First South Africa cargo ship registered

Cape Orchid is the first merchant vessel flying the country’s flag

The SA Department of Transport, supported by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) welcomed Cape Orchid, the first merchant vessel flying the country’s flag.

The SA government assisted to facilitate negotiations for acquiring the vessel, it was announced at its launch in Saldanha Bay last week. The event was attended by Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters and her deputy Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga.

More than 80% of goods that come to South Africa are transported by sea, yet until the registration of the Cape Orchid the country’s ship register remained empty.
The Cape Orchid will be a boost to our maritime economy – although owned in the private sector, government supports this initiative as registering the vessel here will create jobs. This ship is destined for Asia laden with Iron Ore. She has also taken on board three maritime cadets who will conclude their Sea Time aboard the vessel.

Tseitsie Mokhele, CEO for SAMSA said, “This registration is among the intended outcomes of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) engagement to increase trade and co-operation. We are intend on increasing the number of South African ships on the register.”

He said the government through SAMSA wanted to stimulate the maritime industry for employment creation purposes, and growing and developing the maritime economy. The ship is owned by Vuka Marine, a South African joint venture company between Via Maritime Holdings (South Africa) and K-Line and Hong Kong based Japanese firm, K-Line. Another vessel, the Cape Enterprise will also be registered in the coming weeks.

Source: Cape Business News