Zuma call for vessels to exploit coastal advantage

DELIVERING his State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday night, President Jacob Zuma said the government was concerned South Africa did not own vessels while the country was surrounded by about 3 000km of coastline.

“Through the oceans economy segment of Operation Phakisa, we are trying to solve this challenge. I am pleased that two bulk carrier vessels have been registered in Port Elizabeth and a third tanker in Cape Town under the South African flag,” Zuma said.

This follows the adoption of a public- private partnership model for port infrastructure development by Transnet National Ports Authority, the government announced yesterday.

The Operation Phakisa Big Fast results methodology was launched in 2014 and implemented in the ocean economy, health, education and mining sectors to implement policies and programmes better, faster and more effectively.

The methodology was first applied by the Malaysian government in the delivery of its economic transformation programme.

Another positive Operation Phakisa development had been the launch of a fuel storage facility in Cape Town, bringing an investment of R660 million. – ANA