Maritime game changers in South Africa

Abstract

The maritime transport remains the critical vein of the South African economy. The bulk of the South African trade is seaborne and goes through the South African seaport system. Thus, the development and maintenance of new and existing port infrastructure within the South African coast remains a priority for the South African government. Evidently in recent years there has been much added effort on the transformation of the South African maritime sector by the South African government. The ultimate aim by South African government is to ensure inclusive growth of the economy through comprehensive participation of black business industrialists. Amongst many efforts, in 2019 the South African government awarded a black-owned company called Mnambithi Group what is known as the “section 79” directive to build a 100 000m3 bulk liquid storage terminal at The Port of Durban. When the bulk terminal storage is finally built, it will be the first black owned terminal in the history of South African and will have a positive impact on the entire value chain and in terms of the country’s transformation agenda. This presentation focuses on the Mnambithi Group services, transformation agenda of the maritime sector and the economic benefits of the planned 100 000m3 bulk liquid storage terminal at The Port of Durban.