The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) has awarded a R1.4-billion tender to a local shipbuilding company which is expected to create sustainable jobs in South Africa’s “ocean economy”, said trade and industry minister, Dr Rob Davies.
The dti has announced that SMIT Amandla Marine has partnered with Damen Shipyards Cape Town to build two vessels to carry out supply and support work for the De Beers Group's offshore diamond mining activities in Port Nolloth in the northern Cape.
According to Davies, the tender will lead to an investment of R 1.2 billion, creating more than 500 jobs and boosting the local shipbuilding industry.
“The procurement of the tug boats will go a long way towards creating investment opportunities in the ocean economy and goes to show that there’s no need to procure vessels abroad when we can build quality ones locally,” said Davies.
He added that government was committed to growing and supporting local manufacturers in the marine industry to help them stay competitive and sustain jobs.
