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.

ANGOLA: Last week’s Angola Oil and Gas (AOG 2023) Conference emphasised the pressing topics currently at the heart of international developments within the oil and gas sectors and unpacked viable solutions for continued exploration and production within the Angolan as well as African context.

SOUTH AFRICA: An accident involving an off port limits launch in Algoa Bay last week clearly highlights the need for crew to remain focused in order to prevent fatalities during incidents at sea - and the crew on board the service barge, Hercules, should be commended for their reactions during a particularly dangerous situation.

NIGERIA: A converted barge was recently delivered to Nigeria to commence work on the Lagos Lagoon after almost two years of building at Concordia Damen.

SOUTH AFRICA: Ambitions to gazette Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Codes for the transport sector by March next year mean that the maritime industry should anticipate the introduction of sub-sector codes without any transition phase.

SOUTH AFRICA: The first four hydraulic tension mooring units will arrive in October this year for use in the Ports of Cape Town and Ngqura with the remaining 48 units due to be delivered by the end of 2025.

SOUTH AFRICA: The National Department of Transport (NDoT) has issued the long-awaited call for the provision of an emergency towing vessel (ETV) service that will operate on a 24/7 basis to ensure emergency response around the South African coastline and within the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).