In 2018 the total Oceans Sector’s contribution to GDP was calculated at 4.5% (R127.8-billion), sustaining 676 017 direct and indirect jobs in South Africa.

Operation Phakisa, the South African government’s socio-economic development programme, targets the Oceans Economy to contribute a total of R177-billion to GDP by 2033, while supporting 1 million jobs.

For this reason, the Oceans Economy has been identified by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) as one of the seven National Priority Sectors of the country.

However, in order to grow successfully in support of the country’s broader industrial developmental objectives, the establishment of an integrated masterplan will guarantee a more sustainable growth path for the Oceans Economy in South Africa.

SAIMI is advocating for a masterplan process modelled on the South African Automotive Sector’s recently established masterplan. This economic framework strategy encourages optimal industry growth – for the good of the industry concerned, as well as South Africa at large.

Key focus areas of the Automotive Sector’s masterplan, including transformation and localisation through supplier development and/or entrepreneurial/ enterprise development, are highly relevant for the South African Oceans Economy and aligns with the transformation objectives of SAIMI.

Through the modelling of growth trajectories in an Oceans Economy masterplan, the ideal of 1 million jobs sustained through the Oceans Economy in South Africa could become an attainable reality. A masterplan sets realistic development targets for industry, while strengthening the institutional collaborative structure to drive implementation.

The South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM 2035) aims to have more than 1.3 million vehicles produced in the country by 2035. This increased output over a period of 15 years targets the doubling of direct employment in the automotive manufacturing sector to 224 000 jobs.

With the Automotive Sector traditionally being the backbone of the Eastern Cape’s economy, this bodes well for the province – combined with the impact the Oceans Economy will have on the province.

A strong move in the right direction is the Eastern Cape Provincial Government’s recent approval of the Eastern Cape Oceans Economy Masterplan. The plan, which was approved in December 2019, is estimated to inject R10.4-billion into the provincial economy and create 33 785 jobs over a period of five years.

Nelson Mandela University developed the masterplan and the work was funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries. The plan includes a strategy for upgrading the Eastern Cape’s coastal tourism infrastructure, unblocking aquaculture projects and establishing catalytic Oceans Economy ecosystems in the province.

The Eastern Cape Oceans Economy Masterplan forms a part of the Provincial Development Plan, aimed at increasing the provincial economic growth rate from 2.8% to 5% by 2030. This will make a massive dent in the provincial unemployment rate, which is great news for the city of Nelson Mandela Bay.

In reaction to these provincial and national strategies, as a City we need to start identifying and engaging with the multiple opportunities made available through the Oceans Economy. 

There are already several pockets of excellence thriving in the city of Port Elizabeth - including boatbuilding, bunkering and other ship service providers.