The first merchant vessel registered under the South African flag since 1985, the Cape Orchid, arrived in Saldanha Bay this week.

The 300m long Japanese-built bulk carrier is owned by Vuka Marine and is registered in Port Elizabeth. It will transport 170 000 tons of iron ore from Anglo American’s Kumba Iron Ore to China.

Cape Orchid received a number of South African cadets while in Saldanha Bay, who will sail with the ship for around six months as part of their officer training programme.

Andrew Mthembu, chairman of Vuka Marine, says that it is important for South Africa to attract ships onto its register. He said this would assist with job creation and improve the training prospects of South African seafarers. Mthembu also paid tribute to the Finance Ministry which, he said, enabled local companies to be globally competitive.

Tsietsi Mokhele, CEO of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), commented that South Africa’s status as a maritime nation had been undermined by its lack of a merchant fleet, which had declined since the mid-1990s.

He noted that about 95% of South Africa’s international trade moved through its ports. He explained that buying this service exclusively from foreign ship owners and seafarers – when it could be done competitively by local operators – was economically detrimental to the country.

The ability of South African shipping companies using South African ships to offer globally competitive pricing and services is key to unlocking the value in South Africa’s besieged mining industry.

However, according to SAMSA, it has prioritised a programme of action to reverse this trend, through initiatives such as Government’s Operation Phakisa.