Maritime trade must balance with environment

SOUTH Africa faces challenges in balancing economic activity derived from the shipping industry with marine environmental protection.

- JEAN PURDON

One of the most prominent maritime trade routes is located around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. As a result of escalating conflict in the Middle East since 2016, trade routes have been redirected away from the Suez Canal towards the Cape, resulting in increased vessel traffic.

This has provided South Africa with expanded economic opportunities such as ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering (the process of transferring fuel from one ship to another while at sea or anchored), dry dock facilities, and resupplying vessels and their crews with essentials.

However, the increase in maritime activity has also raised concerns about environmental impacts, including oil spills, underwater noise pollution, disturbance to marine habitats and the introduction of invasive species.

In Algoa Bay, STS bunkering began in 2016, and involved an estimated 3 000 vessels that were transiting the South African coastline annually. The business expanded rapidly, but was shut down in 2023 by the South African Revenue Service over tax irregularities.