“After last year’s lack of salt in the State of the Nation Address (SONA), I am wholly uninclined to get excited about another year of pronouncements of what “we will” do from the government. In 2025 during his eighth SONA, President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a long list of commitments for the government by prefacing his sentences with “we will” while simultaneously failing to revisit significant maritime-related issues that had been raised during previous SONAs.” This year, editor, Colleen Jacka advocates for a more strategic engagement from key government departments to address issues frustrating the development of a maritime nation.

SEYCHELLES: An Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) was launched off a partner nation’s vessel for the first time during a training exercise conducted by the Commander Task Force (CTF) 66 as part of Cutlass Express 2026.

ANGOLA: Scheduled for completion in 2027, a 12,600 line kilometre multi-client 2D survey offshore Angola aims to deliver critical data to significantly enhance regional geological understanding.

SEYCHELLES: News emanating from a State Visit to India by the president of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Hermine includes confirmation of India’s offer to sponsor the refit of one of the coast guard vessels as well as to assist in the establishment of a hydrographic unit.

The International Maritime Organisation’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) issued a report at the beginning of the month outlining more than 100 documented cases of fraudulent seafarer documentation reported over from 2024 to the end of January this year.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African government has recognised a new abalone ranching concession area along the Western Cape coast near Papendorp, opening the site to commercial applications for the first time.

SOUTH AFRICA: After hosting engagements in KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape, the South African Maritime Safety Authority will move to the Western Cape this week where they will stage a host of engagements in Mossel Bay, Gansbaai, Cape Town, Hout Bay, Lamberts Bay and Saldanha Bay.

CMA CGM has announced an upgrade to their WAX services which will now feature three dedicated loops that includes two new services in the Asia to West Africa schedules.