South Africa has the potential to become a key global bunkering hub – but it will require a change of mindset. That’s the view of maritime stalwart Brian Ingpen who told delegates at the recent International Bunker Industry Association (Ibia) conference in Cape Town that more ships passed by South Africa than the Suez Canal daily, making it the ideal bunkering spot. And Cape Town in particular could become a bunkering hub – with some 29 000 vessels passing the Cape every year. “Yes, some of those bunker here, others call and trade, but a vast amount of vessels just pass us by,” he said. A snapshot of vessels at any given time of the area between Cape Town and Agulhas showcased the opportunity, said Ingpen. “Just last night there were more than 120 vessels at sea between here and Agulhas,” he added. “But we need to entice the ships that pass by our coast to call. We need to bring down port tariffs as a start,” he said. “As an industry we need to change perspectives and perceptions. Ports must be catalysts for growth and the bunkering industry presents a very real opportunity that is currently lost.” Siyamthanda Maya, managing director of South African Marine Fuels (SAMF), agreed. “South Africa, from a geographical point of view, intercepts one of the busiest shipping routes in the world and is considered to be a key strategic bunkering location,” she said. “In addition, the country has a modern infrastructure, regular international flights to most destinations, and regular supply of bunker fuel.” But, she said, rising costs to shipping such as port costs, pilot delays and awaiting berth availability had compelled ship operators to reconsider calling the country’s ports for bunkers. Ingpen suggested that Cape Town could learn from the offshore bunkering that had steadily been increasing in Algoa Bay where vessels were nowadays waiting in queues to be serviced. “Our approach to bunkering and the role it can play has to change,” said Ingpen. “There is a lot of development in Saldanha with plans to have large crude oil storage facilities, yet there are no bunkering facilities in the pipeline. Saldanha bay has expansive anchorage, but where are the ships?” Ingpen said another option for the Cape was to have an offshore bunker facility in False Bay which had a large anchorage area. “There is some fishing happening there and it is occasionally used by the navy. What is the difference between Algoa Bay and False Bay?” Ingpen argued that increasing bunker activities off the Cape coast would boost the economy of the region significantly.
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More ships pass by South Africa than the Suez Canal daily, making it the ideal bunkering spot. – Brian Ingpen