sa-smart port delegation to hamburg -...

SA German Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Durban, KZN Office

0 | P a g e ~ Report for SAGCCI

SA-Smart Port Delegation

to Hamburg

Report ~ 2016

- Yvonne Iyer KZN Regional Representative for the Southern African - German Chamber of Commerce & Industry

- Compiled By Genesis Articles

http://www.genesisarticles.co.za/



Facilitator’s Report

Synopsis ~

Delegation:

1. Yvonne Iyer - KZN Regional Representative for the Southern

African-German Chamber of Commerce & Industry

2. Wolfgang Jakob - Honorary Ambassador for the city of Hamburg

3. Moshe Motlohi - Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) - Port Manager

4. Rishta Joga - Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) - ICT Manager

5. Angela Eckstein - Transnet Freight Rails (TFR) - ICT Manager

6. Jason Lowe - SA National Road Agency (SANRAL) - Project Manager

7. Jaco Cromhout - T-Systems - Head of Specialised Solutions

8. Adele van Tonder - T-Systems - Lead Enterprise Architect

Purpose of Visit:

To facilitate mutually-beneficial,

sustainable international relations

between key stakeholders, existing /

prospective suppliers and chief role-

players of Durban Port and Hamburg,

in lieu of positioning Durban as a

Smart Port City.

To offer these key stakeholders the

opportunity to see firsthand the

ground operations of the Smart Port

and city logistics of Hamburg.

Special Acknowledgement to Mr Wolfgang Jakob - Honorary Ambassador for the city of

Hamburg - for his pivotal role in helping to materialise a meaningful and eventful program for

the delegation in Hamburg.



Executive Summary ~

As the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAGCCI) we

represent the joint interests of German enterprise and development while building synergistic

long-term associations with Southern African counterparts. Central to our vision is the

fostering and nurturing of strategic Southern African-German ties, with particular focus on

industrial and commercial advancement of the two nations.

On this fundamental backdrop the first Annual Durban Maritime Summit, held in February

2016, presented an ideal opportunity to undertake positive action in light of the above-

mentioned vision. In order to successfully embark on the Durban City’s gigantic vision to

transform the city by 2030 (into a Smart Port City as well as one of the most liveable and

caring in Africa), there no doubt would have to be strategic alliances in place. What better

way to harness the potential of Durban’s Harbour and the city as a whole than by capitalising

on this perfect opportunity to connect local decision-makers and important stakeholders with

Hamburg’s Port Authority (HPA) and relevant city-wide associates.

This is why the SAGCCI, via the facilitation of KwaZulu Natal representative Mrs Yvonne

Iyer, sanctioned the assimilation of a local delegation and coordination of an international

visit to Hamburg. The delegation brought together intrinsic economic drivers of not only

Regional but also National developmental significance; that being members of Transnet,

SANRAL and T-Systems.

Objectives of Visit ~

The purpose undergirding the visit is encapsulated in the following objectives, which can be

considered in accordance with the outcomes reported herein:

Expose local delegation and represented engines of development in KZN to the best-

practices of a flagship Smart Port City like Hamburg with one of the most advanced,

expansive and respected ports in the world.

Promoting and transferring of skills development.

Offer a visual and tangible context of what the Durban City and its port have

committed themselves to strive towards.

Encourage bilateral cooperation that benefits both regions including their ports.

Stimulate stronger strategic relations between primary stakeholders involved in

Durban’s Smart Port project and prospective or existing suppliers and advisors.

Bring exposure to Durban, its port and vice versa with Hamburg’s expansive

metropolis and port.

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Itinerary and Highlights ~

We were well hosted by the main coordinators, Mr Uwe Jens Neumann of Hamburg@Work

and the Ministry of Economic Development, Anne Konig during the duration of our stay.

After safely landing in Hamburg and once settled in on the 7th August 2016, at the Hafen

Hotel Hamburg, the delegation embarked on a city tour, with the capable guidance of

Mr. Johannes Robert. This included learning about the historic significance of the large city

as well as the progressive strides that make it a benchmark city, epitomising international

best practices as a Smart Port City.

Attendees were mesmerised at some of the amazing facts of the city with its coveted

Greenfield projects and immaculately run Smart Port and City-wide networks, infrastructure

and related systems. This included the fact that Hamburg is about seven times the extent of

Paris and, in fact, also has about six times as many bridges as Venice. Importantly, the Port

of Hamburg is the second-largest European seaport and fifteenth largest globally.

On day 2 we visited the HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA). During our eagerly-

awaited site visit, the facilitator HHLA Corporate Communication representative Kirsten

Piotrowski, hosted us and delivered a genuinely enlightening and eye-opening presentation

of the terminal. We began to see firsthand the breakthrough advantages, efficiencies and

capabilities harnessed and unlocked by the cloud technology underpinning the Hamburg

Smart Port. We closed of the productive day with an informative and entertaining visit to the

famous Hamburg Cruise Center, Steinwerder. The knowledgeable facilitator Jorg Jocker,

Director of Operations and Revenue Management at Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH, enabled

an informative site visit of the popular cruise facility.



