SEYCHELLES: The island State’s ocean patrol capabilities were strengthened over the weekend when the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain officially handed over four patrol boats to the Coast Guard of Seychelles.

NIGERIA: The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) is investigating an incident that occurred on the Jebba Lake Channel last week in which over 100 ferry passengers died after a boating accident.

TANZANIA: Together, the African Development Bank and the Government of the Republic of Tanzania will make just over $54m available for a Skills Development for Youth Employability in Blue Economy Project which was launched in mid-May this year.

Concerned by the increasingly sophisticated equipment being used to visit the wreck site of the RMS Titanic which was identified in 1985, the United Kingdom and the United States of America have submitted a request to the International Maritime Organisation for other member states to accede to the Agreement concerning the Shipwrecked Vessel RMS Titanic.

SOUTH AFRICA: After docking at the V&A Waterfront, the Energy Observer, coupled to their mobile expo, will engage with the public in a week-long stay to promote the work being undertaken by the team in moving shipping towards its goals of becoming greener.

SOUTH AFRICA: Despite the prolonged fishing rights allocation process and the fact that the appeals process is ongoing, the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) reports that continued engagement amongst its members as well as with government has helped maintain the body's position in the industry.

NIGERIA: The Nigerian Navy signed a contract with a Turkish shipyard on Friday for the refit and remodelling of their flagship frigate, the NNS Aradu.

Based on its geographical position and history within the Maritime sector, South Africa possesses a great potential to provide industry leadership on the African content and can act as a key driver of the African Maritime Agenda, but recent developments including the loss of their seat on the International Maritime Organization Council should prompt the country’s leadership to take stock of its future position in this regard.