South Africa is the only member country of the international organization BRICS (which includes Brazil, Russia, India and China) that does not have its own commercial vessel, yet makes up the 3.5% of the total global maritime trade. The other countries each have their own merchant vessels: Brazil has a fleet of 172; Russia has 1,891; India has 534; and China’s fleet is composed of 2, 044 vessels. Furthermore, in 2011 only, 264 million tons of freight cargo were imported and exported by South Africa.
SAMSA (South Africa’s Maritime Safety Authority) CEO Tsietsi Mokhele pointed out that South Africa spends an estimated 45 billion rand on global shipping exports and imports, 98% of which are carried out by foreign shipping lines. This gaping lack of contribution in the industry of sea-borne commerce is what’s keeping South Africa from becoming a global naval influence, Mokhele said.
If South Africa is to commission its own commercial fleet, these shipping liners must be equipped with the latest improvements in maritime technology for South Africa to become a substantial player in the maritime shipping industry. An integrated shipping software that streamlines the operations of the shipping agency onboard the container vessel will make the shipping operations more productive, efficient, profitable and secure.
Shipping software companies have long been providing shipping agencies with integrated shipping software that incorporates all the necessary functions needed by a shipping vessel. By utilizing these business solutions, South Africa is sure to become a significant country in the maritime shipping industry.
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