Day 3 was another big day for the SA delegation, starting with a 2 hour Harbour Tour. We

were in the capable care of Axel Mattern, Board Member at Port of Hamburg (Marketing).

This was most informative and members of our delegation were fully engaged, asking a

variety of questions, interacting with the facilitator and harbour personnel; ultimately gaining

insight on a host of operational, infrastructural, procedural and systems-related facets

governing the Harbour as a whole.

The entire afternoon was also packed to the brim. The early afternoon we spent with Daniel

Jahn, Visitors Service Executive of the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA). He offered a concise

overview of the Port of Hamburg from an operational and compliance point of view. Michael

Wendt, the CEO at Ewendts – Wendt GmbH, presented immediately after Daniel. In fact, he

was appointed by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg to deliver a nationwide

presentation at the Hamburg Port Anniversary Festival. Talks also alluded to the possibility

of Durban Port becoming a partner for the Annual Ports Festival in 2019 or thereabout. We

then closed the day with a welcome visit to the HPA SmartPort showroom. Here

knowledgeable facilitators Ms Zuesongdham and Mr Probst formally introduced the HPAs

SmartPort project using advanced computerised presentation systems.

The morning of Day 4 was spent at the HWF Hamburg Business Development Corporation

at the Ministry of Economy, Transport and Innovation. The Director of Marketing Services

Johannes Everke discussed strategy from a business development perspective and how it

integrates into the corporate Ministry objectives and those underlying the Smart Port City

expansion. The delegation spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking and processing

information from various visits, interactions and general exposure as well as how this could

be applied within the South African ambit. The evening was closed with a well-timed

networking dinner with Hamburg@Work. This was held at the NRV (Norddeutscher Regatta

Verein) yacht club. Here again we really felt the hospitality of the locals as they offered a

warm welcome to us. It was a memorable moment when our Durban Port Manager took the

opportunity to present NRV with a book on the history of our Royal Natal Yacht Club. A copy

of the book "Salt on the Sails" was given to NRV on behalf of RNYC and Mr Wolfgang

Weber received the book on behalf of NRV. The main facilitator Mr Neumann again took

care of our delegation as our long awaited visit tapered to a productive finish.

On the last day a site visit to Absolute GmbH was coordinated. This was facilitated by the

Chief Digital Officer, Mr Oliver Robling. It was an informative and engaging experience for

the delegation. Apart from learning about integrated IT systems and software solutions,

including cloud-based technology, we were able to engage in meaningful conversations

regarding the Smart Port City technology in general.

The day and successful trip was concluded with our departure and return to SA on the 12

August 2016.

Outcomes ~

The visit culminated into various positive and intended outcomes that by all standards

weighed well against our initial objectives set out. These are summarised below:



Delegates and attendees were able to garner significant insight into the IT,

infrastructure and utilities demands within scope of a functional and successful Smart

Port and City as a whole.

Synergistic associations were established, which will allow for ongoing dialogues and

international cooperation at a higher level.

The above will stimulate knowledge and skills transfer or development on an

advanced level, insofar as preparedness for Durban’s Smart Port endeavour is

concerned.

Key ties also forged with prospective and current consideration for service provision,

where beneficial. For instance, T-Systems, representing the backbone of the cloud-

based IT support in Hamburg has established a physical presence in SA. This

localised footprint makes access to skills and service provision much easier should

such be required or relied upon during Durban’s Smart Port City project.

The visit fostered engagement that brings focus to Durban and its Port in regards to

global maritime events. For example, we return with stronger prospects of hosting or

contributing to the renowned Annual Ports Festival, in the near future.

The visit also sets a precedent for future bilateral delegations, partnerships and joint

ventures.

Ultimately, with our delegation having safely returned and bursting at the seams with

knowledge, information and noteworthy experiences, there is no doubt that the trip to

Hamburg was a great success. The benefits of which will truly be exploited now that key

stakeholders like Transnet, SANRAL and T-Systems forge forward and play a significant role

in light of the Durban City’s underlying objectives to unveil Durban as a Smart Port City in

the near future. Finally, we are pleased that the trip is one more brick in building a great

foundation that enables closer and healthier ties between Germany and South Africa.

~ End ~

Proudly compiled by PR & Communications specialists Genesis Articles on behalf of the

Southern African - German Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Moshe Motlohi (left) Durban Port Manager with Mr

Felix Scheder-Bieschin, MD of MACS Maritime

Carrier Shipping GmbH & Co, as well as VP of NRV.

Mr Johannes Robert, a M.Sc student at the

Information Centre in Hamburg.

http://suedafrika.ahk.de/en/branch-offices/kwazulu-natal/

http://www.genesisarticles.co.za/

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