OPL sector comes under the spotlight

New regulations could soon apply

SOUTH AFRICA: A maritime security sub-committee looking at improving and growing the Off-Port Limits (OPL) sector in South Africa met at the beginning of the Month in Durban to discuss issues relating to infrastructure, minimum standards, regulation and safety.

Chaired by Ravi Naicker of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the sub-committee also includes representatives from the Border Management Agency (BMA), South African Police Services (SAPS), Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), Security South Africa (SSA), Department of Transport (DoT) and the Department of Health (DOH).

Members of the committee spent the day prior to their meeting with local OPL operator, Servest Marine, where they were given an overview of the sector to help provide context for further discussions. The group was also invited to board one of Servest’s vessels for a short trip outside of the harbour to get a better understanding of the services offered and what they entail.

Spending the day within the industry provided important insights and included a presentation on how OPL operators manage safety with their own standard operating procedures as well as on the administrative processes that are required before a vessel can leave or enter the port.

Some discussion between the sub-committee and Servest also highlighted current challenges including the inconsistency of requirements between ports and the need to promote a seamless operating structure.

It was evident from Servest’s presentation that the sector has the potential to grow given the number of passing global vessel traffic, and that this growth would result in benefits for the local economy in terms of additional operators, jobs and service offerings.

The following day’s meeting sought to align government processes and procedures for effective coordination of OPL operations. The Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy clearly outlines that the DoT must ensure provision of safety and security measures through constant review of legal framework.

This mandate promotes a multi-agency coordination model and allows broader engagements with government agencies, maritime industry as well as port users. A holistic approach is required to harness opportunities within the sector.

The sub-committee will provide recommendations to the strategic committee for consideration during review of legislation. However, continuous engagement must continue with the industry to ensure that appropriate and effective, yet implementable measures and standards are developed.

Minimum standards and training

Discussion around the need to institute minimum standards of operation and training is likely to see some sort of top-down implementation of safety standards that the committee believes will improve the country’s image as an OPL service provider.

SAMSA has already weighed in in this regard having issued a Marine Notice last year stipulating requirements for vessels operating within the sector.

Given that the crew on board these vessels are regulated by minimum training standards for the vessels that they operate and the distance they sail from shore – there is also already a degree of regulation overseeing the minimum standards of competency onboard.

Some debate, however, focused on additional training aimed specifically at the type of operations undertaken within OPL operations including movement of cargo to and from vessels at sea as well as the transfer of crew via the pilot’s ladder.

The need to mitigate potential risks in terms of both safety as well as national security was also high on the agenda.

Infrastructure

Having visited the quayside used by two of the operators in Durban, the sub-committee discussed the option of establishing dedicated OPL berths within the ports.

Discussions centered on the need to create an ISPS facility that would include an adequate infrastructure for receiving incoming and outgoing crew. This would allow for the scanning of luggage and the immigration processes associated with people coming into and leaving the country.

A dedicated facility could also provide mooring space as well as craneage for loading and offloading cargo.

The need for border law enforcement agencies including SAPS, customs, port health, agriculture and immigration to be available to the industry was emphasised and the establishment of a dedicated berth was tabled as a viable solution.

Funding and management

Some talk around the impact that the management of the sector would have on the available resources of the various government stakeholders’ lead to a discussion on how this could be effectively funded without imposing detrimental fees on the operators.

In fact, the need to promote a cost effective, world-class OPL service underpinned most of the deliberations. It is clear that the intention is to foster growth in this sector that has the very real potential to create both direct and indirect economic opportunities within the blue economy.

The way forward will necessarily require the input of both the private and government sectors to ensure that a balanced approach is adopted to regulation, training, standards and costs for the overall benefit of the sector as a whole.