Programme
Day 1
Registration
Networking Cocktail
Day 2
Arrival and Registration
Opening
René Peter-Masoen
Official welcome
Sandile Ndlovu
Keynote Address
Safeguarding South Africa’s maritime sovereignty in an era of expanding risk
How the SA Navy must evolve amid rising maritime traffic around the Cape, regional instability and constrained budgets - and why industry partnerships are no longer optional.
Adm Musa Nkomonde
Building growth - Transnet National Ports Authority ship repair strategy and opportunities
This topic explores how Transnet National Ports Authority’s ship repair strategy can unlock growth opportunities by strengthening port infrastructure, expanding maritime maintenance capacity and boosting South Africa’s broader maritime economy.
Ophelia Shabane
Leveraging maritime security and governance for South Africa’s ocean economy
This topic explores how trade flows, port efficiency, energy supply, capacity development and investor confidence rely on maritime protection and how the defence industry becomes an economic enabler rather than a cost centre.
Mpumzi Bonga
Bunkering as a strategic port capability: Unlocking trade and maritime traffic
Wilhelm Wasserman
Funding the shield: How strategic defence procurement drives South Africa’s maritime industrialisation
How strategic defence procurement can drive South Africa’s maritime industrialisation by strengthening local manufacturing, enhancing maritime security, creating jobs and stimulating long-term growth within the ocean economy.
Dr Lesiba Mahapa
Breakaway 1
Protecting the workforce behind port efficiency
How PPE, safety culture and workforce protection directly impact operational efficiency, productivity, and reduced downtime across ports and logistics corridors.
Decongesting the gateway: Fixing South Africa’s port bottlenecks
Port inefficiencies are a major constraint on South Africa’s trade competitiveness. This session unpacks the key causes of congesti on from infrastructure gaps to operational challenges and explores practical solutions to improve turnaround times, reduce costs and restore confidence in the country’s trade corridors.
Safeguarding South Africa’s ports, sea lanes and trade corridors
South Africa’s trade lifelines depend on secure ports, protected sea lanes and resilient logistics corridors. This session explores the evolving security threats – from maritime crime and infrastructure vulnerability to regional instability – and the critical role of the South African Navy and industry partners in safeguarding the country’s maritime domain to ensure the uninterrupted flow of trade.
Breakaway 2
Sustainable financing models for maritime education
This topic explores sustainable financing models for maritime education.
Unlocking capital for maritime infrastructure, security and growth
South Africa’s oceans economy presents significant untapped investment potential. This session explores funding models, from blended finance to PPPs and how government and private capital can unlock port, coastal, infrastructure and security at scale.
Strengthening South Africa’s naval capability: Aligning government and industry priorities
This discussion explores how clear policy and procurement certainty from government, combined with innovation, localisation and skills development from industry can build a sustainable and affordable maritime defence capability for South Africa.
Day 2
Lunch Break
Building for growth: Shipbuilding, repair and maritime industrialisation
South Africa has the capability to become a regional hub for shipbuilding and repair, yet scale remains limited. This panel explores how to grow local capacity, strengthen supply chains and position the country competitively in global maritime manufacturing.
Coastal economies and jobs: Unlocking fisheries, aquaculture and local enterprise
Beyond ports, the blue economy is a powerful driver of jobs and inclusive growth. This session explores how fisheries, aquaculture and coastal enterprise development can create sustainable livelihoods while balancing environmental and regulatory pressures.
Maritime skills for growth: Building the workforce for a competitive oceans economy
A thriving maritime sector requires skilled professionals across engineering, logistics, security and operations. This session explores how industry, academia and the South African Navy can collaborate to build talent pipelines and future-ready skills.