The shipbuilding and shipyard industry is important to any maritime nation’s economic and strategic aspirations.. South Africa is no exception and as a maritime nation, South Africa relies on its shipbuilding capabilities to support trade, create jobs, and strengthen its industrial base..
Shipyards not only enable the construction and maintenance of vessels for commercial and naval purposes but also contribute to South Africa’s ability to assert itself as a regional leader in maritime activities, enabling job creation, supporting the country’s blue economy, and positioning it as a key player in global trade..
Shipping and Freight Resource caught up with Prasheen Maharaj, CEO of Sandock Austral Shipyards as part of the Executive Insights series to discuss the critical role of shipbuilding and shipyards in South Africa’s maritime landscape its challenges, and the strategic priorities shaping the future of this essential sector..
SFR: Congratulations on your induction into the Shipping Hall of Fame Prasheen.. What does this recognition mean to you personally, and how does it reflect on your journey with SanDock Austral Shipyards..??
PM: Thank you so much. For me, this recognition signifies a journey of self-actualization and excellence. It’s a reward for resilience and commitment to growth, even during challenging times.
I started at the shipyard as a young 30-year-old with four partners, and today my family investment company is the sole shareholder of the shipyard. Over the years, we’ve undertaken some of the most complex and significant projects, not just in South Africa but globally, and this acknowledgment is a culmination of that effort.
It is also deeply rewarding to have the opportunity to contribute to the greater good, supporting families and local businesses while growing an internationally respected organization.
SFR: SanDock Austral has seen remarkable growth under your leadership.. Can you share some of the major milestones that have defined your journey..??
PM: One of the biggest milestones was expanding our operations to Europe and India, establishing ourselves as a global organization.
In 2014, we refitted a Navy frigate, a project that highlighted our capabilities and set us apart on the African continent. Additionally, we’ve executed the largest shipbuilding contract awarded by Transnet, building nine Voith Schneider tugboats, and are currently constructing the world’s most complex hydrographic survey vessel for the South African Navy.
Beyond these projects, we’ve won awards for manufacturing excellence, black business leadership, and workforce empowerment, culminating in being recognized as South Africa’s inaugural Blue Economy Champion.
However, the most meaningful milestone for me is sustaining 420 employees, supporting their families, and collaborating with over 700 local suppliers.
SFR: The maritime industry often involves balancing commercial and naval requirements. How does SanDock Austral navigate this dual focus effectively?
PM: It’s not just about having specialized facilities; it’s about leveraging them effectively. While we are the largest shipyard in Southern Africa, our success lies in fostering collaboration and creating a cooperative organizational structure.
By recruiting the best talent and integrating Industry 4.0 technologies, we’ve created a model that allows us to manage large, complex shipbuilding projects efficiently.
This approach ensures that we meet the needs of both naval and commercial clients, including the South African Navy and Transnet, while staying competitive in the global market.
SFR: How does SanDock Austral ensure it maintains a skilled and future-ready workforce capable of achieving all that is required..
PM: We’ve taken deliberate steps to prioritize our people. From hiring a dedicated talent and organizational development specialist to establishing one of the largest artisan internship programs in South Africa’s marine engineering sector, we are deeply invested in training and retaining talent.
We also empower our employees through initiatives like the Workers Empowerment Trust, sharing the company’s profits with them.
This focus on skills development not only ensures the sustainability of our business but also addresses the pressing need to create opportunities for South Africa’s youth, fostering hope and future growth for the nation.
SFR: The SA Shipping Gala celebrates leaders like yourself.. What message do you hope to share with the attendees and the shipping community..??
PM: The South African shipping industry faces significant challenges, from inefficiencies to underutilized assets. My message is simple: genuine partnership and collaboration between the government and the private sector are crucial.
We can’t view inefficiencies as someone else’s problem; instead, we need to work together to reduce them, optimize asset utilization, and embrace technologies like national single-window platforms for trade facilitation.
Countries like Singapore and Hong Kong have demonstrated how such collaboration can revolutionize port operations, and I believe South Africa can achieve the same with a collective effort.
As a G20 member, South Africa has the opportunity to lead by example in fostering innovation and operational excellence in the maritime sector.
SFR: Looking ahead, what are SanDock Austral’s strategic priorities, and how do you see the company shaping Africa’s maritime future..??
PM: Our primary goal is to grow our global market share by capturing opportunities in Europe, where shipbuilding has become increasingly outsourced to low-cost manufacturing destinations.
Through partnerships and advanced technologies, we aim to position South Africa as a competitive player in this space. We also have ambitions to become the largest shipyard in Portugal through our joint venture with Vera Navis.
This vision aligns with our broader goal of creating a business-enabling environment in South Africa that attracts global clients while fostering local economic growth.
By doing so, we hope to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s maritime industry and cement South Africa’s role as a key player in the global maritime landscape.
