Floating dock launched
Major boost for shipping sector
AR300-MILLION floating dry dock has officially been launched in Durban, promising to give the city and South African shipping industries a major economic boost.
The Dormac 1 was launched at a traditional maritime naming ceremony by its owners, ship repair company, Dormac Marine and Engineering.
Managing director, Chris Sparg, said: “This asset will go a long way towards meeting the demand for ship repair in South Africa’s busiest port.”
The dry dock, the first new ferro-concrete dock to be brought into use in Africa, and the purpose-built 175m quay was expected to add to the port’s ship repair capacity.
“Up until now, Dormac has been turning away between four and seven ships every month because of the lack of ship repair facilities,” Sparg said, “but the new dock vastly increases Dormac’s docking capacity and flexibility and will enhance the existing port docking offering.”
Sparg forecast executing an additional 45 dockings per year – “a very significant capacity increase”.
The dock is ready for operation and already has six docking orders lined up this month.
The new floating dock, which requires a ready supply of skilled labour, will create an additional 80 new direct jobs with spin-offs to Dormac’s business partners who will also create additional jobs.
The firm used the naming ceremony to introduce its apprenticeship and learnership class of 2016, a group of 33 artisans, many of whom will work at the new dock.
Shortage
When deciding to resurrect its new building capability this year, Dormac was faced with a massive shortage of welding skills and it became imperative that the company embark on an intensive skill-development programme.
Speaking at the launch, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said the ship and boat manufacturing industry in South Africa had a great opportunity to supply and service sub-Saharan Africa with working vessels as required by state agencies for various activities, such as maritime patrol vessels to combat piracy.
About 12 000 ships called at South Africa’s ports each year, while more than 30 000 sailed along the South African coastline annually.
“The ship repair industry is estimated at above R1 billion in Durban in normal trading conditions.
“This is with all docks well maintained and working, as well as all other challenges addressed.
“Dormac 1 will go a long way towards meeting the demand for ship repair in South Africa’s busiest harbour,” Davies said.
South Africa’s maritime economy could generate an estimated GDP contribution of R129bn to R177bn by 2033 and create 600 000 jobs.
“South Africa is ideally positioned to serve the EastWest cargo traffic and the booming African offshore oil and gas industry through marine manufacturing, which includes ship and rig repair, refurbishment, and boat building.
“Despite this competitive advantage, we currently capture only one percent of the global market of ship repair and refurbishment,” he said.