On Friday we reported that the Cape Town Terminal had cleared its backlogs with the fruit export season around the corner.

In addition, mention was made of the steps taken by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to reposition the western region ports of the country (Cape Town, Mossel Bay and Saldanha) to facilitate trade. 

As reported in today’s Africa PORTS & SHIPS news bulletin, Mossel Bay and Saldanha have, with effect from 1 November 2022, received formal Port of Entry / Exit status, in terms of the Immigration Act, 2002.  Prior to this, the position had been that these ports could only cater for crew changes in relation to persons entering or leaving South Africa.

This is seen as a welcome step as part of the plan to facilitate trade, and boost the tourism industry in the Cape, as it will now enable these ports to cater for passenger vessels, including expedition luxury cruises.

Whilst in the past smaller cruise ships had called on Mossel Bay, the necessary processes under the Immigration Act had to be arranged at a designated Port of Entry prior to the vessel calling at Mossel Bay – so at Cape Town, Port Elizabeth or Durban.  This will now no longer be necessary.

As reported, this will or has already meant the provision of suitable facilities at Mossel Bay and Saldanha, no doubt as part of the capital investment program for the region which we previously reported on, and which program provides for the allocation of funds to various ports in the region during the 2022/2023 financial year, including R10.2 million and R182 million for the ports of Mossel Bay and Saldanha respectively.

Given the challenges faced by the South African tourism industry including the Western Cape during the Covid-19 pandemic, this announcement is positive step to rebuild a key sector and contribute to economic growth and opportunities for all.