As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA), the maritime industry has formally written to him, appealing to government to recognise maritime affairs as a strategic national economic priority, arguing that South Africa is failing to capitalise on shifting global trade routes, offshore energy potential and the growing demand for ship repairs and marine services.

In a detailed submission to the Presidency, the Maritime Business Chamber warned that despite South Africa’s geographic advantage and extensive coastline, the maritime economy continues to be treated in a fragmented and reactive manner, with devastating consequences for investment, transformation and job creation.

The submission was sent ahead of Ramaphosa’s SONA, which comes amid heightened pressure on the Government of National Unity (GNU) to demonstrate delivery on economic reform, infrastructure renewal and employment creation.

‘South Africa is a maritime nation, not just a country with ports’

In the detailed letter seen by IOL, Maritime Business Chamber executive chairperson Unathi Sonti said South Africa’s maritime identity had been consistently reduced to port congestion and Transnet performance, while the broader maritime value chain remained neglected.

“South Africa is not merely a country with commercial ports and harbours; it is a maritime nation with nearly 3,900 kilometers of coastline and one of the largest Exclusive Economic Zones in Africa,” Sonti said.

“Yet maritime continues to be addressed in fragments, often reduced to Transnet performance on port congestion, while the broader maritime economy’s value chain remains under-leveraged and institutionally fragmented,” he added.

According to the chamber, this fragmentation has constrained growth at precisely the moment when global developments are redirecting unprecedented maritime traffic around the Cape Sea Route.

Cape route traffic presents ‘rare strategic opportunity’

The chamber said shifting global shipping patterns — driven by geopolitical instability and changing energy routes — had positioned South Africa at the centre of renewed maritime activity.

Sonti pointed to the decision by global shipping giant CMA CGM to increasingly route vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, saying this would drive demand for bunkering, emergency repairs, underwater inspections, surveys and marine engineering services.

“Without readiness in our port systems, this opportunity will pass through our waters without translating into economic benefits,” he warned.

The chamber further cautioned that ageing port infrastructure, regulatory delays and limited shipyard and dry-dock capacity were already causing vessels to bypass South African ports in favour of competing jurisdictions.

Ship repair hub potential slipping away

The submission highlighted the rapid global expansion of the ship repair and maintenance market as vessels transition to greener fuels, digital systems and stricter safety and environmental standards.

“This requires more frequent surveys, retrofits, underwater inspections, mechanical repairs and compliance upgrades,” Sonti said, adding that South Africa was ideally positioned to become the leading ship repair hub on the Cape Route.

“However, without deliberate infrastructure upgrades, streamlined port access for maritime services and modernised dry-dock and shipyard capacity, vessels will continue to bypass our ports,” he said.

Offshore oil and gas stalled by policy uncertainty

The chamber also raised alarm over stalled offshore oil and gas development, saying investment had been diverted to neighbouring countries such as Namibia and Mozambique due to regulatory uncertainty and prolonged litigation.

“The Republic of South Africa’s offshore oil and gas potential remains stalled, not by lack of investor interest, but by continuous litigation, regulatory uncertainty and environmental lobby challenges that have created investor panic,” Sonti said.

He called for a coordinated national stance and a streamlined regulatory pathway to restore investor confidence.

Small-scale fishers and MSMEs left behind

Beyond shipping and energy, the chamber criticised the continued marginalisation of small-scale fishers and marine-based small businesses, saying inadequate infrastructure and delays in finalising long-term fishing rights had locked communities out of the commercial value chain.

“Small-scale fishers continue to face lack of infrastructure and exclusion from meaningful commercial value chains, resulting in continued exploitation and illegal fishing that erodes livelihoods,” the submission said.

The chamber argued that resolving fishing rights appeals could unlock vessel recapitalisation, local boat building and marine manufacturing.

Call for decisive governance reform

Central to the chamber’s appeal was a call to end institutional fragmentation, with maritime responsibilities currently split across multiple departments and entities.

“This fragmentation continues to undermine the objectives of Operation Phakisa and the Oceans Economy Master Plan,” Sonti said.

He proposed either the establishment of a dedicated maritime authority or a centralised coordination mechanism with economic, safety, environmental and industrial oversight.

What the industry wants from SONA 2026

The Maritime Business Chamber urged Ramaphosa to use SONA to:

• Explicitly recognise maritime as a national economic priority beyond ports and Transnet

• Commit to modernising shipyards and dry-dock infrastructure

• Provide targeted support for marine MSMEs

• Fast-track reforms such as the Merchant Shipping Bill

• Articulate a clear, balanced national stance on offshore oil and gas development

“The developments on the Cape Route, offshore energy interests and global decarbonisation of shipping present South Africa with a unique convergence of opportunity,” Sonti said.

“The chamber remains ready to support government in translating these opportunities into practical programmes that create jobs and grow the maritime contribution to GDP,” he added.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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