NAMIBIA: The country’s status as an oil and gas producer is gaining momentum with the announcement of the discovery of light oil in the Orange Basin.

KENYA: The deadline for applying to become one of the 30 handpicked projects that will be given an opportunity to pitch their maritime ideas to a panel of investors is looming on 26 January.

Having been involved in preparing one of the largest South African delegations to attend the World Maritime University (WMU) in 2013 when the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) sponsored a cohort of 27 students for the year-long course  – Tebogo Ramatjie had the opportunity to join the international maritime programme this past academic year and reflects on the experience.

SENEGAL: The FPSO, Léopold Sédar Senghor, left Singapore this week for Senegal where it will be deployed 100 kilometres south of Dakar as part of Senegal’s first offshore oil development by Woodside Energy (Senegal) BV as operator of the Sangomar Field Development Phase 1.

Support from major international maritime organisations as more shipping lines announce their decisions to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope will likely highlights the importance of crew safety despite the significant additional shipping time that this represents.

GHANA: Two new next-generation tugs were delivered last week to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) for use in the ports of Takoraid and Tema.

MAURITIUS: Willy van Niekerk has been appointed as the new general manager of Taylor Smith Shipyard (TSS) – the oldest ship repair facility in the country.

The deteriorating situation currently unfolding in the Red Sea could see more ship traffic opting to forgo the Suez Canal and diverting around Africa to ensure the safety of their vessels and crew.