CT port woos oil and gas industry

As the South African government increases its commitment to growing the oil and gas business, the Port of Cape Town is also upping its game in this regard. According to Sipho Nzuza, Cape Town port manager, growing the oil and gas as well as general ship repair facilities is a high priority at the port. “We currently have two rigs in the port that will be leaving towards the middle of the year. Already we are working towards bringing in two more shortly afterwards as well as two repair vessels.” He said the aim was to have at least two rigs in the harbour at all times. “Oil and gas as an industry is growing along Africa’s coasts and it is viable business that we can attract, especially as more and more shipping lines opt for bigger vessels and consolidate services which will see ports like ours not being able to get that cargo as we are just not able to facilitate the big vessels.” He said looking at the oil and gas industry there was major room for growth in Cape Town and at the port of Saldanha to service this industry. “It is about remaining viable in a changing world trade environment. As ships slow steam and streamline their routes to be more efficient, we will see ports like ours being bypassed more often and we have to start planning for those eventualities now.” In the meantime the department of trade and industry (dti) has indicated the importance of the oil and gas industry to South Africa’s economic growth. Dti director of industrial development, Kishen Pillay, commented: “The dti has a strong working relationship with the South African Oil and Gas Alliance (SAOGA) with the intention of growing the industry’s tremendous potential to contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth and employment creation,” said Pillay. He encourages companies operating in the oil and gas sector to access the dti’s various programmes that are aimed at supporting business venturing into this sector. Experts maintain this is a good strategy for the country since sub- Saharan Africa is one of the fastest growing and highest potential oil and gas areas in the world. INSERT & CAPTION It is about remaining viable in a changing world trade environment. – Sipho Nzuza