The promulgation in March 2005 of the National Ports Authority Bill, subsequently enacted on 4 August 2005 as the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005, has paved the way for government to forge ahead with its plans to promote the efficiency of the country's ports. We were assured at the National Maritime Conference earlier this year that Transnet was in the process of restructuring to concentrate on its core businesses - rail, port infrastructure, port operations and pipelines - and that the creation of a Ports Regulator would prevent the parastatal from having unfair advantage over other operators of port services.

Economic growth and development has been high on the Parliamentary agenda this year with a strong focus on reducing the cost of doing business in South Africa, and on job creation. In the latter case there has been a lot of good news this year starting off in January when a Cape Town-based crewing service was able to place its first crew of South African seafarers with an international shipping company. The tertiary education institutions have also been upbeat about the number of cadets they have been able to place with various shipping lines, and there has been significant investment in training facilities.

The ship repair industry is still looking for answers though. There have been trials and tribulations, closures and takeovers and it is now canvassing the support of government. There's light at the end of the tunnel though if the huge investment in offset projects you will read about in this issue is anything to go by.

Huge investment has also been made by various international shipping lines that have South African interests. Safmarine brought its new Big Whites to South Africa's ports; P&O Nedlloyd's newest behemoth paid an inaugural visit to Cape Town for her naming ceremony; and DAL's latest acquisition completes the SAECS sextet. Locally, the Grindrod Group made the headlines repeatedly with news of its fleet expansion programme and acquisition of land-based businesses both locally and internationally; and our very own offshore and inshore patrol vessels were handed over to their new owner.

The year has been dodged by many first-time occasions such as the first marine insurance hull workshop, the first Seapower symposium for African navies, and in this issue you will read about the first conference for women in the SA Navy.

It is a sobering thought that since the feature articles we carried in previous issues of SA Shipping News about abnormal waves and then piracy and other maritime crime, some vessels and their crews have simply vanished without trace. And as we went to press there was news of yet another pirate attack on the Seabourn Spirit cruise liner off Somalia.

To conclude we ask that you spare a thought for all those families and friends that have been affected by the disappearance of their loved ones. We would also like to thank our readers, advertisers and contributors for their support this year and we wish you all a pleasant and safe festive season.

Editor
 

Cover Story

The safety of passengers aboard cruise liners came under the spotlight recently when the Seabourn Spirit was attacked by pirates off Somalia. South African ports are favourite destinations for cruise liners such as the Saga Rose which will visit Cape Town during the first quarter of 2006. The 24474 t liner registered in Nassau, Bahamas, has capacity for 587 passengers. She was built in 1965 but was refurbished in 1997.