SOUTH AFRICA: Rumours that the current Acting Chief Executive Officer of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) had resigned and was serving out her notice period have been confirmed and the maritime industry will be anticipating that the Authority uses this opportunity to finalise the process to appoint a permanent CEO.

High level international trends including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the Russian war in the Ukraine have had an effect on the LNG industry – but the African Energy Chamber is predicting further shifts within Africa in its latest report. Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber’s (AEC), NJ Ayuk highlights what to expect.

The International Maritime Organisation and its member states are today celebrating World Maritime Day, but with 44 of these members in Africa, one needs to consider the continent’s position within the international body as we head towards the election of council members at the end of the year. Editor, Colleen Jacka takes a closer look. 

ANGOLA: TotalEnergies EP Angola Block 20 has finalised the sale to Petronas Angola E&P LTD (PAEPL) of a 40% interest in Block 20 in the Kwanza Basin in Angola. The transaction was completed for an amount of $400 million as at January 1st, 2023, subject to customary price adjustments.

SOMALIA: EUCAP is supporting a process to develop a policy for the protection of the marine environment in the region that can be used by the local authorities to secure that the waters and coasts are used in a sustainable way.

SOMALIA: The establishment and refurbishment of a Maritime Operations Centre in Bossaso is boosting local capacity to enhance maritime law enforcement and police capacity.

SOUTH AFRICA: A local shipyards has expressed disappointment at what seems like an apparent departure from strategies to support the local ship building sector, with Transnet National Ports Authority calling for proposals for the supply of five second hand tugs for use in the country’s eight commercial ports.

LIBERIA: A World Bank Grant of US$2 million will be rolled out to hundreds of women fishmongers across Liberian fishing communities in an effort to improve the impact of their businesses. The grant will be implemented by the Conversation International through the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP) under the National fisheries and Aquaculture Authority of Liberia.