New initiative aims to give SA more benefits from shipping

RAY SMUTS STEPS WILL be taken to include the shipping of cargo to and from the country’s ports in the affirmative procurement of the South African Liquid Fuels, Mining and Maritime Charters. It’s part of an initiative to ensure that South Africa derives more benefits from shipping, minerals and energy affairs minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said in Cape Town recently. She was talking at the formalisation of the strategic investment by Japanese ship owner Sanko Steamship Co of Tokyo, in two South African companies, Marine Bulk Carriers (MBC) and Marine Crew Services (MCS). Mlambo-Ngcuka says South Africa has for traditional reasons had little influence over the shipping of its cargoes and that it may be necessary to take policy and regulatory steps to rectify this. “We have noted with great interest the efforts by MBC and MCS not only to gain access for South Africa in the shipping of bulk cargoes but also to utilise this to train and develop skills among young South Africans and place them in the maritime field. Sanko’s investment is therefore welcomed as a major step forward to achieve these goals.” Sanko presently operates a fleet of more than 100 bulk carriers, tankers and LPG gas carriers and its president Takeshi Matsui has pledged an ongoing commitment to doing business with South Africa, at the same time guaranteeing 50 training berths for South Africans on its vessels.