Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele will lead a delegation of South African officials to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) council meeting next week, his office said on Sunday.

The meeting will be held in London between Monday and Friday.

South Africa serves as Vice-Chair of the council.

Ndebele’s delegation is expected to give a presentation regarding the diplomatic conference which will be hosted in Cape Town in October.

The IMO will also discuss piracy, the World Maritime University, World Maritime Day, the International Maritime Prize, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“The minister will make a presentation to the IMO council on South Africa’s efforts to combat piracy, particularly along the Mozambican channel,” the statement said.

The South African government had the opportunity to benchmark its efforts to improve maritime capacity against other countries, said Ndebele.

The industry had great job creation and empowerment potential.

“South Africa needs to take advantage of our position at the IMO to grow its maritime sector, including sending candidates to the World Maritime University to acquire much needed skills to transform the maritime industry,” he said.

The country should take advantage of its hosting of the diplomatic conference to raise awareness of the industry’s potential.

His department would embark on a drive to raise awareness of the industry in order to attract young people.

“We are willing to introduce any form of legislation if need be to make the necessary interventions to unlock the potential that exists in the maritime industry,” he said.

 

 

Source: http://www.citizen.co.za