UKZN and eThekwini Maritime Cluster Collaborate on Maritime Research Initiative

BY: .

The eThekwini Maritime Cluster (EMC) will host five UKZN postgraduate students who will do research into some of South Africa’s pressing maritime challenges.

This initiative is part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the EMC and the University’s Unit of Maritime Law and Maritime Studies and was officially launched at a function attended by representatives of the Department of Works and the private sector as well as industry stakeholders. It is envisioned that the students research findings will enable the industry to make use of research capacity within the University and so assist in its work and its aim of becoming globally competitive.

EMC’s Managing Director Ms Zenzile Gwamanda said the collaboration fitted in well with the Cluster’s vision of growing South Africa’s maritime industry to be a formidable global competitor through co-operation with stakeholders such as government, maritime professionals, academia and civil society.

Gwamanda said the aim was to position eThekwini and KwaZulu-Natal as the centre of maritime knowledge. ‘Hence, as a cluster, our interest is in efforts to grow our base and solve maritime industry challenges.

Addressing the UKZN representatives, she said: ‘We are now family. We need you to engage with us for this project to be a success.’

The postgraduate students include Mr Nyadu Kabongo, Ms Nomali Port, Mr Matthew van Maasdyk, Mr Musawenkosi Mpofana and Ms Nomvelo Luthuli. Their research topics include the economic efficiency of South African port systems; congestion challenges at port terminals; readiness and response of the maritime organisations to cybercrime, and meeting the demands of custom modernisation and trade facilitation in South Africa.

Acting Director of the Unit of Maritime Law and Maritime Studies Dr Dusty Donnelly said she was looking forward to the students producing excellent and meaningful research.

‘Our valued partnerships with key industry stakeholders such as the EMC are central to our vision of positioning the Unit as the leading knowledge institute for maritime-related studies on the African continent, providing inter-disciplinary teaching and research excellence in the areas of shipping and international trade law and economics,’ said Donnelly.

Words: Noluthando Zondi

Photograph: Supplied