‘Squeezed’ ship repair facilities turn away business

Competition creates upgrade urgency
RAY SMUTS
THE Port of Cape Town can ill afford to neglect its world-class ship servicing and marine surveyor expertise and needs to keep in step with competition, warns maritime lawyer Arthur James. The head of Maritime Law at the legal firm Webber Wentzel Bowens in Cape Town, he stresses the Mother City port runs the risk of being “sidelined”, costing jobs and economic growth, if capacity is not expanded soon. James points to the necessity of upgrade facilities, given competition from the likes of Walvis Bay (boasting a floating drydock), Durban, Luanda (Angola) and Maputo (Mozambique) – particularly important in light of increased oil exploration off the West African coast. “Right now, the facility is stretched to capacity and we are passing up work. The port therefore needs to capitalise on deep sea oil prospecting and related rigs and vessel servicing requirements off the West African coast, especially Angola.