Department of Transport
The Office of the Department of Transport Maritime Affairs is responsible for the promotion of South Africa’s maritime interest and coordinating representation of South Africa at the IMO.
South Africa is endowed with land and the sea. It is strategically situated along the vital shipping routes of the world, the South Atlantic, the Indian and the Southern oceans; and the coastline of about 3,000 kilometres.
In that regard, maritime transport is one of the main contributors to the South African economy. The bulk of South African trade is moved by sea through its commercial ports. It is estimated that seaborne trade accounts about 90% of South African economy by volume.
Furthermore, South Africa is a member State to the IMO and has ratified and/or acceded to a number of its international regulations. Those regulations have been enacted to national legislation to ensure that South African marine environment is protected against pollution from ships, and that ships, cargo, crew and passengers onboard are safe and secured.
Within the structures of the IMO, South Africa is a member of Council under Category C.
Port State Control, Coastal State Responsibilities and Flag State Implementation
If you have interest in maritime and shipping governance regime in South African, you can contact this office for assistance, Department of Transport: Maritime branch, or the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and the links are provided below.
Alternate Permanent Representative of South Africa to IMO
Minister: Maritime Affairs
Sipho J Mbatha
Address
South African High Commission
South Africa House
Trafalgar Square
London WC2N 5DP
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 451 7264
E-mail address: mbathas@dirco.gov.za
Government and its entities websites:
National Department of Transport: www.transport.gov.za
South African Maritime Safety Authority: www.samsa.org.za
Ports Regulator of South Africa: www.portsregulator.org
South African Port Terminals: www.transnet.co.za
South African Port Authority: www.transnet.co.za/divisions/NPAuthority
Transnet: www.transnet.co.za
South African Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre: mrcc.ct@samsa.org.za
Maritime Security Coordination Centre: mscc@dot.gov.za
Industry
Association of Ships Agents and Brokers of Southern Africa: secretary@asabosa-asl.org
Container Liner Operators Forum: outlook@iafrica.com
South African Association of Freight Forwarders: saaff@saaff.org.za
South African Association of Shipbuilders and Repairers: rdeane@ebh.co.za
National Stevedore Association of South Africa: nasasa@bidports.co.za
Maritime Law Association of South Africa: www.mlasa.org.za
Institutions offering Maritime Education and Training
Schools
New Forest High School: +27 31 4626206
Simon’s Town School: +27 21 786 1056
Sithengile High School: +27 31 711 3673
Tisand Technical High School: 27 35 796 1040
Universities
Cape Peninsula University of Technology: +27 21 440 5752
Durban University of Technology: +27 31 204 2144
University of Cape Town: www.uctshiplaw.com
University of KwaZulu Natal: +27 31 260 2994
University of Stellenbosch: +27 21 808 2252
South African International Maritime Institute: +27 41 504 4038
Maritime News and Events
http://www.imo.org/MediaCentre/Pages/Home.aspx
http://www.absolutely-write.com/magazines/sa-shipping-news.html