In this interview we hear from the bridge of Linsen Nambi Bunker Services’ vessel Fumana.
Master Fred Theunis, elaborating on his experiences working in the maritime industry, exudes passion for the maritime industry in a career spanning almost 40 years. In his words “Maritime is every small boys dream, now coming into a man’s world is undescribable. Each day is different, each operation is different, each manoeuvre is different.” (sic).
First Mate, Keveshan Govender “I enjoy this job, I don’t get tired of it, I just love it, started when I was 18 years old and now I’m here as Chief Officer onboard the Fumana.” “I’ll never get tired of this job and I think I will be here for the next 40 years, on to greater heights!”
Chief Engineer, Nkosini Simelane “My experience here is perfect, I’m very happy here. I chose the marine industry, because when I was younger, I wanted to become a mechanical engineer, so I followed my dream.”
“The maritime industry has been successful in creating employment in other emerging markets and has the potential to create a new industry with new jobs in South Africa. It has a vital role to play in South Africa Incorporated.”, says the CEO of Linsen Nambi, Mr. Durand Naidoo.
Mr. Naidoo added that “Creating jobs is a priority for us, when people have job security, we see consumer confidence rise, people spend more, which increases business confidence, which creates growth. Jobs are the corner stone of improving the economy”
He added that “The Department of Transport’s Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy’s strategic objective is to develop the creation of a national shipping carrier to serve the South Africa’s (SA) economic and trade interests. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has been hard at work to update legislation to make it more attractive for vessel owners to register their ships in SA and in doing so they have reduced registration costs, enabled exemptions, from income tax for international vessels and from PAYE for SA crew, therefore currently it is the same cost to register a vessel in SA as it is in Singapore. A national carrier would be integral in feeding learners into maritime schools which produce skilled cadets, able seamen, engineers, port operators and surveyors etc.”
