MEC Sihle Zikala said, “The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Integrated Maritime Strategy was conceived as a compass to direct the province with respect to the priorities to broaden the
developmental scope of the ocean economy. We have further enlisted maritime as one of the strategic pillars destined to fast track economic development in our province.”

Through the maritime strategy, the Province of KwaZulu-Natal wants to ensure that it:

• Increases competitiveness through infrastructure development, integrated spatial planning and cost reduction
• Promotes sectoral development through the expansion of marine sub-sectors such as aquaculture, oil and gas, marine manufacturing, marine and coastal tourism
• Enhances enterprise development through the promotion of small business, broad based black economic empowerment and provision of funding
• Develops human resources through education, skills development and training, as well as research and knowledge development

The maritime industry has comparative and competitive advantages, and is now at the core of the government plans. Operation Phakisa serves as a practical framework to guide the country towards responsible and sustainable exploitation of the ocean’s wealth.

STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT

The importance of stakeholder involvement, from all spheres in the private and public sectors for the attainment of robust inclusive economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation is well understood. To this end, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs is in the process of establishing a KwaZulu-Natal Maritime Cluster, which will be a platform for the collaborative advancement of Operation Phakisa by private and public sector stakeholders in the provincial maritime industry. This
advancement will be achieved through the implementation of industry-wide programmes and projects with a core focus on the implementation of the KZN Integrated Maritime Strategy and Operation Phakisa.

This special purpose vehicle will, among other priorities, capitalise on existing agreements between, the province, South Africa and other countries. The procurement process for the development of a business plan and the actual establishment of the cluster, which is planned for the end of 2017, is underway. In implementing Operation Phakisa and the KZN Maritime Strategy, a strategic partnership has been formed with Germany. Key areas of focus have been identified as: best practice sharing; the development of various marine subsectors, namely marine manufacturing, marine and coastal tourism, oil and gas, etc.; and the transversal issues of skills development and research.

INCUBATOR PROGRAMME

The Department in collaboration with the KZN Sharks Board is embarking on a robust maritime incubator programme. This is aimed at creating women and youth owned, profitable and sustainable maritime enterprises able to contribute meaningfully to our economy and create jobs for people more so our previously disadvantaged individuals.
The programme, which will be focusing on the various marine subsectors, will commence with the ideation phase, selection of the best business ideas and culminate in the implementation of these business ideas with the aim of amongst other things creating black industrialists. Priorities of the incubator programme are business management and financial management while the critical aspect of mentorship and business support will play a significant part in the programme. The incubator programme will commence shortly in two coastal KZN districts: Ugu and King Cetshwayo.

BUILDING AND REPAIR

Operation Phakisa has resulted in high quality maintenance and repairs to the ship repair facilities at the Port of Durban, with millions of rands having been invested in these facilities. This investment culminated in the dry dock being opened for business in January of last year, which ensures that the port is strategically positioned to capture cargo traffic.

The Port of Richards Bay has been identified through Operation Phakisa as being strategically positioned to undertake ship/rig repairs given its proximity to oil and gas
finds in Africa. Private sector investment is being sought at the Port of Richards Bay and an expression of interest was issued by Transnet last year in respect of ship repair facilities. This is in response to initiative seven of the marine transport and manufacturing lab of Operation Phakisa.

Southern African Shipyards is currently building nine tugboats for Transnet to the value of R1.5 billion. The contract created approximately 200 additional jobs and more than 60 apprentice artisans in training as well as three marine engineers. The project is now 81% complete and still on track to deliver the ninth and final tug early in 2018, on time and within budget. The latest tug to be built â€" named UKHOZI â€" will serve at the Port of Richards Bay. She is KwaZulu-Natal’s first new tug among four planned for the province’s ports. Richards Bay is expecting another of these relatively small but powerful vessels used to guide visiting ships safely into port by pushing or towing them, while Durban will also receive two.

The Ethekwini Maritime Cluster was funded and supported in an endeavour to deliver upon Operation Phakisa and the various outcomes achieved included:

• 30 SMMEs being trained
• 30 graduates being placed in the maritime industry
• Hosting of the first Annual Durban maritime summit
• Educator development for maritime
• 10 SMMEs enrolling on the maritime incubator programme

MARINE PROTECTION

In the endeavour to capitalise on maritime opportunities we must ensure that the integrity of the marine environment is maintained and that effective marine protection and governance is exercised.

There are four marine protected areas (MPA) proposed for KwaZulu-Natal and these include; the expansion of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, uThukela MPA, expansion and rezoning of Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks MPA. All four proposed MPA were gazetted for comment, the MPA Network was developed and proposals gazetted for comment, stakeholder engagements and public workshops were held during the public comment period and additional forum meetings were held during this period. The KwaZulu-Natal forums were developed through Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and consisted of stakeholder representatives from all interested and affected sectors. The comment period has closed and stakeholder comments are currently being reviewed and necessary changes are being made to the MPAs.

Maritime strategies are being developed for two of KZN’s coastal district municipalities, with one strategy already having been completed. This will ensure coastal districts and their local municipalities not only prioritise maritime in their integrated development plans but also that Operation Phakisa and the KZN Maritime Strategy mandates are acted upon throughout the province. Further to this, local economic development officials in the King Cetshwayo District Municipality and its local municipalities have been trained in maritime strategies as they are the custodians of maritime economic development in their areas of operation.