The Africa Coastal Marine and Maritime Tourism Alliance (ACMMTA) has officially thrown its support behind the coastal shipping provisions included in the Merchant Shipping Bill [B12—2023], calling the move not only timely but crucial for unlocking South Africa’s ocean economy and stimulating inclusive growth in coastal and marine tourism.
In a formal submission to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport, dated 31 July 2025, ACMMTA Chairperson Mr. Lusanda Fibi praised the Committee for its inclusive and transparent legislative process. The Alliance highlighted that these coastal shipping provisions are directly aligned with key national and continental priorities, including:
- South Africa’s Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP)
- The African Union’s Blue Economy Agenda
- The Revised African Maritime Transport Charter
According to ACMMTA, enabling domestic participation in coastal shipping will pave the way for local seafaring talent, new entrants, and community-based value chains, especially along South Africa’s vibrant coastlines.
But the Alliance has gone a step further: recommending that the coastal shipping clause be extended to explicitly include the carriage of passengers, not just cargo. This simple yet strategic addition, ACMMTA argues, will unleash a new era of short sea cruise tourism — facilitating intercity coastal travel, event-based marine experiences, and leisure cruising between South African ports.
“We see untapped socio-economic potential in domestic marine tourism and passenger movement. Local cruise services and passenger vessels could become game changers for small businesses and coastal communities,” said Mr. Fibi.
By formally enabling South African-owned and operated cruise vessels, ACMMTA believes Parliament can ignite significant investment in local passenger infrastructure, logistics, and hospitality — while building seafaring capacity and creating meaningful job opportunities for youth and coastal residents.
The Alliance has positioned itself as a willing strategic partner, offering technical support to Parliament to ensure the successful rollout of this transformative legislation.
This backing by ACMMTA reflects growing momentum behind a homegrown maritime economy — one that embraces the potential of coastal shipping, community tourism, and African-led ocean development.
