Moves to link southern
African ports through short
sea shipping services have,
it seems, failed to build up
steam.
With most of the ports in
the region unable to handle
the larger container vessels –
and not having the volumes
to justify regular calls – there
have been numerous initiatives
aimed at encouraging
investment in providing
services to link the ports.
At present they are linked
within countries through
cabotage and feeder services
provided by various lines.
This has made it difficult
to build a business case for
investment in smaller vessels
to link the ports.
Since the publication of the
draft South African Maritime
Transport Policy in 2008, the
South African government
has been trying to encourage
the establishment of a locally
flagged short sea shipping
service.
It is seen as a prime BBBEE
business opportunity.
Short sea shipping has also
been identified as a priority by
the Organisation of African
Unity.
At present the only line
offering dedicated short sea
shipping in the region is
Ocean Africa Container Lines
(OACL), 100% of which was
acquired from Safmarine in
2012 by Grindrod.
CAPTION
OACL is at present the only line offering dedicated short sea shipping in the region.
