Transport Minister Mr. Sibusiso Ndebele is leading a delegation of maritime officials to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) council meeting in London from 11 to 15 June 2012.
South Africa has been a member of the IMO council since 1995 and serves as Vice-Chair of the assembly/council.
The delegation is expected to make presentations on the state of readiness for the hosting of the Diplomatic Conference from 8 - 11 October 2012 in Cape Town.
Other issues on the IMO council agenda include the piracy, World Maritime University, World Maritime Day, International Maritime Prize and the reduction of greenhouse emissions.
The Minister will make a presentation to the IMO council on South Africa's efforts to combat piracy, particularly along the Mozambican channel.
The IMO participated in last year's Climate Change conference hosted by South Africa. The issue of reducing greenhouse emissions featured prominently during the conference, wherein presentations were made about the maritime industry's efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions. Some of the interventions raised during the Climate Change conference included building environmentally friendly ships to help deal with climate change challenges.
Minister Ndebele says the IMO council presents the South African government with an opportunity to do a benchmark on what other member countries are doing to improve their maritime capacity.
He says the industry has great job creation and empowerment opportunities for the country.
"South Africa needs to take advantage of our position at the IMO to grow its maritime sector, including sending candidates to the World Maritime University to acquire much needed skills to transform the maritime industry.
Maritime is a very critical area of transport in particular but the economy in general. We must take advantage of the Diplomatic Conference we will be hosting in October to raise awareness about the opportunities and potential of the maritime industry," says Minister Ndebele.
The Minister says the department of Transport will embark on a drive to raise awareness about the maritime industry in an effort to attract young people to take interest in maritime education and recall other South Africans currently employed by other foreign vessels.
"We are willing to introduce any form of legislation if need be to make the necessary interventions to unlock the potential that exists in the maritime industry," concludes Minister Ndebele.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) will be hosting the South African Maritime Industry Conference from 4 to 6 July 2012.
Enquiries:
Tiyani Rikhotso
Cell: 083 570 1275
E-mail: rikhotsot@dot.gov.za
