Cargo ship signals growth in SA shipping
R750 000 VAT inclusive for a one-bedroom unit and R950 000 for a two-bedroom apartment.”
Rabie Property Group – the developer of the burgeoning Century City precinct – has been responsible for many major residential projects in the Western Cape and brings more than 35 years’ experience to the project.
Rabie managing director Leon Cohen said the company will be applying some of the lessons learnt over the years in the rollout of Burgundy Estate which, because of some confusion with a similarly named development in Brackenfell, is to be rebranded Burgundy Estate Cape Town.
“The development will include more green, private open spaces, great landscaping and other communal amenities.
“This will create lifestyle estates that will offer an improved quality of life to families while still providing great value for money,” he said.
Cohen said the company was looking at rolling out larger residential schemes than have been done to date as these would introduce an economy of scale which would make it possible to provide extra amenities such as security, swimming pools, clubhouses and playparks but which will still be affordable.
Thomas added that there were some other exciting initiatives – both within the estate and on neighbouring land abutting the N7 – that would add to the appeal of Burgundy Estate Cape Town. PLANS are in place to develop South Africa’s locally owned commercial shipping fleet, following the announcement last week that the transport department, supported by the SA Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa), has welcomed the Cape Orchid, the first merchant vessel flying the country’s flag.
The South African government helped facilitate negotiations for acquiring the vessel, Samsa said.
More than 80 percent of goods imported were transported by sea. Yet, until the registration of the Cape Orchid, the country’s ship register remained empty.
“The Cape Orchid will be a boost to our maritime economy – although owned in the private sector, government supports this initiative, as registering the vessel here will create jobs. This ship is destined for Asia, laden with iron ore. She has also taken on board three maritime cadets who will conclude their sea time aboard the vessel,” Samsa’s statement said.
“This registration is among the intended outcomes of Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) engagement to increase trade and co-operation. We are intent on increasing the number of South African ships on the register,” Samsa chief executive Tsietsi Mokhele said.
The government, through Samsa, wanted to stimulate the maritime industry for employment creation purposes, and growing and developing the maritime economy, he added.
The ship is owned by Vuka Marine, a South African joint venture company between Via Maritime Holdings of South Africa and Hong Kong-based Japanese firm K-Line. Another vessel, the Cape Enterprise, will also be registered in the coming weeks.
Before the Cape Orchid was registered there were no locally registered merchant ships. AP Moller-Maersk acquired Safmarine in 1999, and Grindrod’s shipping line was registered in Singapore. South Africa did not have domestic shipping to carry its more than 260 million tons of cargo a year – unlike its Brics trading partners, which continued to expand their fleets, Samsa said.
“South Africa is well placed geographically to benefit from rising trade between Brics members, and for increased trade into the rest of Africa.
“With the department of transport, Samsa was able and continues to provide the opportunity for strategic partnerships with maritime stakeholders to spearhead a maritime development agenda for South Africa and Africa,” Mokhele said. – ANA