Eastern Cape Business 2024

The 2024 edition of Eastern Cape Business is the 17th edition of this successful publication that, since its launch in 2006, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide for the Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is supporting this issue of the journal, both in providing up-to-date information for editorial use and in sharing information about its activities. It will also distribute the journal through its regular channels. While the Eastern Cape has deservedly earned the title of South Africa’s wind energy province, there are other developments taking place in East London, the Coega SEZ and near Humansdorp that promise to give new meaning to new energy. Vanadium batteries, green ammonia and green hydrogen are among the aspects that form part of the Special Feature on energy that appears in this journal. The centenary of the massively important automotive industry is celebrated with reference to Ford Motor Company’s start in the “Auto City” of Port Elizabeth, as it was known, in 1924. The province’s two Special Economic Zones are attracting investors and exports are on an upward trajectory, which will be helped by upgrades of the Eastern Cape’s three ports. Overviews are provided on the other key economic sectors of the province and the potential of the oceans economy and the prospects of oil and gas for this coastal province are examined. The major business chambers in the province have made contributions to the journal and the newest chamber, the Maritime Business Chamber, which has its headquarters a short distance up the hill from the Port of Gqeberha, makes its second appearance in the journal.

OVERVIEW Oceans economy

OVERVIEW Oceans economy Infrastructure upgrades are underway at the Eastern Cape’s ports. SECTOR INSIGHT The Port of East London has started exporting manganese. National utility Transnet has a seven-year plan to invest in infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Ngqura (which serves the Coega SEZ) and the ports of Port Elizabeth and East London. The Port of East London, pictured, is best known as the conduit for the export of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and agricultural produce. It is set to become an alternate destination for manganese exports but the bulk of exports will go through a new dedicated manganese export facility with a capacity of 16-million tons to be built at Ngqura. This development will free up space within the Port of Port Elizabeth for leisure craft and ensure that Kings Beach will remain a sought-after holiday destination. Another development within the Port of Ngqura will see the Mediterranean Shipping Company establish an additional exportcargo service for agricultural products such as the citrus from the Sundays River Valley. Promoting the oceans economy is one of the priorities of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government. Beyond harbours and fishing, other potential sectors such as maritime repair and maintenance and oil and gas exploration have great potential. National government has named the Coega SEZ as the site of a potential liquified natural gas (LNG) plant. An Oceans Economy Master Plan has been created and so far, 73 co-operatives have been awarded 15-year licences by the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). ONLINE RESOURCES Maritime Business Chamber: www.maritimechamber.co.za Ocean Sciences Campus (NMU): https://oceansciences.mandela.ac.za South African International Maritime Institute: www.saimi.co.za The Maritime Business Chamber (MBC) has been established in the Eastern Cape, with its headquarters overlooking the Port Elizabeth harbour. It aims to address the imbalances in the maritime industry by representing the interests of all local businesses. It is aligned with strategic programmes such as Operation Phakisa and the Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP) and creates opportunities for SMMEs. Eastern Cape economic planners are getting advice from Egypt on how to scale up aquaculture. The North African country, which is sharing technical and funding ideas with the Eastern Cape, produces 1.6-million tons of product in its aquaculture industry whereas South Africa’s total is currently less than 10 000 tons. The focus of an expanded aquaculture sector is at Mbashe, Coega Special Economic Zone and the East London IDZ. The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has set out a 440ha zone inside the Coega SEZ adjacent to the deepwater Port of Ngqura. The Coega SEZ is served by two ports, is on the N2 highway and close to the Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, an important consideration for the export of live products. ■ EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS 2024 46 PHOTO: TNPA

Maritime Business Chamber The MBC is the anchor and place of refuge for the Maritime Industry. The Maritime Business Chamber (MBC) has positioned itself as the advocacy voice of the Maritime Industry by providing business support, promoting sustainable jobs and skills development and lobbying for business opportunities. MBC supports all maritime programmes that seek to promote sustainability (balance socioeconomic and environmental issues in the Maritime Industry). Vision To be a leading, inclusive, progressive and transformative chamber for developing competent and sustainable maritime enterprises. Mission To be a leading partner in offering maritime services that promote socio-economic growth and maritime industry capacity building. The Maritime Business Chamber affirms its focus according to the following objectives: • Round table and maritime think-tank discussions on Africa’s maritime regulations, policy/bills/legislations and marine environment • Enterprise development that will address core competencies and capabilities, systems development and Maritime Leadership Development • Facilitation of access to finance through fundraising for the Maritime Industry and social causes, sponsorships and investments • Stakeholder collaboration in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACfTA) and Revised Africa Maritime Transport Charter • Encourage and promote synergies, collaboration, SMART and sustainable, innovative and efficient ways of doing business among all African Maritime Industry bodies or structures • Global competitiveness by forging intra-regional African partnerships, promoting regional practice Internationally and benchmarking • Advocate for efficient and competitive ports, shipping and maritime services in Africa Sectors of focus Our focus areas include: • Shipping • Ports • Shipbuilding with the shipbuilding supply industry • Marine engineering • Offshore oil and gas • Offshore wind energy • Fisheries • Aquaculture • Maritime research and development. Our core function is to focus on SMME development and to ensure MARITIME FOR US ALL! AAMA conference: Daniel Mwaza (Secretary General, Intergovernmental Standing Committee on Shipping), Nondumiso Mfenyana (MBC Executive Secretariat), Mwanaulu Issa Mwajita (Director, ISCOS Trade Facilitation and Policy Harmonisation) , Unathi Sonti (Executive Chairperson, MBC). Unathi Sonti, Executive Chairperson, MBC CONTACT DETAILS Tel: +27 41 587 5855 Email: adminoffice@maritimechamber.co.za Web: www.maritimechamber.co.za Social networks: Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn/ @MaritimeBusinessChamber