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By Marcel Bruyns at Axis Communications

South Africa’s maritime infrastructure and ports are on a journey of revitalisation and expansion. In July this year, the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) announced it will invest at least R16 billion in port infrastructure development over the next seven years, including ports in Cape Town, Saldanha, and Mossel Bay. The investment will cover a range of functions, including breakwater extensions and the construction of new berths, all part of efforts to prioritise capital projects and prepare the facilities for the future.

Meanwhile, the TNPA has also initiated a preliminary process for the development of a new deep-water port at Boegoebaai in the Northern Cape, an area identified as a hub for the production and export of green hydrogen. The authority aims to have the new port operational by 2026 and hopes it will serve as the first step in realising South Africa’s green hydrogen strategy.

With projects such as Boegoebaai and investments at ports across the region, pertinent questions must be asked about the security and efficiency challenges this critical infrastructure faces. When it comes to such an essential partnership between the public and private sectors, only world-leading logistics and technology solutions will do.

South Africa’s shipping potential

With its roots in shipping dating back centuries, South Africa has always enjoyed a significant position in the global shipping trade to effectively capitalise on its exports. Situated on one of the busiest international sea routes, the country’s ports have demonstrated real potential. Between 2017 and 2018, the Port of Richard’s Bay achieved a milestone in handling over 100 million tons of cargo, while Cape Town, South Africa’s second biggest seaport, has a strategic location as a hub terminal for cargo to South America and the Far East.

Especially where the proposed Boegoebaai port is concerned, ports and the shipping sector itself play an important role in South Africa reaching new frontiers in economic growth and our ability to tap into new markets. For example, the development of zero-carbon fuels infrastructure, such as green hydrogen, to serve South Africa’s shipping sector could yield up to R29.2 billion in onshore infrastructure by 2030. Herein lies a substantial opportunity to further the country’s economic ambitions and, not inconsequentially, position the country as a global producer of zero-carbon fuels. It is only right that comprehensive steps be taken to safeguard the infrastructure that helps move this valuable industry.

The challenges we face

For all their apparent potential, South Africa’s ports are under threat. Currently they rank among some of the lowest performing in the world. Issues related to equipment, such as reliability and availability, have been identified as key problems. Crime and corruption have contributed to the neglect of critical infrastructure such as roads and rail networks, which in turn can impact a port’s ability to operate. Port facilities also fall victim to crimes such as theft and vandalism.

It might be banal to say everything is connected, but, where economic activity is concerned, everything is connected, and South Africa’s ports need to take a holistic approach to their security strategies. They need to mitigate a variety of risks, and that calls for a variety of solutions, including network surveillance, proactive monitoring, and access control.

A toolbox of solutions

From a cargo standpoint, IP-based surveillance technology can help improve efficiency by giving officials a way to remotely monitor data, such as container identification and rail car numbers, rather than having to check them in person. Officials can also conduct remote inspections and check cargo for any damage, thus minimising liability and ensuring personnel safety. This is important to consider when we’re talking about a fuel of the future like green hydrogen.

Multi-sensor cameras that offer wide-angle coverage and are equipped with manoeuvring functions like pan, tilt, and zoom can ensure perimeter security while minimising blind spots. Built with all kinds of environments in mind, 24/7 coverage is guaranteed thanks to thermal functionality. Capable of outputting high-resolution video, cameras allow officials to identify specific details of intruders and incidents that take place.

Ports are busy sites with multiple entities engaging in various activities while entering and exiting at all times of the day. Achieving access control starts with enabling every point of entry with products such as intercoms (both video and audio-enabled), and software-driven solutions such as license plate recognition and RFID readers.

These solutions offer an additional benefit: scalability. Modern surveillance and monitoring systems are built to accommodate any maritime environment while offering the same level of security as other critical infrastructure. By partnering with a trusted vendor who can provide wholesale support pre, during, and post-installation, South African ports can be transformed into trade and transport powerhouses made up of different stakeholders all working together at an assured level of safety and efficiency to grow the economy.