Fikile Mbalula speaks at an event. File Picture: Fikile Mbalula.
Durban -Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has called for increased investment in research and innovation in greener technologies for the maritime sector, saying there is an abundance of renewable energy potential in South Africa.
He was delivering an address at the World Maritime Day event held under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre yesterday.
The three-day meeting is being attended by delegates from 178 IMO member states who have gathered in Durban to discuss innovative solutions aimed at improving the maritime sector worldwide.
Hosted under the theme “New Technologies for Greener Shipping”, the gathering provides an opportunity for the international community to make concrete contributions and collaborate on innovative and mitigation strategies geared towards addressing the impact of maritime transport on climate change.
Mbalula noted that countries that were doing well economically were the ones that also invested in research and exploring new ways of doing things.
“South Africa will have to accelerate investments in research and innovation for the development of alternative fuels, technology and infrastructure. Leading by example, we have private enterprises, research institutions and ports in our country that are hard at work in a quest to develop low- or zero-carbon fuels like green hydrogen and ammonia, green technologies for ships and port infrastructure,” said the minister.
He added that green technology was central in providing new solutions and opportunities for the improvement of energy and technical efficiencies for sustainable shipping.
While such an initiative would be driven through the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa), which is an implementing agency of the department, the minister stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders.
He added that South Africa was resolute in its efforts to grow a seafaring nation where young men and women would be able to take advantage of the country’s vast maritime resources for both livelihoods and careers.
“Seafaring is an international occupation and seafarers produced by South Africa are able to work on international shipping, where they are highly sought after,” said Mbalula.
The minister pointed out that producing seafarers for international employment would contribute to the reduction of youth unemployment in the country.
He added that it was important for South Africa to take full advantage of its global
positioning.
“The fact that South Africa is located on one of the major shipping routes presents great opportunities to leverage on and become a bunkering hub to supply the international market with green technologies, and zero carbon fuels as our contribution to decarbonising shipping,” said Mbalula.
Some of the topics to be covered during the gathering include:
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, who welcomed the guests at the ICC, said the KZN government would be closely monitoring the discussions during the conference, as the province was keen on exploring opportunities that came with being located along the coast.
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