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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Although one of the smallest commercial ports in South Africa, the Port of Mossel Bay is seen by stakeholders as an important catalyst for economic growth not only for the town but for the Southern Cape.
This was the central message from a stakeholder engagement meeting hosted in Mossel Bay by the chief executive of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) Shulami Qalinge and her leadership team this week.
The TNPA paid several visits to, among others, the Mossel Bay Municipality and PetroSA and held a breakfast meeting with representatives of local business and the community on Wednesday morning, 22 August, to share ideas on how TNPA may be an enabler for economic growth in the region. Harbour manager Shadrack Tshikalanga peaked everyone's interest when he mentioned the plans for a mixed-use waterfront development for the Port of Mossel Bay, indicating that the first initiatives in this regard will be evident within the next year or two.
"The Port of Mossel Bay is open for discussion," he said, setting the tone for the informative and interactive engagement.
Chief executive Qalinge said TNPA recognises the role of the port in the local economy.
Because of government's Operation Phakisa programme, major upgrades are in store for the port over the next five years, totalling investment of more than R400 million. It is the only South African port that operates two offshore mooring points within its limits.
Slipway
The current slipway and associated infrastructure at the port provide the only repair facilities in the region and serve fishing vessels and the TNPA vessels assigned to the port.
The local fishing industry has welcomed plans to upgrade and restore the current slipway, which will see its capacity increase to 500 tons. This will improve safety and efficiency by accommodating up to four vessels at a time through the construction of two side-slips.
The breakfast meeting with the TNPA leadership was well attended by local business and community leaders.
Although the planned upgrade is now at the feasibility stage, representatives of the local fishing industry welcomed the initiative, saying currently they have to send vessels to Cape Town for repairs. Negotiations and discussions will have to follow to establish how local business can benefit.
Waterfront
"Our vision as TNPA is to transform all our ports into people's ports. We also recently advertised a number of real estate opportunities in the port through which various properties and warehouses are available for port-related commercial activities.
"We have just completed the study into the establishment of a waterfront. The plans include the development of a mixed-use facility with retail, commercial and industrial opportunities depending on the availability of suitable investors." Qalinge emphasised that TNPA would avail the land but would rely on investors to develop the facility.
Cruise ships
"We have in our sights a facility that will enable cruise liner passengers to disembark directly on to the quayside, not having to make use of ferries.
"This is in response to calls from the municipality and the local business community. Such a development will help to provide a world-class experience when visiting Mossel Bay.
"We would love to welcome more tourists to our ports and ultimately our aim is to create smart, safe and secure processing with the infrastructure to promote the economic growth we talk about as well as job creation."
Future mariners
Through Operation Phakisa and based on a service level agreement with PetroSA the Port offers 15 young people SETA-accredited training opportunities.
This is in addition to a special marine training programme for several local youths to create a local pool of trained, skilled people with marine ready capabilities and with mission-critical skills.
Qalinge said the TNPA has adopted a schools programme at both high and primary schools where mathematics and science learning is enhanced.
Watch a video below about Shulami Qalinge expanding on the plans for a commercial waterfront at the port in Mossel Bay:
Watch a video below about Monde Stratu talking about an economic development zone in Mossel Bay:
Special economic development zone
The Eden District municipal manager, Monde Stratu, said implementation of elaborate planning remains the ultimate challenge.
"I am deeply concerned as our country is not in a happy space. The root cause of the turmoil is unemployment. Implementation of plans for economic growth, therefore, becomes the challenge.
"There is a case to be made to work together to establish a special economic zone in Mossel Bay as the whole region will benefit. Mossel Bay and George are the growth anchors for local economic development in the region.
"I am encouraged to hear of the investment to be made into this port, as the port will assist with growth in opportunities for our people.
"The Eden District Municipality is ready to assist, we have a portfolio of properties ready for investment, we have real estate and tourism concessions available to stimulate the economic growth. Work with us to make this region great," he said.
Eden District municipal manager Monde Stratu emphasised the important role the Port of Mossel Bay plays in the establishment of a special economic development zone for the Southern Cape.
Economic partnerships
South Cape Economic Partnership (SCEP) director Paul Hoffman emphasised the important role the port plays in regional economic development as an export hub.
"There is a growing interest in the port as an import/export hub; the east and countries such as the Netherlands are interested in commodities available here, however, the question remains how these will reach their markets.
"Also, aquaculture is seen as an important potential growth sector for food security with a potential for job creation.
"The tourism industry is seeing a growth from creative industries such as the film industry that is increasingly considering the Eden region for film shoots.
"The existing oil and gas industry may be under pressure, but opportunities remain. Both national and international stakeholders are interested in biomass and biogas that may stem from the regional landfill site, fortunately situated close to PetroSA and the port."
Harbour manager Shadrack Tshikalanga (right) was a gracious host to the TNPA leadership, municipal executive and business and community representatives who attended the stakeholder engagement meeting.
Hoffman underscored the importance of an effective, integrated transport network that includes a rail network and said that Transnet's challenge would be to re-establish the rail network between Knysna and the Port, linking it to the Port of Mossel Bay and the George airport. He added that an initiative for containerage would be to use smaller vessels, an opportunity that TNPA is already investigating as a means of port-to-port transport. He stressed the importance for the region to move into manufacturing as a means of job creation and for economic support for manufacturing companies.
Rural outreach
Mossel Bay executive mayor, Alderman Harry Levendal, congratulated Qalinge on the Port of Mossel Bay's focus on rural communities as part of their corporate social investment. "Unlike the past, the relationship between the municipality and the port now speaks of mutual respect and understanding.
"I commend you for reaching out to better the lives of people in rural communities especially, as you have done at Buisplaas recently.
"I thank you for your involvement with the first ever Mayoral Cup that will take place during the forthcoming Sports Festival as this will also serve as an opportunity for athletes from the rural community to excel at sevens rugby and netball." He also thanked the port for its contribution towards the digital classroom in Friemersheim.
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