MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Port of Mossel Bay celebrates over 500 years of rich maritime heritage that can be traced back to 3 February 1488 when the Portuguese explorer, Bartholemeu Dias, landed in Munro Bay.
This made the Port of Mossel Bay the first recorded harbour used regularly along the South African coast by European seafarers journeying to the East.
Since then, the Port of Mossel Bay has been instrumental in the positive advancement of three major industries in South Africa - oil and gas, fishing, and tourism. These industries play a significant role in not only the sustenance of the South African economy but also in the alleviation of poverty and the protection of livelihoods in our local communities.
Mossel Bay port manager Shadrack Tshikalange said the Port of Mossel Bay can be described as a dynamite in a small package. "We are the smallest in port in the port system, however, we have managed to immensely contribute to not only the maritime industry but also the South African economy. We have cemented ourselves as a force to be reckoned with and we enthusiastically look forward to our future as a port and other industries we can infiltrate for the greater benefit of our country."
Fishing industry
The Port of Mossel Bay ship repair facility, which was commissioned in 1919 and built during World War I, primarily serves the fishing industry. Fishing operations form part of break bulk commodities at the port and are among South Africa's critical business continuity services aimed at ensuring food security for all citizens. The facility enables loading and off-loading of vessels as well as vessel repairs, which create on average 20 jobs per vessel.
The planned rehabilitation of the facility is in line with the Port of Mossel Bay's commitment towards achieving the strategic goals of Operation Phakisa, which include efficiency and economic improvement by providing technologically modern facilities, increasing the volume and size of vessels handled per year and creating employment opportunities.
Increased vessel handling will also help stimulate local and regional supply chain opportunities and provide a way to expand employment and training opportunities in ship repair and heavy mechanical industry sectors.
Tourism industry
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) plays a major role in sustaining the South African economy through various tourism-boosting activities and strategic partnerships that give each port city the opportunity to enhance and amplify its efforts to market their region as a tourist destination of choice.
Over the years, a number of cruise liners have docked in the bay during cruise season. Because the port doesn't have a cruise liner facility, passengers would be transported via ferries to the walk-on-moorings in the port where they can visit and explore the town. As part of the port development framework, a cruise liner precinct with a fully functional cruise liner facility that can cater for berthing, disembarking and welcoming of passengers will be developed. This will not only cement the port as a tourism pillar in the city, but will also lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs.
The leasing of buildings in the port's recreational area to restaurant owners and other tourist attractions also contributes to the port's efforts of boosting the tourism industry.
Oil and gas industry
TNPA's contribution to the oil and gas industry ties into government's efforts to develop the "ocean economy" through the second phase of its Operation Phakisa and demonstrates its full confidence in the significant role that ports can play in the advancement of the oil and gas industry.
The Port of Mossel Bay is one of the key role players that significantly contributed to two oil and gas exploration projects, namely:
- Brulpadda exploration, which was the first successful exploration in Mossel Bay with the discovery of 57 metres of net gas condensate pay in Lower Cretaceous reservoirs.
- Luiperd exploration project, which led to the discovery of a massive gas reserve that contains a small amount of oil 175km off the southern coast of Mossel Bay.
Despite being the smallest of the commercial ports along the South African coast, the Port of Mossel Bay is the only one that operates two off-shore mooring points within port limits and its location and capabilities make the port a leader in servicing the oil and gas industry.
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