In a somewhat rambling address delivered by Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula at a virtual strategic planning session of the department of transport last week, the minister was big on plans but provided little in the way of concrete action.
He reiterated the government’s somewhat jaded mantra about the tremendous opportunities that the oceans economy represents for innovation, growth and skills development. “It is an anchor programme of Operation Phakisa. Ours is to give momentum to this programme and realise the massive potential of our maritime sector.
“This can only be achieved by ensuring the implementation of all initiatives of the marine transport manufacturing focus area of Operation Phakisa: Oceans Economy in order to achieve the desired outcomes - and these include collaboration with sister ministries to ensure localisation of supply chains as well as creating a conducive tax regime to grow the ship registry.”
He said it was important to breathe life into the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP) – which aims to facilitate growth, development and transformation of South Africa's maritime transport - through the implementation of coastal shipping and other interventions geared towards placing the country on a sustainable path as a truly maritime nation.
“The transformation of the maritime sector will be given impetus by the corporatisation of the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA),” he added. “This will enable us to increase efficiency and effectiveness at ports.
“The finalisation of this process will also give full effect to the provisions of the National Ports Act of 2005. This is an urgent exercise we must approach with vigour and determination. Our performance agreement requires of us to have realised this task by June 2021.”