Positioning the Eastern Cape on the global maritime map

A week of high-level engagements in Athens seeks to unlock shipping, investment and trade opportunities for the province

SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane’s diplomatic mission continued this week as he landed in Greece where he aims to establish the province as a credible and competitive destination for maritime investment.

With the Eastern Cape's three strategic ports at Ngqura, Gqeberha and East London forming the core of the pitch, the week-long visit to one of the world's great maritime capitals was timed to coincide with Posidonia 2026, the biennial shipping exhibition that draws governments and industry leaders from across the globe. The ambition was clear: to convert international interest into concrete partnerships, attract sustained investment into the province's oceans economy, and embed the Eastern Cape within the global maritime value chain.

The Premier was welcomed by South Africa's Ambassador to Greece, Lindiwe Msengana-Ndlela and received an official briefing ahead of industry engagements.  

Bunkering and marine services

Attending a event hosted by the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), Mabuyane engaged with Adrian Tolson and Alexander Prokopakis to advance the Eastern Cape's positioning as a hub for global shipping, bunkering and marine logistics. The discussions centred on the strategic value of the province's ports and the opportunities they present for international operators in the bunkering sector.

Later the same day, the Premier met with representatives of Minerva Bunkering and MM Marine Inc to explore concrete areas of collaboration within the oceans economy. The engagement focused on investment opportunities, employment creation and practical pathways to deepen cooperation with leading global shipping and bunkering stakeholders, laying a foundation for future partnerships designed to maximise the potential of the province's maritime assets.

Posidonia 2026

The timing of the visit was deliberate. Posidonia 2026 officially opened on 1 June, bringing together industry leaders, governments and investors responsible for moving the world's trade. The Eastern Cape delegation used the platform to actively profile the province's strategic ports, extensive coastline and oceans economy assets to an international audience of decision-makers.

Premier Mabuyane conducted a full tour of the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition at the Metropolitan Expo, viewing maritime innovations and interfacing with industry leaders. This was followed by a specialised investment information session in the venue's seminar spaces, which brought together a select group of maritime stakeholders to discuss partnerships and industrial growth. The itinerary also included meetings with marine equipment manufacturers and shipping service providers.

Engaging Greek government

A visit to the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping provided an opportunity to engage with international maritime leaders to explore investment opportunities for the province's oceans economy and advance business-to-business partnerships aimed at expanding the Eastern Cape's maritime footprint and strengthening global trade links.

Premier Mabuyane also held a courtesy meeting with Theoharis Theoharis, Greece's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Discussions centred on positioning the Eastern Cape as a prime destination for investment and tourism within the Hellenic market, with particular emphasis on bilateral trade, long-term cooperation and people-to-people relations.

A bilateral meeting with Greece's Deputy Minister of Shipping focused on strategic collaboration in commercial shipping and maritime logistics. Key areas of discussion included joint ventures in ship repair services, maritime technology integration and enhanced port safety mechanisms. The aim was to build operational links between the Eastern Cape's commercial capabilities and Greece's established global seaborne trade infrastructure, with the ports of Ngqura and East London at the centre of the discussions.

Unlocking investment through commerce networks

Another networking session held with with the Hellenic-African Chamber of Commerce and Development at the Piraeus Chamber offices brought together Greek maritime industry stakeholders, financiers and business leaders to examine localised ocean economy investment profiles for the Eastern Cape. The session established direct business-to-business pathways and strategic trade cooperation agreements, with particular focus on opportunities within the Coega Development Corporation and regional special economic zones.

Environmental cooperation

The mission concluded yesterday with a visit to the Hellenic Environmental Centre, where the Premier undertook a formal tour of the facilities and discussed maritime environmental cooperation, sustainable waste management frameworks and eco-efficient port protocols. The session explored the integration of advanced treatment methodologies to modernise waste processing at the province's commercial ports and position the Eastern Cape as a compliant and competitive maritime corridor in line with international green shipping regulations.

PHOTO: Premier Mabuyane conducted a full tour of the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition at the Metropolitan Expo, viewing maritime innovations and interfacing with industry leaders. (PHOTO: Office of the Eastern Cape Premier)

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