The World Maritime Day 2016 was held at the Gariep (Xhariep) Dam in the Free State on 29 September.
Hosted by the Department of Transport, the celebrations, held over three days, incorporated a careers expo in which Grindrod participated. Grade 10 – 12 students from previously disadvantaged communities were exposed to a variety of careers available to them in the country’s maritime sector. Four bursaries were awarded to deserving learners in the area courtesy of Transnet Port Terminals, and the Free State MEC of Police, Roads and Transport Mr Butana Komphela promised to match the number.
In an interesting move, the celebrations this year were held inland as instructed by Dipuo Peters, Minister of Transport, specifically to expose youth living inland to the maritime sector.
Led by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the global celebration’s theme this year was: “Shipping: Indispensable to the world” – this in recognition of trade statistics indicating that as much as 80% of world’s goods traded in volume, and 70% in value are transported between countries and continents via oceans bearing vessels.