">The registration of Vuka Marine’s cargo carrier, the Windsor Adventure, as a South African-flagged vessel was celebrated with fanfare in Port Elizabeth last week.
">This latest addition is the third cargo ship operated by Vuka Marine to be registered under the South African flag and the fifth so far in the registry since launch of the Samsa-driven campaign to revitalise the commercial ship stock registered in South Africa about a decade or so ago.
According to ports regulator Mahesh Fakir, SA relies on an estimated 12 000 foreign vessels to move 96% of its exports – leaving it strategically vulnerable.
As a financial incentive, SA currently offers up to 30% discount on port duties for ships locally registered.
">Vuka Marine is a joint venture between Via Maritime of South Africa and K-Line of Japan. The company is currently moving about 2.5-metric tons of ore per annum, mainly on the first two capesize bulk carriers that it flagged in South Africa in 2015.