The noise around the 2022 World Maritime Day Parallel Event sailed right through from the first day to the very last day. After the warm welcome Durburnites welcomed the distinguished guests from the International Maritime Organization. October being the transport month #OctoberIsTransportMonth2022, the guest speakers in the panel sessions aligned with the first set of speakers on the panel discussion.
South Africa is characterized as having a warmer climate and in the past decades, the variation between warmer and cooler temperatures have become more frequent and extreme. South Africa boasting with an extensive coastline impacted by heavy waves and storm surges and the contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is largely driven by electricity and heat production. This year’s parallel event theme ‘’New technologies for greener shipping’’ had the aim to have everyone contribute to the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions across the globe for sustainable development.
An interactive moderated session on the 4th Industrial Revolution and sustainable maritime industry, commenced on Tuesday morning, 13 October. Speakers of the session included Mr. Yap Ong Hang from Singapore providing insight into the future of digitization within the ports. Dr. Portia Ndlovu an academic presentation highlighted the challenges of cyber security in ships. The third speaker Mr. Patrick Verhoeven, managing director of policy and strategy IAPH briefly touched on ports being flexible enough to transgress into the new plans that align with IMO’s theme “New technologies for greener shipping’’.
The new generation will require ports moving towards having smart ports. The digitization of ports is implemented to reduce the emission of carbon emissions and help overlay physical connectivity with digital connectivity to help dry efficiency. There is crime everywhere and cyber security in ships should not be overlooked there are a lot of opportunities to explore and need to go to ensure cyber security. Mr. Patrick Verhoeven said “The importance of digital transformation is data collaboration. Ports shipping is a human business. Now including technology in this transition will require human interactions to be successfully implemented”. His presentation emphasized on the importance of humans becoming adaptable to the new technologies to achieve a smart port city. Later, delegates had the pleasure to be shown around the Port of Durban Bay head.
At the end of the day, The Department of Transport hosted the closing reception in Kasi style by the KZN Cruise Terminal. The distinguished guests unwinded and got to have the feel of the kasi culture in the city of Durban. The evening left the guest dancing to a mixture of South Africa’s popular music and networking in a more relaxed environment.