Deputy transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has heaped praise on the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) for its speedy facilitation of the registration of SA-flagged cargo vessels.
She was speaking during a Presidential Imbizo event held at the port of Saldanha on Monday.
Ship registry is among priorities identified under Operation Phakisa (Ocean Economy) launched a year ago.
The first of the three private sector trade vessels now carrying the country’s flag was registered in September 2015, followed soon thereafter by two others.
“We now want to see 50 more registered and we want to know from the institution how soon we can have those 50 on our books,” she said.
