Positioning South Africa as guardian of the Cape route

As the Cape Sea Route sees increased shipping traffic due to growing risks in the Red Sea, South Africa stands at a critical juncture to capitalise on its geographic advantage. 

The Red Sea’s volatility, heightened by attacks such as the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader, has prompted major shipping companies to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, a shift expected to increase substantially in 2025. While this surge offers economic opportunities, South Africa is struggling to align these short-term gains with long-term maritime goals, revealing significant challenges that require urgent attention.

South Africa’s key ports, including Cape Town, Durban, and Gqeberha, are well-positioned to serve as crucial nodes in global shipping and tourism, providing essential services such as vessel maintenance, crew changes, and provisioning. Additionally, the country’s growing popularity as a stop for international cruise tourism is set to rise as more vessels bypass the Suez Canal. However, with this influx of maritime traffic comes a heightened risk of accidents, such as collisions and groundings, which could lead to severe environmental and human consequences. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is tasked with managing these risks but faces challenges due to the country's notoriously rough seas and increasing traffic. The escalation in incidents such as groundings, sinkings, and container falls highlights the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and infrastructure.

The rise in shipping traffic comes at a time when South Africa seeks to improve its standing as a responsible maritime hub. Despite these aspirations, the country has faced setbacks, including its unsuccessful bid for re-election to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council, which would have allowed it to influence global shipping protocols. To address current maritime safety challenges, SAMSA must prioritize a thorough risk assessment of the country's navigation systems and infrastructure by March 2025. The expansion of the Oceans and Coastal Information Management System (OCIMS) is one key step that could improve South Africa's ability to monitor vessel movements, respond to accidents, and combat illegal maritime activities.

South Africa’s ports, however, are plagued by inefficiency, outdated infrastructure, and congestion. Despite being vital to regional and international trade, these ports are struggling to handle higher volumes of traffic, particularly as trade expands within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Efforts to modernize South Africa’s ports through public-private partnerships face challenges, including legal disputes over terminal concessions in Durban and competition from other African port developments, such as those in Mozambique. In order to remain competitive, South African ports must drastically improve efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and embrace technologies like automation.

Additionally, South Africa is positioning itself as a green fuel hub, anticipating the global shift towards cleaner energy in shipping. However, the country’s inadequate bunkering facilities and the South African Revenue Service’s recent shutdown of offshore bunkering services present significant barriers. As South Africa strives to meet international decarbonization goals, it must also address the pressing issue of marine pollution and expedite legislative processes for port governance, pollution control, and maritime safety to ensure swift responses to crises like oil spills.

Finally, the need for a coordinated national maritime security strategy remains a significant gap. Despite efforts to streamline maritime agencies and foster a whole-of-government approach, progress has been slow since its initial announcement in 2019. By addressing these gaps in infrastructure, safety, and legislative frameworks, South Africa can enhance its position as the gateway to sub-Saharan Africa and strengthen its role as a key player in the Cape Route's future.