SOUTH AFRICA: The Department of Transport released four separate pieces of draft regulations during the last week of December focusing on fishing vessel construction, fisher welfare and radio installations.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is investigating an incident that resulted in the successful evacuation of 21 crewmembers from a fishing vessel that caught fire and grounded near Cape Recife Lighthouse off Port Elizabeth yesterday.

The global shipping industry is systematically squandering opportunities to slash fuel costs and emissions, not because solutions don't exist, but because perverse incentives and fractured organisational cultures make inefficiency the rational choice, according to a hard-hitting new report from the Global Maritime Forum.

KENYA: The United Nations Development Capital Fund (UNCDF), through the Global Coral Reef Fund (Gfcr), have signed two new financing agreements to expand coral reef-friendly businesses in Kenya helping to reduce the load of nutrients and pathogens in coastal waters, create local jobs, and boost the circular economy in the country.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is actively monitoring the situation involving the seafarers aboard the bulk carrier MV Sea Lord, which has been detained in the Port of Ngqura since November 14, 2025, following a Port State Control (PSC) inspection that identified 42 deficiencies, including the non-payment of crew wages.

A set of amendments to key IMO treaties and Codes have entered into force on 1 January 2026. They include the following: 

The International Flag-State Association (IFA), an association of the world’s three largest registries is seeking consultative status at the International Maritime Organisation in a bid to become more active in international policymaking.

ANGOLA: Currently undergoing upgrades in Dubai, Global Fuel Supply’s (GFS) first owned tanker will enter into service as the MV Blue Alliance as the first MFM-equipped bunker vessel to operate in Angola.