SOUTH AFRICA: The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) co-hosted a roundtable discussion with the Embassy of France in Cape Town on Friday to reflect on the outcomes of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) and explore future steps for the country.

SOUTH AFRICA: In a bid to fuel the growing interest in maritime-related subjects at high school level, the Lawhill Maritime Academy in Simon’s Town hosted educators from across the country at the beginning of the winter school holidays to provide access to industry experts.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Institute for Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (SAIMENA) officially celebrated their 50^th anniversary with synchronised dinners hosted in Cape Town and Durban on Friday night.

THE GAMBIA: The President of the Republic of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, presided over the official foundation stone laying ceremony for the Sanyang Deep Sea Port earlier this month as The Gambia Ports officially launched the beginning of the project.

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.