SOUTH AFRICA: Although last week’s cabinet announcement of a new Chief Executive Officer for the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) will be welcomed by the industry, it does not provide any clarification as to why Captain Rufus Lekala, who was the subject of the same announcement almost exactly a year ago, never took up the position.  

The new Regulations for the Environmental Management of Offshore Ship-To-Ship Transfer gazetted at the end of August may still face legal push-back as industry stakeholders seek legal advice on challenging certain aspects.

SOUTH AFRICA: Permits in the Small Pelagic sector that were due to expire at the end of August have been extended until 30 October due to delays in the finalisation of appeals in the sector – highlighting the ongoing dismal legacy attached to the 2021/22 Fishing Rights Allocation Process (FRAP).

CMA CGM has launched a new service to streamline trade between Asia and Africa connecting the Far East to Kenya, Tanzania and the Indian Ocean.

A new partnership between the Nippon Foundation–GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project and ProtectedSeas will further initiatives to foster collaborative efforts to build a comprehensive picture of the ocean and seabed.

SOUTH AFRICA: Captain Vuyani Ntsimango has been appointed as the new Harbour Master at the multi-cargo Port of Port Elizabeth (PoPE), effective July 2025.

SIERRA LEONE: A multi-day maritime operation to promote regional cooperation and strengthen the capacity of member states to combat maritime threats was launched in Freetown on Monday.

TANZANIA: Discussions to cooperate to building capacity in the maritime sector were held during a visit from the President of the World Maritime University (WMU) to Tanzania.