SOUTH AFRICA: Discoveries of oil on the main beaches of Strandfontein on the West Coast last week have been confirmed by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) to have emanated from the wreck of the Ultra Galaxy which is currently being removed by a Chinese contractor in the area.

ANGOLA: AD Ports Group officially began its long-term management and development of Noatum Ports Luanda Terminal with local partners in Angola yesterday.

UGANDA: Aimed at economic progress and improving trade logistics, the RORO vessel, the MV Mpungu was commissioned in Uganda marking a significant step towards providing a more sustainable logistics solution for Lake Victoria.

SOUTH AFRICA: Having been contracted to undertake the wreck removal of the Ultra Galaxy off the coast near Lutzville, Shanghai Salvage Co mobilised their grab dredger to the Port of Cape Town in December last year and has to date removed over 3,748 tons of material from the seabed and wreckage.

SOUTH AFRICA: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is calling for public comment on draft regulations relating to the entry of foreign fishing vessels into South African waters which aim to provide clarity on procedures applicable to foreign fishing vessels wishing to transit local waters or enter the country’s ports.

SOUTH AFRICA: Yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed into law the Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment Bill which aims to provide stronger measures to better protect the country’s oceans from ship-related pollution.

NAMIBIA: Describing the Orange Basin as “one of the world’s most promising oil and gas regions,” the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) has highlighted current trends in offshore exploration, appraisal and development activities across several Blocks.

Angola has become the latest country to sign the High Seas Treaty when Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Carmen do Sacramento, signed the document, at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York last week.