South African transport minister mulls jobs in ship, oil rig repairs

THE South African Department of Transport has developed a maritime policy paper that focuses on job creation in the maritime sector, says Transport Minister Ben Martins.

Speaking to delegates at the opening session of the South Africa Maritime Industry Conference (SAMIC) in Cape Town, Mr Martins said department studies had identified key job drivers in ship and oil rig repair and maintenance, reported Creamer Media Engineering News.

"This industry, we are told, can employ between 4,000 to 5,000 workers directly and there is opportunity for another 1,000 indirect jobs. There are 250 explorations for offshore oil mining envisaged off the coast of West Africa over the next five years. This implies considerable opportunities for oil rig repairs and maintenance that can take place in South Africa where there is capacity, mainly at Durban and Cape Town harbours," said Mr Martins.