Opening up the maritime dialogue for 2024

Maritime Industry Dialogue schedule addresses key issues

SOUTH AFRICA: Maritime Review Africa has five strategic conversations planned for their Maritime Industry Dialogue sessions scheduled from February to April that aim to address a number of key historic issues that continue to impact various maritime sectors.

After a year of some setbacks in 2023 including not being elected to the International Maritime Organisation’s Council in December, South Africa’s ambitions to become an International Maritime Centre by 2030 require a consistent commitment to facilitating maritime excellence through legislation, inter-governmental cooperation as well as the development of appropriate scarce skills.

The first session planned for early February 2024 asks the question: What is South Africa’s 2024 Maritime Gameplan? It’s time to get frank about what should be prioritised for the New Year and engage on items that need to have clear deadline dates including the promulgation of maritime legislation, port performance and authority control.

In addition, with the 10^th anniversary of the launch of Operation Phakisa on the horizon, the need to measure and monitor the ocean economy is more important than ever.

Having kicked off the year with a big picture view of the country’s gameplan, a series of three dialogues will host conversations about the ocean economy specific to the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal respectively over the remainder of February and into March.

Each session will focus on areas of specific potential for the region and discuss how local government, industry stakeholders and national government can work together to ensure a growing ocean economy.

Going into the second quarter of the year, the Maritime Industry Dialogue will turn to the topic of Ports and Procurement.

The South African port sector has a history of under-performing. This session will look at the impact that procurement processes play in this and ask whether this is being adequately addressed to ensure greater efficiencies going forward.

Official dates for the sessions will be announced in January 2024 and sessions are open to all interested stakeholders at no cost.

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