Maritime transport policy draft available for all to see

AS PROMISED, the Department of Transport has placed its updated Draft White Paper on South African Maritime Transport Policy on its website. Industry stakeholders are currently preparing their comments. (FTW September 5, 2008.) “The White Paper is one instalment in policy formulation around the maritime industry,” says transport minister Jeff Radebe. “There is recognition that numerous other policies related to maritime should be further developed, and the issues related to these developments should include risks, shipbuilding, hydrographical responsibilities, port control, immigration, fishing, mortgage ranking, coordination, environmental responsibilities, cabotage etc. There may well be a need for a broader national forum or a cluster that will have to look at the maritime issues holistically,” he said. The draft policy document is intended to integrate maritime transportation into the overall transport strategies of the DOT. “Indeed, it has been a glaring omission that the mode that carries the bulk of South Africa’s trade (over 95%) and is conducted through seven commercial ports has not been integrated into the greater transportation family,” he added.