31 JULY 2025, CAPE TOWN – Two shipping containers central to South Africa’s first harbour-based fishing net recycling initiative were successfully delivered to Collier Jetty at the V&A Waterfront this week, marking a major milestone for the pilot project launched in May.
The containers, supplied by Container World, will be used to house the Ocean Plastics Technologies (OPT) micro-recycling processing plant and the other to store end-of-life fishing nets awaiting processing. One of the containers was generously donated by Container World, which also donated a small office module to support the project. Despite the logistical challenges of a busy working harbour, Industrial Rigging Solutions donated the use of a crane and provided professional rigging services to offload both units safely and efficiently.
The project is led by OCEAN Action Network in partnership with OPT and hosted by the V&A Waterfront, with support from the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) and funding from the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC’s) Ocean Stewardship Fund.
The containers will enable the on-site recycling of end-of-life fishing nets into reusable plastic materials, reducing landfill waste, preventing ghost gear pollution and supporting a circular economy within the fishing industry.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity of Container World and the skilled support of Industrial Rigging Solutions,” said Estelle van der Merwe, Managing Director of OCEAN. “This initiative would not be possible without the assistance of the V&A Waterfront, our core partner Ocean Plastic Technologies, and the backing of SADSTIA and the MSC. We look forward to encouraging SADSTIA’s members and other fishing companies to recycle end-of-life nets through this facility and are excited to bring this collaborative model to life.”
The next phase of the project begins on 5 August, when the components of the recycling plant will arrive from OPT for assembly. This technology – to be housed in the first container – will include equipment to shred, wash, dry and densify used fishing nets on-site. Once operational in September, it will become the first facility of its kind in South Africa.
The project aims to create a scalable, circular economy solution for marine plastic waste right at the harbour’s edge. It will also create awareness of the importance of recycling among residents and visitors to the V&A Waterfront. Read more here.
Despite logistical challenges, Industrial Rigging Solutions delivered both containers safely and efficiently to Collier Jetty in the V&A Waterfront using a crane
Estelle van der Merwe of OCEAN and Thomas Hansen of OPT celebrate the installation of the two containers at Collier Jetty in the V&A Waterfront
