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.

SOUTH AFRICA: Hapag-Lloyd will offer dedicated weekly sailings for fresh grapes and fruit from South Africa to Europe from the end of December on their reefer fleet to accommodate exports.

MOZAMBIQUE: The launch of the National Capacity Development Programme for Marine Protected Area (MPA) Professionals this week in Mozambique represents a milestone in marine conservation for the country.

TANZANIA: Hosted by the Tanzania Shipping Agency Corporation (TASAC), port stakeholders met in Dar es Salaam this week to discuss the Tanzania Ports Authority’s (TPA) application for a review of port charges.

SOUTH AFRICA: A new study funded through a grant by the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) concludes that, until high levels of environmental rules, scrutiny and compliance is applied, offshore ship-to-ship bunker operations should not be permitted in areas such as Algoa Bay.

South African marine scientist Prof Lynne Shannon became the first South African to receive the Prince Albert I Grand Medal for Ocean Science at a ceremony in Paris this week.