strict safety and precautionary measures as outlined in the new level-4 COVID-19 regulations.”

This marks the completion of a 41 month project to deliver infrastructure that includes a new harbour basin that was created on a three kilometre long beach directly on the Atlantic Ocean.

The marine manufacturing industry, and by extension the ship repair, is necessarily having to limit the number of staff that can work at the same time. This will impact on the service delivery, but sources in the industry say that they are grateful for what is being done to highlight that the country is open and available to service the needs of the shipping sector.

Building into the sea, from the beach, the breakwater root goes 1,550m into the ocean with a two kilomtre long arm extending eastwards from the root of the breakwater parallel to the quay wall. The 3,558 m long breakwater is harbouring a vast 450 Hectares (1,110 Acres) of maritime waterfront.

The new harbour basin is accessible through a 3,500 m long by 225 m wide Entrance Channel into a turning basin/circle of 500m diameter. The Access Channel has been dredged to -18.7m, Turning Basin to -17.4m and -16.9m by the quay wall to accommodate 16m draft vessels to dock alongside all berths.

Mdlalose said South African ship repair facilities are committed to providing services conforming to recognised best practices, regulatory rules and standards. He urged port users to continue to practise the basics of good hygiene and social distancing.

12 MAY 2020