A high-powered Eastern Cape government delegation recently concluded a European trade trip that featured visits to boatyards and meetings with key international maritime stakeholders.
Their stopovers included a tour of the powerhouse Italian yard Fiart Mare, a prominent motorboat manufacturer, and a meeting with Greece’s Deputy Minister of Shipping. The delegation also attended the Posidonia International Shipping Exhibition at the Metropolitan Expo in Athens, where Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane engaged with international maritime leaders.
“Following the exhibition tour, the Premier led a specialised information session focused on profiling investment opportunities within the oceans economy in the Eastern Cape,” the Premier’s office said in an official update. “Held in the seminar spaces of the venue, this session brought together a select group of maritime stakeholders to discuss partnerships and industrial growth. The itinerary also included meetings with marine equipment manufacturers and shipping service entities to expand trade relations.”
Premier Mabuyane also met with Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Theoharis Theoharis.
“The engagement focused on positioning the Eastern Cape within the broader Hellenic market as a prime destination for international investment and tourism. Key discussions centred on strengthening long-term cooperation, expanding bilateral trade, and fostering meaningful people-to-people relations,” the Premier’s office stated.
At the International Bunker Industry Association networking event in Athens, Premier Mabuyane punted the Eastern Cape’s role as an emerging hub for global shipping, bunkering, and marine logistics.
“With a strong focus on key ports including the Port of Ngqura, Port of Gqeberha, and Port of East London, the engagement created pathways for trade, investment, and skills development.”