Attending the Africa Maritime Cabotage and Blue Economy Conference hosted by the Republic of Kenya last month, Unathi Sonti, chairperson of the Maritime Business Chamber reflects on the discussions that dominated the event and highlights key outcomes aimed at unlocking the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)’s potential by rethinking the maritime cabotage and blue economy model to improve connectivity.

INTERNATIONAL: Following the decision to postpone the roll-call vote requested by the Russian Federation on Friday, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Assembly today undertook to finalise a decision on whether to adopt a resolution put forward by the Technical Cooperation Committee that condemns the Russian invasion of Ukrainian territories as well as the resultant impact on international shipping in the region, maritime infrastructure and global food security.

The International Maritime Organisation Assembly (IMO) is expected to consider a request from Russian Federation to vote on a question of whether the Technical Cooperation Committee (TCC’s) can be used as an instrument for penalising a Member State when they reconvene today. Editor, Colleen Jacka, takes a look at the question being posed.

Yesterday’s election yielded the anticipated results in Category A and B of the International Maritime Organisation’s Council, while a hotly contested Category C left one of the African candidates disappointed with the results.

ANGOLA: Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, Angola’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, confirmed the nation’s decision to reject the proposed production quota of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for 2024.

GULF OF ADEN: A skiff and its crew were taken into custody following a united response to reports of a seizure of an oil tanker in international waters this week.

NIGERIA: Equinor and Chappal Energies have entered into an agreement for the sale of Equinor Nigeria Energy Company (ENEC), which holds a 53.85% ownership in oil and gas lease OML 128, including the unitised 20.21% stake in the country’s largest deep-water field, Agbami, operated by Chevron.

SOUTH AFRICA: The imminent closure of the ArcelorMittal Newcastle ‘long’ steel products operation in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, is likely to cause considerable turbulence within the local steel sector, with potential projected ‘knock-on’ effects including product shortages, quality issues and even price increases, according to Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) Chief Executive Officer, Amanuel Gebremeskel.