Chairperson, hon members, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is my honour to present the Merchant Shipping (Safe Containers Convention) Bill of 2010 for passing into law by our Parliament. The Merchant Shipping (Safe Containers Convention) Bill of 2010 gives effect to the International Convention for Safe Containers, as adopted by countries belonging to the International Maritime Organisation, IMO, as far back as 1972. The convention entered into force in December 1977, setting international standards for the safe carriage of containers throughout the world.
Since its adoption in 1972, maritime countries were expected to ratify the convention by passing relevant legislation through their national parliaments and cabinets, which would enable the application and enforcement of provisions of the convention. It is of note that a law was passed in 1985 through the Department of Trade and Industry, known as the International Convention for Safe Containers Act, as part of the process to ratify this convention.
The Bill therefore proposes to reassign functions related to the implementation and administration of the convention from the Minister in the Department of Trade and Industry to the Minister in the Department of Transport and the South African Maritime Safety Authority, Samsa. This will ensure that these functions are assigned to the appropriate authorities, those that have the responsibility for transport and related safety matters.
The Bill translates the provisions of the convention into force of law in South Africa, in particular. Its key provisions are the following: the requirements for the approval, repair, inspection, detention and disposal of containers; prescribing the minimum size for containers, especially for carriage by sea and excluding air freight, and setting out procedures for the safety approval by an administration of a contracting state, or by an organisation acting on its behalf, of containers used in international transport.
It must be noted that we present this Bill as part of a programme for the development of the maritime industry in the country. This policy will deal with the development of the maritime industry, coastal shipping and regional integration. This Bill will create an enabling environment for the growth and development of a container industry that is properly regulated.
The administration and enforcement of the proposed measures are entrusted to Samsa, which, in addition to the powers conferred by regulation, is empowered to designate inspectors and to direct enquiries into certain accidents and incidents.
South Africa is part of a continent that is 99% surrounded by sea. Africa is a maritime continent. A major part of world trade depends on South Africa's coastal waters. We are situated on a major sea route which currently facilitates the safe and secure movement of about 500 million tons of crude petrochemical sea trade. This represents over 30% of the world's petrochemical production on more than 5 000 tanker voyages of very large crude carriers per annum.
Ninety-eight percent of our trade is seaborne and 50% of the country's gross domestic product comes from trade. We therefore have an obligation, not only to the international community, but also to ourselves to continue maintaining the highest standards in the safe carriage of containers over our waters.
The general public was consulted through the publication of the Bill in the Government Gazette. Comments were received from Transnet and the offices of the state law adviser and the Department of Public Enterprises were incorporated where necessary. The state law advisers have also given their advice on how the legislation should be processed. I request the National Assembly to pass this Bill. Thank you.