South Africa’s shipbuilding sector is celebrating another milestone with the blessing of the third Multi-Mission Inshore Patrol Vessel in Cape Town.
Marine manufacturing is a key component of government’s ambitions to expand the Blue Economy, and the latest MMIPV for the South African Navy under Project Biro is a reminder of what could be achieved if the stars – and balance sheets – align. Not only is the sector supporting thousands of jobs, it has the potential to generate thousands more, with multiplier effects for the entire maritime supply chain.
The MMIPVs afford the navy some much-needed muscle as it fronts up to a massive increase in marine traffic, both benign – in the form of ships diverted away from the Suez Canal and Red Sea – and benighted, in the form of vessels involved with illegal fishing and trafficking. “The necessity and importance of expanding our maritime capabilities cannot be overstated,” Navy Chief V-Adm Monde Lobese said at the blessing ceremony at the Damen shipyard on March 1.
“These vessels will empower South Africa to conduct more focused and effective missions against threats such as illegal fishing and trafficking, not only within our maritime domain but also across the Southern African Development Community and beyond.”