by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

Earlier this month, South Africa took concrete steps towards establishing a state-owned shipping company to revamp its maritime logistics strategy.

The South African Department of Transport invited shipping companies to take part in a steering committee to create a model for the future line.

According to ShippingWatch, the proposed carrier will be named the South African Shipping Company (SASCO).

SASCO will be the nation’s first government-backed shipping line in over 25 years, following the closure of its predecessor, Safmarine.

The government seeks to establish SASCO as a vessel-owning and chartering entity focused on serving domestic and intra-African trade routes.

The carrier will collaborate with existing logistics firms and port operators to re-establish South Africa’s role in the regional shipping ecosystem.

The country's plan aligns with broader African efforts to enhance maritime infrastructure and competitiveness.

Local news provider, The African Mirror, countries like Nigeria and Liberia are leading major investments in addressing maritime gaps.

Nigeria has Africa’s largest nationally owned fleet with 291 vessels, while Liberia has emerged as the world’s largest flag state by tonnage, overseeing 4,821 vessels as of 2023.

Stay ahead with the latest updates! Subscribe to our SeaNews newsletter for the most relevant information.