After announcing his intention to gazette draft regulations as a follow up to those released in February this year to manage the environmental aspects of offshore bunkering, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s updated regulations were officially published this past Friday and clearly extend the intended scope significantly. Editor, Colleen Jacka, reads through the new regulations and reports on some of the changes and implications.

NIGERIA: The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Quorra this week initiated its maiden Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) training, following its accreditation as a certified maritime training institute late last year.

SOUTH AFRICA: Built at a cost of R120 million and due to take over more than just the pollution control functions in the Port of Cape Town, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) welcomed their new multi-purpose catamaran this morning with a blessing and christening ceremony.

SENEGAL: The Dakar-Praia maritime link, scheduled to be operational by the end of 2026, came under discussion at a workshop that kicked off on Monday in Dakar to evaluate and validate the financial options available to implement the strategic link.

KENYA: Two new mist blower fogging units have been installed at the Port of Mombasa to curb harmful dust emissions during bulk cargo operations.

SOUTH AFRICA: The three Blacktip Reef Sharks that landed at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport recently after a 10-hour flight from Kenya were promptly transported to the National Zoological Garden (NZG) in Pretoria where they joined more than 200 colourful marine fish as the inland aquarium eeks to offer visitors a rich glimpse of into the wonders of ocean life.

GHANA: In a step towards enhancing maritime safety and economic development, the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) visited the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA), to discuss potential areas of collaboration and shared hydrographic challenges.

KENYA: The Women Leadership Development Course (WLDC), an initiative by the Kenya Navy and funded by the Danish Government through the Kenya-Denmark Cooperation under the Gender Pillar, is currently underway at the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC).