10th National Maritime Conference and Exhibition

Resolutions

Resolutions from the 10th National Maritime Conference – April 2007

The following resolutions have received the assent of all the members of the Steering Committee on behalf of the Conference.

1. Resolution:
That the Departments of Trade and Industry, Public Enterprises and Transport be requested to pursue policies that promote competition in the ports in order to encourage higher efficiency and so increase international trade through lower supply chain costs as well as the rate of growth in the economy.
Suggested by: Mr F Scheder-Bieschin

2. Resolution:
That the Department of Trade and Industry be requested to promote the export of cargo inclusive of c.i.f by explaining to exporters the benefits for their firms, as well as the national economy, and by assisting them to understand the negotiations and procedure involved.
Suggested by: Ms N Sithole, Spoornet and Dr HC van Niekerk, Clarksons

3. Resolution:
That the various maritime associations as well as major firms in the maritime industry be advised by the Conference that the representation and participation of blacks in the maritime industry must still be advanced; that a great deal still needs to be done to address the issues of the transformation charter; that strategies to create awareness of those issues and to encourage and support infant black-empowered undertakings in the industry need to be developed; that established firms in the industry are expected to take the lead in advancing those strategies, with support by the Government, for the development of the maritime industry; and that constraints in such development and ways to deal with such constraints must to be identified.
Suggested by: Ms G Leket, Dept of Trade and Industry

4. Resolution:
That as the draft statement on Maritime Transport Policy in course of preparation focuses on one facet of maritime policy only, albeit an important one, other issues of maritime functionality such as minerals utilization and exploration, marine recreation, maritime employment, other maritime-related industry, fisheries, marine pollution and coastal protection and security; should also be taken into account in the formulation of national maritime policy; and :
That a national forum serving the complete spectrum of nationally common maritime issues, including, for example, maritime training, government policy directives (asgiSA), national intelligence, maritime law, maritime risk, shipbuilding, fishing, defence, hydrographical charting (including publications), ports, port state control, maritime safety and comprising representation from at least the following bodies: DOT, SAMSA, DFA, DHA, DEA&T, DTI, NPA, SARS, SANDF, SAPS, NSRI, DOL, DOM&E, be established : and
That the initiative for doing so be taken by the maritime industry (as no government department could do so on its own authority), with the purpose of seeking a directive by the Cabinet for the formulation of an inclusive national maritime policy.
Suggested by: SA Navy

5. Resolution:
That the Department of Trade and Industry be requested to develop a new shipbuilding and industrial marine policy framework that focuses on opportunity, growth and innovation in those niche markets where South Africa can compete and which recognizes the value of marine transportation as an important industrial activity with environmental as well as economic benefits.
Suggested by: Mr P Maharaj, KZN Shipbuilding cluster

6. Resolution:
That the Department of Transport be requested to amend the mortgage ranking in the Admiralty Jurisdiction Act in line with other responsible maritime regimes in order to remove one of the objections to the registration of ships on the SA Ship Registry
Suggested by: Capt B Watt, Retired CEO SAMSA

7. Resolution:
That the Department of Trade and Industry be requested to reinvigorate the Corridor Performance Monitoring System ( previously implemented in the chemical sector) for all key sectors of the economy in order to monitor the logistics chains that are increasing vital in ensuring the export sectors ability to compete globally and to support their management.
Suggested by the DG DPE,Ms Portia Molefe

9th National Maritime Conference

Formulation and implementation of the resolutions

  1. To call for a return to an open, transparent Spoornet tariff, published and freely available but without losing the option to negotiate confidential contract rates. Suggested by Mr Bentley Cook. It was agreed that the resolution should be forwarded to Spoornet with a copy to Mr Cook and that it was up to Spoornet to decide whether they wanted to implement the resolution.
  2. Conference calls on the Minister of National Education to retain Maritime Study A and Maritime Studies B in the core curriculum for secondary education in grades 10 to 12. Suggested by Mr Brian Ingpen. It was decided that the conference secretaries should write a letter to TETA, all the schools concerned and the Department of Education to show the support of the industry for the resolution.
  3. That consideration be given to re-establishing a Maritime Advisory Board to advise Government on maritime matters generally, the Board to be composed of persons having appropriate expertise and experience in relation to maritime matters and in related fields. The Board’s purpose will be to provide Government with a formal advisor structure capable of informing and influencing Government decision making on maritime matters. Suggested by Mr C Briesch. It was decided that the best way to implement this resolution would be to convince government to appoint a committee on an ad hoc basis to participate in making decisions affecting the maritime sector.
  4. To: Support the NDOT in their initiatives in formulating an integrated maritime policy and ensure that ALL stakeholders are involved and mechanisms are put in place to ensure Agenda 2010 is meaningful. Suggested by Mr EV Neilson, Society of Master Mariners. This resolution was not supported by the conference.
  5. Urge TETA (Maritime Chamber) to develop unit standards on port security within the next 12 months. Suggested by Anonymous. It was agreed that the resolution be changed to read “Standards on port security should be developed” without mentioning TETA and that it should be sent to the Department of Labour for forwarding to the appropriate division of SETA.
  6. That one accountable body within the Department of Transport is appointed to ensure that the peripheral issues/matters integral to the implementation of the proposed tonnage tax regime are given high priority and progressed swiftly, within a time farm of ± 10 months from beginning to end. Suggested by Ms Terri Rawson - Safmarine. It was noted by the committee that Ms Rawson has taken it upon herself to ensure that the industry pursues the implementation of this resolution.
    1. To support tonnage tax initiative and formulate industry experts to work with the Government team. Suggested by Ms Phumi Sithole. The committee agreed and noted that the resolution was being implemented by the industry.
    2. To ensure women participation in the employment creation initiative of the tonnage tax. Suggested by Ms Phumi Sithole. The committee noted that the suggested participation was happening and that the resolution did not require any further initiatives.
  8. Formation of the specific Maritime Chambers. For the Private Sector: Given Minister Alec Erwin’s challenge this Conference agrees to initiate the formation of a Business Maritime Chamber. Suggested by Mr Tony Ruiters, Krew Investments (Pty) Ltd. This resolution was not accepted by the conference.
  9. That a Tsunami wakening station be installed closer to the coast of South Africa. Suggested by Mr Siyabonga Gama Acting CEO: Spoornet. A Tsunami warning centre, to be run by the MRCC, is under discussion and implementation of the resolution is thus being pursued.
  10. Maritime Mentorship Programme for Woman (technical, strategic aspects). Suggested by Mrs Sharmla Dharamalingam. This resolution was not accepted by the conference as WISTA already has a similar programme in place.
  11. That the conference establish what, if any assistance, was given by the Maritime sector to assist in the plight of the Tsunami victims. If no assistance has been given, establish resolution to rectify the situation. Suggested by Mr Siyabonga Gama, Acting CEO: Spoornet. This resolution was not accepted by the conference.