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Proclaimed Fishing Harbours, South Africa

Reinstating operational capacity across Western Cape’s fishing harbours to revitalise local economies and support coastal communities.

Client

Coega Development Corporation (CDC)

Project date

2016 – 2020

Due to years of under-investment in the Western Cape’s fishing ports, the Department of Public Works (DPW) secured approximately USD 100 million to restore the operational functionality of all 13 proclaimed fishing harbours. In 2016, Coega Development Corporation (CDC), acting as the implementing agent, appointed Zutari to deliver the Proclaimed Fishing Harbours Work Package 3, which focused on the Western Harbours.

The opportunity

The fishing industry is vital to the livelihoods of coastal communities along South Africa’s west coast. Many of the harbours had deteriorated significantly, affecting fishing operations and local economic activity. The project presented an opportunity to upgrade marine infrastructure, restore functionality, and support sustainable fishing operations while safeguarding environmental integrity.

What we did

Zutari was responsible for the rehabilitation and full engineering services for three harbours: St Helena Bay, Laaiplek, and Lambert’s Bay. The scope of work covered maintenance upgrades of marine components such as slipways, coastal infrastructure, navigational basins, and other marine facilities.

The environmental services provided included environmental impact assessment (EIA) checklists, dredging and heritage permits, environmental management plans (EMPs), and maintenance management plans for dredging, wreck removal, and general quay maintenance.

Zutari also prepared technical specifications and documentation for the refurbishment of ship cranes, slipway winches, and slipway rails. The project further included site supervision for wreck removal, slipway rehabilitation, and maintenance dredging.
Upgrading and restoring marine infrastructure to support local fishing operations and community livelihoods.

The outcome

Two of the three construction packages were completed successfully, with the dredging package scheduled for completion in 2020. The upgrades have significantly improved the functionality of the harbours, enabling faster vessel turnaround and better maintenance capacity. This has created positive ripple effects for the fishing industry and the communities that depend on it.

The Proclaimed Fishing Harbours project reflects Zutari’s ability to deliver complex marine infrastructure rehabilitation that strengthens local economies and preserves community livelihoods. By combining technical excellence with environmental stewardship, Zutari helped breathe new life into Western Cape’s historic fishing harbours.

The rehabilitation of slipway winches has significantly improved vessel support, allowing for quicker turnaround times and enabling more fishing vessels to be repaired. Ultimately, the project contributes to strengthening the fishing industry and uplifting the west coast communities that depend on it.

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