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.

SOUTH AFRICA: Bombarded by negative news on a daily basis, Maritime Review is recognising four headliners from 2025 that helped deliver positive news from the private as well as public sectors, and showcased the impact of industry initiatives as well as drives to minimise the impact of the marine enterprises on the environment.

It’s been a turbulent few years for Sobantu Tilayi who has now officially announced his resignation from the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). Editor, Colleen Jacka, caught up with Tilayi in his car as he left a meeting in Pretoria to discuss his time at SAMSA as well as plans for the future.

MAURITANIA: The Mauritania MegaSurvey comprising over 100,000 km² of modern seismic data was launched yesterday by TGS as a large-scale multi-client 3D seismic project designed to support exploration across offshore Mauritania and the wider West African Atlantic Margin.

SOUTH AFRICA: Only two of the SAMSA board members appointed by Cabinet at the end of August 2023 for a period of three years remain on the list released after last week’s Cabinet meeting despite a full year remaining on their tenure.