KENYA: The first group of 10 cadets from Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) have begun their sea-time training programme, consisting of two six-month onboard placements thanks to a partnership with Danica Crewing Specialists.

NovaMarine is now an official supplier of August Race products – the ultimate in premium marine maintenance and detailing solutions. From professional boat cleaning to protection and restoration, August Race helps you keep your vessel looking brand new, inside and out.

Heavy Lift, a division of CFAO Equipment, reports that 95% of its business over the past 12 months emanated from equipment rentals, highlighting a strong industry trend toward flexible, capital-efficient alternatives to owning heavy lifting machinery.

“After last year’s lack of salt in the State of the Nation Address (SONA), I am wholly uninclined to get excited about another year of pronouncements of what “we will” do from the government. In 2025 during his eighth SONA, President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a long list of commitments for the government by prefacing his sentences with “we will” while simultaneously failing to revisit significant maritime-related issues that had been raised during previous SONAs.” This year, editor, Colleen Jacka advocates for a more strategic engagement from key government departments to address issues frustrating the development of a maritime nation.

SEYCHELLES: An Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) was launched off a partner nation’s vessel for the first time during a training exercise conducted by the Commander Task Force (CTF) 66 as part of Cutlass Express 2026.

ANGOLA: Scheduled for completion in 2027, a 12,600 line kilometre multi-client 2D survey offshore Angola aims to deliver critical data to significantly enhance regional geological understanding.

SEYCHELLES: News emanating from a State Visit to India by the president of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Hermine includes confirmation of India’s offer to sponsor the refit of one of the coast guard vessels as well as to assist in the establishment of a hydrographic unit.

The International Maritime Organisation’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) issued a report at the beginning of the month outlining more than 100 documented cases of fraudulent seafarer documentation reported over from 2024 to the end of January this year.