Keynote address delievered by the Minister of Transport on the occasion of the International Maritime Organisation World Maritime Day Parallel Event held at Durban ICC in Ethekwini on 12 October 2022 at 11h00
Your Excellencies, Ministers responsible for Maritime representing various IMO member countries;
Secretary General of the IMO, Mr Kitack Lim;
His Royal Highness, iNkosi MisuZulu kaZwelithini, Hlanga lomhlabathi, Bayede!;
Our Deputy Minister, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga Deputy Ministers representing various countries Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube;
Your Excellencies, Ambassadors representing various governments;
Members of the Provincial Executive Council Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
I must add my voice in welcoming all of you to our beautiful land and the magnificent coastal City of eThekwini. A City located in the majestic Province of KwaZulu-Natal, with a rich history woven into its tapestry that spans centuries. The ocean has been a source of food and livelihood of the people since time immemorial.
The theme for this year’s World Maritime Day Parallel Event, “New technologies for greener shipping” calls for the global family of nations to take action on decarbonisation of shipping and ports through the use of zero or low carbon technologies, fuels and infrastructure. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emission across the globe for sustainable development.
The big question we must answer is: “How do we get to the future that is sustainable, which facilitates global seaborne trade from all corners of the globe?”
Shipping contributes less than 3% of global emissions. However, if there are no mitigation measures taken, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships is projected to increase to 250% by 2050 because of future demand of cargo that will be carried by international ships.
More than half of our country is surrounded by three oceans and we are dependent on these for our imports and exports needs.
We occupy a strategic shipping route on the southern tip of Africa. We are part of the World Cruise Route and I am delighted that our cruise season is about to commence next month and will run until the end of March next year.
South Africa is a maritime nation, with a long maritime history and heritage stretching back over 300 years, providing its citizens with a source of food, a medium for trade and a catalyst for migration and development. The country has approximately three thousand (3 000) km of coastline.
With the inclusion of Prince Edward and Marion Islands, the total coastline extends to three thousand nine hundred (3 900) km and more than 1.5 million square meters of ocean area that comprises our exclusive economic zone.
In re-affirming our place among the maritime nations of the world, we are resolute in our efforts to grow a seafaring nation where young men and women are able to take advantage of our vast maritime resources for their livelihoods and careers.
Seafaring is an international occupation and seafarers produced by South Africa are able to work on international shipping and they are highly sought after. Producing seafarers for international employment will no doubt contribute in the reduction of youth unemployment in our country.
Coastal shipping occupies centre stage of our developmental efforts, not only to aggressively enhance the oceans economy, but also to create jobs.
This will be realised by creating a captive market for South Africans where regulation will determine what categories of cargo should only be moved by sea. Our national policy recognises that South Africa’s economy is intrinsically linked with other regional and continental economies. Thus, South Africa will leverage on regional and continental enabling structures and instruments to implement progressive initiatives particularly coastal shipping as an important enabler in unlocking the potential of the oceans to the region.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), an implementing agency of the Department of Transport, amongst other things, was established for the good of international shipping, including carrying our Port State Control obligations, provide requisite infrastructure that ensures Safety of Life at Sea.
This is in recognition of our international obligations to support an established international practice.
An assurance exercise that guarantees safety of navigation to both ships that call at South Africa’s ports and those that pass through South African waters to get to foreign ports. We deliver on these obligations through a combination of activities and functions, including Aids to Navigation, Medical Evacuations, Sea Watch and Response, over the nineteen million nine hundred and fifty six thousand three hundred and fifty one (19 956 351) square metres of a Search and Rescue region that South Africa is responsible for.
Following an initiative we conceptualised in 2016 and implemented through an inter-governmental arrangement, South Africa introduced bunkering operations in Algoa Bay, an exercise that proved to be critical in supporting international shipping at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our membership of the IMO is founded on our long-term commitment to support the international community in ensuring safety and security of shipping and the protection of the marine environment.
There has been substantial work that has been undertaken on this critical matter at international, regional and national levels. Allow me, therefore to take this opportunity to commend the IMO for its exceptional work and commitment in taking action to combat climate change and its threats by adopting the Initial Strategy on the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emission from International Ships.
This is in support of the goals set out in the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development particularly goals 13 and 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
I must also extend my appreciation and applaud stakeholders, including the oil and bunker industry, manufacturers, academia, and shipping industry in general, for all your efforts and initiatives aimed at using research and innovation for the development of greener technologies as the pathway to the decarbonisation of this important industry.
South Africa has expressed commitments in various multilateral platforms of its intent to decarbonise its economic sectors that are currently reliant on fossil fuel for energy. This is on the basis that there is just transition which considers the socio-economic factors of the country and her people.
We believe that the abundance of renewable energy potential can accelerate the development of greener technologies and alternative fuels in order to meet the demand of supplying bunker to ships at our ports. To meet these demands, South Africa will have to accelerate her investments on research and innovation for the development of alternative fuels, technology and infrastructure.
Leading by example, we have private enterprises, research institutions and ports in our country, that are hard at work in a quest to develop low or zero carbon fuels like green hydrogen and ammonia, green technologies for ships and port infrastructure.
These initiatives and the fact that South Africa is located in one of the major shipping routes, presents great opportunities for South Africa to leverage on and become a bunkering hub to supply the international market with green technologies, and zero carbon fuels as our contribution in decarbonising shipping.
As we embark on the development of the regulatory framework for the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships, greener technology becomes central in providing new solutions and opportunities for the improvement of energy and technical efficiencies for sustainable shipping. To be able to decarbonise shipping as envisaged in the greenhouse gas (GHG) strategy, the spirit of co-operation among all stakeholders must be a golden thread that enables us to remove barriers that may impede investments and transfer of greener technologies while ensuring that no one is left behind.
In conclusion, I have no doubt that over the next 2 days of this event, the discussions, exchange of ideas and experiences by stakeholders from the panel, presenters, captains of industry, state and non-state actors, will determine a clear path we will undertake on this journey of just transition towards greener technologies for sustainable shipping industry.
I look forward to fruitful discussions and engagements that will add impetus to our global maritime agenda.
Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the South African government, it is my honour and privilege to welcome you to our shores and wish you well in your deliberations on these matters over the next two days.
I thank you.
