Protecting and promoting South Africa’s burgeoning blue economy
By 2033 it is expected to provide up to a million new jobs
South Africa is surrounded by vast oceans with immense untapped potential — a resource that the government says has the potential to contribute up to R177-billion to the country’s GDP and create over one million jobs over the course of the next decade. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), coastal goods and services alone contribute 35% of South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP). Conservation of these marine resources cannot be separated from human survival or economic development.
The oceans economy refers to the sum of the commercial activities of ocean-based industries, including goods, services and assets of marine ecosystems. This makes it both a micro-economy within communities and a macro-economy that encompasses many crucial sectors such as mining, transport, energy, manufacturing, tourism and agriculture.
The global pandemic has, over the past two years, affected every aspect of life, and the maritime sector did not escape the impact of Covid-19. The theme for this year’s World Maritime Day, which was observed on 29 September, shines a light on the importance of ocean-based industries, while focusing on solutions to rebuild the sector in a more environmentally-friendly, sustainable way. The day seeks to raise awareness about international maritime industries and acknowledge the sector’s contribution toward the global economy, with a focus on shipping practices, ocean-based operations and the protection of the marine environment.
Developing countries are doing amazing work in this field, and need continued support to promote inclusive innovation and the uptake of new technologies. South Africa is committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), and the maritime industry has a vital role to play if these goals are to be realised. SDG 13 and 14 speak directly to climate action and the sustainable use of oceans and marine resources, SDG 9 focuses on industry, innovation and infrastructure, and SDG 17 highlights the importance of partnerships and implementation to achieve these collective milestones.
Exploring ocean-based career pathways and critical skills for future sustainability
The ship repair and maintenance industry is valued globally at between $30-billion and $40-billion, of which South Africa already contributes $1.5-billion to $2-billion — an impressive 5% of the global market share.
As a strategic African hub for maritime activities, its world-class technologies, skills and infrastructure, and its proximity to offshore drilling and exploration sites around Africa, South Africa is a compelling choice for ship and rig maintenance, oil and gas repairs and for the world’s shipping operators.
In March 2014, cabinet approved the piloting of the Malaysian Big Fast Results (BFR) methodology. It was rebranded Operation Phakisa when it was launched in South Africa to demonstrate the state’s urgency to deliver.
Operation Phakisa - Oceans Economy is a priority programme that the South African Government believes can grow the ocean economy’s contribution to the country’s GDP to between R129-billion and R177-billion by 2033, or 250% to 350% of its present value. This is expected to provide up to a million new
jobs.the first implementation was led by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) to kickstart and unlock the economic potential of South Africa’s oceans.
The sectoral efforts and continual industry upgrading has already experienced a rising interest in investment opportunities for shipping and logistics companies, stevedores, vessel builders, maintenance and repair companies, back-of-port operations and construction consortiums.
World-class workforce underpinned by world-class education
This talent base is sustained by an extensive maritime education sector: investors in the blue economy rely on a trained and educated workforce to deliver on their projects and business plans. South Africa caters to every level of the industry’s educational needs, from short courses to vocational and trade skills, all the way to Phd-level studies.
Because the ocean economy is of strategic importance to South Africa, over 90 institutions around the country offer maritime-related programmes, building and maintaining the critical mass of skilled people that the sector’s successful businesses depend on. Subsequently, skills development has been identified as one of the key contributors to the growth of the ocean economy.
South Africa offers world-class education, training and certification to support the maritime industry, ranging from high school subjects to university qualifications, including internationally recognised training programmes accredited in accordance with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) conventions. Maritime studies are a strategic area for skills development in South Africa, with subjects like Maritime Economics and Nautical Science now being introduced at some high schools.
Students come from across the African continent to to benefit from South Africa’s wide range of maritime and marine-related degree programmes that are offered by public universities, as well as training programmes in subjects that support the wider ocean economy such as civil and mechanical engineering, law, medicine, economics and business studies.
The South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) was established in 2014 in response to a growing demand from the maritime sector to coordinate skills development, training, education and research. It offers technical and vocational training, with courses that cover a myriad of opportunities in different fields: Shipping and Transport; Marine Resources that includes fishing, pharmaceuticals, aquaculture and offshore energy and mining; Marine Tourism; Operational Support Services; Manufacturing and Construction; Ship Repair and Maintenance; and Business Services, which incorporate maritime-specialised professionals within the banking, legal, insurance, ICT and consulting domains. Finally, the Public Interest cluster looks at public maritime functions and services like maritime regulatory and naval defence, law enforcement, and emergency and disaster management.
Skills development is an important enabler to ensure the industry does not get left behind as technological advancements accelerate at a breakneck pace. The World Maritime University has identified some fourth industrial revolution (4IR) competencies that are critical going forward; these include data analysis, automation, cybersecurity, computer programming, simulation and robotics.