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Date
: 29/09/2005
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Transport
Title: Cele: World Maritime Day celebrations
Welcome address by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport,
Community Safety and Liaison, Mr Bheki Cele, at the celebration to
mark World Maritime Day, the Port of Durban
All Protocol Observed.
I am extremely honoured to welcome you to the World Maritime Day
celebrations being held here today. I am particularly delighted
that this celebration is being held in our beautiful city of
eThekwini in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Maritime transport
encompasses all forms of transport by sea, inter-modal links and
inland ports. The mission of the maritime transport system is to
encourage and support the South African maritime transport
industry, which encapsulates four fundamental objectives
namely:
* Meeting basic needs;
* Growing the economy;
* Developing human resources; and
* Democratising decision-making.
The maritime transport system is also aimed at providing safe,
reliable, effective, efficient and fully integrated transport
operations, which will best meet the needs of the customers of this
industry. It will assist in improving levels of service and cost by
supporting government strategies for social and economic
development. We at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport
recently hosted a Freight Transport Empowerment Summit to look at
opportunities within the freight industry, including not only the
transport operational sector, but also a wide range of associated
sectors such as the maritime industry.
KwaZulu-Natal is naturally endowed with the two largest ports in
South Africa, which are strategically positioned on major shipping
routes, serving as major gateways to domestic and international
trade. Freight transport in all modes, is one of the most important
economic activities in the province contributing to about 11% of
the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and is a key element in the
future development of the Province’s agricultural and
industrial potential. The volume of freight transport through
KwaZulu-Natal is continually increasing, as the logistics systems
for imports and exports from the interior of South Africa and the
neighbouring countries direct cargo through our road and rail
corridors, to the ports of Durban and Richards Bay.
Shipping is perhaps the most international of all the world's great
industries and one of the most dangerous. World Maritime Day
therefore provides an ideal opportunity to draw attention to the
vital role that shipping plays in underpinning the international
economy and its significant contribution to international trade and
the world economy, as the most efficient, safe and environmentally
friendly method of transporting goods around the globe. With these
few words, once again, welcome to our beautiful city and province.
Siyajabula Ukuba Nani!
Thank You.
Issued by: Department of Transport, Community Safety and
Liaison
29 September 2005
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