LIBERIA: After being named as the Acting Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) last week, J Cyrus Saygbe officially stepped into the position on Monday with a commitment to address the challenges currently facing the organisation.

A contract to refurbish the FPSO Baobab Ivoirien, which has been in operation offshore Côte d'Ivoire since 2003, will see the vessel’s lifespan extended by another 15 years, ensuring sustained energy production for West Africa.

SEYCHELLES: Hydrographic data totalling four terabytes that highlighted 87 previously unknown shipwrecks was handed over to the Ministry of Transport last week by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO).

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiming to capitalise on the private sector interest in participating in the port and rail sectors, Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy has launched a Request for Information to develop infrastructure from “pit to port” for specific mineral resource corridors as well as port and terminal infrastructure for an automotive corridor.

SOUTH AFRICA: In a generous invitation to clients and service providers, Offshore Maritime Services (OMS) hosted an intimate breakfast session with business coach and author, Kathi Hyde to introduce them to her style of coaching and launch her new book, Just Whose Business Is It?

SOUTH AFRICA: Describing the potential of extracting and monetising the country’s oil and gas reserves as a potential economic game changer, Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe told delegates at the 4^th Southern Africa Oil and Gas Conference in Cape Town yesterday that tapping into these resources would help eliminate the need to raise taxes.

Hailing the development of their digitalisation strategy as a game changer for smart shipping, the International Maritime Organisation’s Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has emphasised the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies such as AI and autonomous navigation, while recognizing related challenges, including cybersecurity risks and the global digital divide. 

SOUTH AFRICA: Prompted by the latest gazetting of proposed regulations aimed at the offshore bunkering industry, stakeholders have joined forces to establish the Bunkering Industry Association of South Africa (BIASA) which will represent and advocate for the interests of the sector.