South Africa’s Ocean Economy holds the key to driving economic growth and creating a significant one million new jobs by 2033. The maritime sector should seize this opportunity and take proactive measures that develop the necessary skills needed to sustain it.
Against the backdrop of a staggering 46.5% youth unemployment figure during the first quarter of 2023, it’s crucial for South Africa to align with global efforts in prioritising skills development. World Youth Skills Day, observed on 15 July, highlights the importance of equipping young people with the necessary skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurial ventures.
“The maritime industry offers a wide range of career opportunities, both at sea and on land, with many of these roles presenting opportunities of international scope,” says Lungiswa Nyembezi, national sales manager, at Servest Marine.
The maritime sector offers a diverse range of roles, including traditional ones such as deck officers, chief engineers, and navigational officers, as well as industry-related positions like ships agents, clearing and forwarding agents, and maritime lawyers. The sector’s impact extends far beyond shipping operations, encompassing crucial areas of expertise such as port operations and ship repair and maintenance, which contribute over $30 billion annually to the industry’s overall value.
In 2018, the South African International Maritime Institute reported that the maritime sector accounted for more than 670,000 direct and indirect jobs, making it one of the biggest contributors to employment creation, contributing approximately R127.8 billion (4.5%) to the country’s GDP.
Recognising the potential for growth and employment creation, the government-initiated Operation Phakisa, an ambitious programme aimed at accelerating economic development and job creation within the ocean’s economy. Projections indicate that by 2033, the maritime sector could contribute between R129 billion and R177 billion to the GDP, surpassing its current value by more than 250%.
Nyembezi emphasises that to fully unlock this vast potential, however, requires the necessary skills and training.
“The immediate focus should be on cultivating skills in areas such as skippers, masters, and captains, chief engineers, shipbuilding, and repairs, as well as maritime law,” she says. By investing in targeted skills development initiatives, South Africa can prepare a workforce that is equipped to seize the opportunities presented and fuel economic growth, and a sustainable future.”
Servest is being proactive in its efforts to create skills within the maritime sector. The facilities management company has a fleet of 10 vessels, and continuously looks for ways to advance the skills of the crew.
“We have been proactive in driving skills development for the maritime sector,” says Nyembezi. “For instance, our skippers all began their careers as able seamen and, through a range of skills development initiatives driven through Servest Marine, the company has successfully upskilled them, enabling their progression into various positions and ultimately propelling them to become skippers.”
Servest previously formed a strategic partnership with the eThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC), a non-profit company supporting and promoting the maritime industry, to actively engage graduates and facilitate their entry into the maritime industry.
“Through this collaboration, we provide young people with the necessary skills and knowledge for them to excel in this sector,” says Nyembezi. “We are also able to offer these young people specialised hands-on training programmes tailored to the unique demands of the sector. There is a need for focused initiatives to equip graduates with the practical skills and competencies they need to thrive in various roles in this highly specialised industry.
“In the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the development of digital skills has become imperative. Within the maritime sector, there is a growing demand for artificial intelligence, automation, cybersecurity, data analysis, programming, robotics, and simulation among other skills. We need to prepare young people for these roles.
“There is a demand for digital platforms for ship and cargo tracking. The implementation of digital communication and collaboration tools have become commonplace in the industry.”
Nyembezi adds that other innovative solutions, aimed at making shipping faster and safer present exciting opportunities in various areas. “Robotics technology has the potential to free humans from monotonous, hazardous, physically demanding work. In port terminals, automated cargo handling systems contribute to fast and efficient operations, fewer human errors, and reduced emissions,” she says.
Servest Marine aims to expand its business beyond the ports where it currently operates, to incorporate charter work along the African coastline.
The potential is there to grow the sector, Nyembezi notes, urging young people to look to the sea for educational, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.