EFF statement on the ongoing Suez Canal crisis affecting global and local trade

29 December 2023

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes with concern the ongoing SUEZ CANAL international crisis, caused by the conflicts in the Middle East which have disrupted the worlds busiest trade sea routes and the global economy.

The Red Sea accounts for more than 17 000 ships passing through it annually, and 12% of global trade passes through the Red Sea, including 30% of global container traffic.

Further to this, more than 7 million barrels of oil pass through this route, and delays will cause an increase in petrol prices, a shortage in various goods and more distress to an already collapsing global economy.

The EFF wishes to reiterate our unwavering support to the oppressed people of Palestine who are at the receiving end of brutal and inhumane genocidal attacks and ethnic cleansing by Zionist forces of Apartheid Israel and we call for international solidarity to the Palestinian cause.

We condemn the imperialist United States of America, which is a strong ally of Apartheid Israel for their immense contribution and role in the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East and particularly the Red Sea Conflict.

Their continued military occupation of Palestine and refusal to allow humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine has played a significant contribution to the blockade, and nation states frustrated at this disturbance should hold accountable the main contributors.

The United States has since announced a maritime coalition to defend shipping from attacks which will only amplify the violence and tensions to increased levels.

As the conflict and attacks escalate, shipping companies have rerouted their shipments to pass along the Cape Route in South Africa and our neighbouring countries to avoid drone and missiles attacks. This will see a huge increase in ships docking our ports and the maritime industry, particularly the maritime bunkering services which needs to ready itself to assist alleviate the crisis.

It is important to note that five (5) of the six (6) major shipping international companies such MAERSK and MSC have rerouted their vessels and part of their 55 vessels are headed to South Africa.

In order to rescue the international shipping industry, the EFF calls upon the South African Government, Department of Transport and particularly the South African Revenue Services (SARS) to immediately lift the Algoa Bay moratium on the immediate suspension of operations and the detention of the vessels to allow Off-Port-Limit Service (OPLS) to marine bunker services to fuel passing shipments.

The indefinite suspension and detention of bunker vessels since 12 September 2023 by SARS without due regard and understanding of the detrimental consequences, is unfair to operators, SMME's and hundreds of residents of Nelson Mandela Bay who benefit through the form of employment since the launch of #0perationPhakisa and have since been rendered jobless.

The EFF calls for SARS to remove the moratium on OPL's and for South Africa to play its meaningful role in supporting international trade and the need to seize the opportunity to grow the maritime industry and place South Africa as a strategic maritime nation during this massive rerouting.

We further call upon the South Africa government to ban all ships heading to and from Israel and to ban all ships with ties to Israel as we alleviate the crisis and continue stand in solidarity with Palestinian people!

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 29 December 2023