'Capitalise on KZN's God-given assets'

The KwaZulu-Natal economy was not capitalising enough on its “God-given natural assets” to really become a serious global player in the maritime industry, said Thato Tsautse, CEO of the South African Association of Ship Owners.

Tsautse hailed KZN Premier Zweli Mkhize’s call for KZN to be established as the “Maritime Gateway Province” of Southern Africa in his State of the Province address last week in Pietermaritzburg.

Speaking at the premier’s post-address business breakfast in Durban, Tsautse – who is also the president of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry – said she fully backed the plan.

“I was so excited when I saw page 14 of the premier’s speech, not just as the CEO of the South African Association of Ship Owners, but as president of the Durban Chamber. It is high time that we really start pushing the development of the maritime industry in KZN,” she said.

“I agree with the premier, that we are not capitalising on our God-given natural assets with two natural harbours in Durban and Richards Bay, which boast the largest container and bulk capacities respectively… We can’t lose any more time on this and as industry we need to work with the government to entrench KZN as the maritime hub of Africa,” Tsautse said.

Mkhize said it was good to have the industry’s support, but that needed to go beyond talk and the current players. “I don’t know how many people actually own ships in KZN, but our thinking is to also get entrepreneurs to come in and realise new opportunities in the maritime industry – from shipbuilding and repair to tourism-related businesses. I urge business to play its part in growing the industry and developing much needed skills for it to thrive.”

Delivering his address last week, Mkhize said KZN had missed out on a multibillion-rand industry that would employ thousands of people.

“It’s ironic that KwaZulu-Natal boasts two of the largest ports on the continent, yet has a poorly developed maritime industry… (There is) literally no coastal activities in maritime tourism, ship building and repair, fisheries and maritime support services,” he said.

“KZN intends to launch a Provincial Maritime Cluster which will comprise strategic stakeholders (including the private sector, particularly emerging businesses, state-owned enterprises, learning and research institutions) which will be critical to harnessing the full potential of the sector.

“The province will host a Maritime Industry Conference in 2012 and will develop an Integrated Maritime Sector Development Strategy to ensure optimal exploitation of opportunities arising out of this sector,” he said.

Tsautse said KZN had a chance to grow its ship repair and maintenance capability, with the Port of Durban alone having 4 273 port calls in the past year.

“This creates a market for any vessel in distress as well as any vessel that requires routine maintenance.“

Barry Meehan, organiser of the Durban International Boat show, said while organisations such as Trade and Investment KZN were pushing the development of the maritime sector, more needed to be done. “From a boat-building perspective, this sub-sector of maritime has largely been neglected in KZN. A lot more can be done, especially because of the revenue-earning and job-creation potential. We are working with the government to promote this sector and are glad to see maritime beginning to be taken more seriously.”

Charmayne Pountney, CEO of the Zululand Chamber, also welcomed the greater focus on the maritime sector in the premier’s speech. “This bodes well for Richards Bay and Zululand. Acknowledgement of our call for a container handling facility in Richards Bay was also noteworthy.”