Boat-building park for KZN

KwaZulu-Natal’s drive to make waves in the ocean economy will see a multimillion-rand boatbuilding park established at Durban Port Bayhead, President Jacob Zuma, pictured, said yesterday.

Speaking in Durban, Zuma said the R250 million project has the capacity to produce 150 boats annually, mostly for export. The park would be part of the existing maritime vessel industrial complex.

“The boatbuilding sector has long been recognised in our strategic plans as a major opportunity to stimulate new investment, exports and job creation,” he said, adding that the “world-class” park would produce and repair leisure and commercial vessels.

It will be the largest boat building facility in southern Africa and will also have a marine skills development centre.

The address was a report-back to stakeholders on Operation Phakisa, launched in 2014 to fasttrack the National Development Plan in order to boost growth and create employment. Over 6 500 jobs have been created through the ocean economy segment of Operation Phakisa.

“Thus far we have unlocked investments totalling R24.6 billion, with a government contribution of R15 billion.”

Infrastructure development had been the largest contributor to total investment in the ocean economy. “The ocean sectors contribute about 4.4% to [gross domestic product] GDP, with the largest contribution coming from the value chains,” he said.

“We are building specialised super tugboats at Southern African Shipyards [in Durban]. This is a R1.4 billion project. This is a demonstration of South Africa’s capability to build specialised vessels.”

Seven tugboats have been built as part of this project and about 500 jobs had been created.

“The SA Navy aims to build a specialised hydrographic survey vessel to map the sea floor, an investment of about R1.4 billion.”

Zuma listed developments in the port in Port Elizabeth, including the acquisition of a boat hoist “which made a significant impact on the fishing industry”.

In Cape Town, the R660 million Burgan Fuel Storage Facility has begun operating and will augment the fuel supply in the province and a concession to build and operate the Cruise Terminal has been awarded to V&A Waterfront Company and would increase the number of cruiseliners docking in that port. – ANA