With 35 client ships headed for Algoa Bay for a planned bunker stem in the middle of September that had additional requirements for fresh provisions, crew changes, essential spare parts and many other normal ship servicing activities – Offshore Maritime Services (OMS) as well as many other companies were blindsided by the sudden and immediate termination of the offshore bunker operations in the Bay. Founder and General Manager of OMS, Godfrey Needham reflects on the impact of this decision and how it has prompted the closure of their Port Elizabeth branch.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) has embarked on the process to accurately define the country’s ocean economy with the view to being able to accurately quantify its contribution to the nation's overall economic development.

Africa’s ocean migration route continues to result in the loss of death of people at sea and, according to a new report published by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), 2023 has 2023 has already earned the unenviable record of being the deadliest year on this migration route since 2017.

SOUTH AFRICA: Stefanutti Stocks was identified as the successful bidder of the request for proposals issued by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) in July this year to undertake the deepening and strengthening of N Berth in the Port of East London.

SEYCHELLES: In his opening address at Fisheries Week, which was also attended by President Wavel Ramkalawan, Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, Jean-François Ferrari highlighted the opportunities for careers within the sector.

SOUTH AFRICA: Felix Ratheb, Chief Executive of Sea Harvest was elected to chair the International Groundfish Forum (IGF) at the Groundfish Forum held last month in Greece.

SOUTH AFRICA: Now with six centres in South Africa, Sea Safety Training Group (SSTG) is continuing to invest in equipment to meet the training needs of those interested in pursuing a career at sea, having taken delivery of lathes and milling machines for a new workshop course at their Milnerton facilities in Cape Town.

ZAMBIA: The need to establish a continental Aquaculture Knowledge Hub was discussed at a consultative workshop last week in Lusaka in a bid to improve effective knowledge management and collaborative efforts within the African aquaculture sector.