Overview of the Shipping Industry...

Major trade routes

• Container trades
• Oil trades
• Iron ore
• Coal
• Grain
• One map showing all the major shipping convergence zones
• (Click on above for images)

South African Trade : Forms of Transport Used

Note that about 90 percent of world trade (and South African trade) is conducted by sea. This emphasizes the very important role of shipping in both world trade and South African trade.

The Maritime Industry in South Africa can be broken down into two distinct categories: offshore activities and inshore activities. Offshore activities encompass operations and voyages great distances from the coast while inshore activities take place within our ports and harbours.

In support of these offshore and inshore marine activities are numerous shore based services - adding value to the capacity of the maritime industry.

Typical Offshore activities include:

1. Container Liners - vessels that carry containerised cargo
2. Product Carriers (Tankers) (See images on the right)
3. Bulk Carriers (See images on the right)
4. Offshore Support (Specialist Marine Services)

Support services to offshore activities would include stevedoring, terminal operations, ship agencies, cargo agents etc.

Typical Inshore activities include:
1. Harbour Towage
2. Dredging
3. Bunker Barges
4. Pilotage

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Container Ships

Passenger Ships