African, Chinese Shipbuilders Form Partnership

Southern African Shipyards (SAS) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, in a union between the largest shipyard in Southern Africa and the largest shipbuilding group in the world.

SAS CEO, Prasheen Maharaj, said, “In terms of the MOU, SAS and CSTC have committed to building a collaborative institutional relationship where we share our experience and expertise, particularly around potential projects which fall under Operation Phakisa.” 

Operation Phakisa was launched by President Jacob Zuma in 2014. One of its two key focus areas is to develop South Africa’s maritime economy in sectors such as marine transport and manufacturing and offshore oil and gas. It includes the expansion of South African port capacity for repair work for oil ships and oil rigs. 

“China and South Africa are both members of the BRICS strategic global alliance and our MOU is a natural outcome to promote each other’s maritime interests,” Maharaj added.