LIBERIA: Having announced a five-year strategic plan to revitalise the country’s oil and gas sector last month, separate announcements over the last week revealed two separate deals in the offshore licence space as Liberia confirms the first upstream petroleum agreements in more than 10 years.

SOUTH AFRICA: After the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) appointed a transaction advisor to validate the Island View Precinct Strategy and Implementation Plan in November last year, the Minister of Transport has now instructed the authority to simply renew all existing leases and given the Central Energy Fund (CEF) permission to build and operate a new Single Buoy Mooring (SBM) in the Port of Durban.

Among four countries to deposit their instruments of acceptance this week, Kenya helped tip the scale to see the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to enter into force.

SOUTH AFRICA: Despite claiming a leading position as a supplier of boats and yachts to the international market, South Africa has not been able to drive a vibrant domestic boating culture to support further growth in local boat building.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) is preparing to undergo assessment for a fifth certification from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a globally recognised ecolabel for sustainable wild-caught seafood.

GHANA: The Government of Ghana and international charity Mercy Ships have reaffirmed their partnership, announcing that the Global Mercy™ hospital ship will sail to Ghana in August next year.

GHANA: Ghana is taking preparatory steps towards a cleaner shipping industry with the completion of the pre-feasibility study on Green Shipping Corridors, which culminated in a consortium incubation workshop at the beginning of the month.

GHANA: In an effort to enhance safety on Volta Lake, the Ghana Maritime Authority has deployed a new search and rescue vessel.