SOUTH AFRICA: Admitting that the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) had failed to provide effective oversight of the ports over the last ten years, Lebohang Ntwampe, Transport Economist at the DPE, made a commitment to correct this during yesterday’s Port Consultative Committee (PCC) roadshow session for Cape Town port users.

Only four African ports reflected positive change in the newest global Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) published by the World Bank this week.

Announcing the release of a seafarer who had been stuck on board a Tanzanian flagged vessel for more than a decade, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has hailed the African flag as one of the worst offenders for failing to step in when crew have been abandoned.

The International Association of Ports & Harbors (IAPH) has commissioned a study of ports in selected countries from Africa, South America, the Indian Subcontinent, Asia and the Pacific Islands Region to investigate energy-related port investments.

Two ship registries strongly associated with ‘dark fleet’ transportation – Gabon and Eswatini – are the latest additions to the ITF’s Flags of Convenience (FOC) list. 

LIBERIA: The Management of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority, NaFAA officially launched its Fisheries Integrated Management System earlier this month which will streamline the application, management, and licencing and authorisation of permits in the country’s fishing sector.

A multi-national maritime operation, supported by 13 nations, eight ships and five aircraft, as well as four unmanned surface vessels and three maritime operation centres took place at the beginning of the month under the guidance of the Brazilian Navy-led Combined Task Force 151.