The introduction of a domestic South African fleet for port-to-port shipments was high on the agenda at a celebration of the international ‘Day of the Seafarer’ in Cape Town on Monday.
Department of Transport acting chief director general for maritime, Dumisani Ntuli, said a policy revision was currently under way to shake up the country’s maritime sector - specifically shipping - with a view to facilitating the establishment of a domestic fleet of vessels to take over port-to-port transport.
Primarily this was to ensure greater participation of South Africa in the shipping sector involving its own people, he said.
Ntuli acknowledged, however, the urgent need to address the issue of already qualified seafarers whose qualifications as well as related experience did not enjoy recognition by the country’s education system in terms of the South African Qualifications Authority.
He said a task team involving appropriate representations from relevant stakeholders would be set up to fast-track the process.
The quality of young people entering the profession would also require a re-evaluation, he added, since some were either ill-prepared or simply not suitable for the type of work.
Currently, it emerged, there was a high drop-out rate of maritime sector education students - especially cadets - once they became fully employed at sea.
The Cape Town celebration was one of several events held nationwide – the other two in Durban and Port Elizabeth.
