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Transport Minister, Mr Fikile Mbalula, will officially open and officiate virtually the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP) Mid-Term Review Conference aimed at building faster momentum for economic growth, transformation and job creation in the maritime sector.

South Africa is currently implementing the CMTP as a blueprint for maritime growth and excellence with the key objective to improve the socio-economic conditions of society by creating much needed jobs, reducing poverty and developing critical skill in the sector.

Emphasis and focus on girl and boy children being continuously exposed to careers in the maritime industry at a young age form a critical tenet of the CMPT.

The Minister will be joined by Deputy Minister, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga during the three-day hybrid, mid-term review Conference which will be attended by maritime transport industry captains, policy developers and implementers, research institutions and academics, senior government and industry representatives, private sector and non-governmental organisations across the sector.

Ms Chikunga will also visit Robertsons and Caine ship building yard, which is the leading boat building for export Market in Cape Town. For more information on the shipyard visit, please contact Sam Monareng on the contact details provided under the RSVP section.

Among others, the Conference will consider:

• the recommendations and proposed changes to the National Ports Act, 2005;
• vulnerability regarding cyber-attacks on key infrastructure and implications on the whole economy;
• platforms to amendment existing legislation such as the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2021 and the recently published Marine Pollution Prevention Amendment Bill that is already in parliament; 
• the establishment of a national shipping carrier as a strategic pillar to revive the maritime transport industry 

The CMTP Implementation Plan has declared that 2020-2030 be regarded a Maritime Decade with the overall aim being to earn South Africa the status of International Maritime Centre by the end of the decade.

Maritime transport is the critical vein of the South African economy, as the bulk of trade, an estimated 80% to 90% is sea borne and moves into commercial ports of the country,

The CMTP envisions the development of a maritime transport sector in South Africa that will build on its historic potential and contribute to economic growth, new business development, entrepreneurship and employment creation opportunities in the country.

Issued by National Department of Transport