Every year, during the last week of September, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) celebrates World Maritime Day and South Africa, as a member state and developing maritime nation, participates in these celebrations.
World Maritime Day is celebrated by the IMO on the last Thursday of September each year. During that week member states become involved in activities of promoting shipping safety, maritime security, maritime environment, and technical cooperation and all the work of the IMO.
The Republic of South Africa has participated in World Maritime Day celebrations since 2001 and this year this is going to be done together with the maritime industry as well as schools, not only with the purpose of recognising the contribution that the maritime industry makes towards the SA economy, but also to encourage further development and investment in the industry.
This year, the department will host World Maritime Day celebrations in East London in the Eastern Cape Province on 21 September 2010 under the theme “2010 the year of the seafarer” as endorsed by the IMO Council.
Previously disadvantaged communities are the prime target audience for this year and the celebrations will also be used to further create awareness regarding careers and career opportunities in the maritime industry. The celebrations will also be used for creating awareness regarding investment opportunities in the industry.
Through the Department of Transport, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and maritime industry role players, World Maritime Day celebrations have been hosted in most commercial ports throughout the country to enhance and develop a culture of a relationship with the sea and maritime initiatives and activities.
Schools have been identified in the Eastern Cape Province that at are going to participate in the celebrations, which entail a variety of activities including art and an essay competition. The winners of the competition will be announced on the day of the celebrations and prizes will be awarded. As part of the celebrations there will be an exhibition and expo involving tertiary and leading institutions in the maritime industry, the learners will be taken on a tour of the Port of East London and they will be given career guidance by maritime experts.
The World Maritime Day celebrations will be attended, among others by senior government officials at national, provincial and municipal level representing different departments, CEOs of SAMSA, the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and TPT, Coega Development Corporation in the Eastern Cape, Smit Amandla, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University of Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Shipping Companies, and senior officials from the Navy.
The festivities of the day will come to a climax in the evening during a Gala Dinner where the winning schools will be announced and prices awarded.
The details of the event are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Venue: East London International Convention Centre
Time: 09h30
All media are invited to attend. Journalists attending are requested to confirm attendance by 12h00 on Monday, 20 September 2010, with Sello Tshipi on 073 498 6722 / TshipiA@dot.gov.za or Mthunzi Mbungwana on 072 645 1792 / MbungwaM@dot.gov.za.
Transport will be available to facilitate the tour of the port for the media.
Enquiries:
Sam Monareng
Cell: 083 326 1521
Source: Department of Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
