SOUTH AFRICA: Joining the SA Agulhas II for a trip from East London to Cape Town last weekend, members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee were given a first-hand glimpse of the vessel’s capabilities as well as its importance in sustaining global efforts to study the ocean’s role in climate change.

SOUTH AFRICA: Having published his intention to allocate abalone found in the Eastern Cape to the small-scale fishing sector, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dion George has called for public comment.

LIBERIA: The Liberian Fisheries Authority (NaFAA) handed over the patrol vessel, Lone Star to the Ministry of National Defence for use by the Liberia Coast Guard to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing as well as enhance compliance and enforcement across the nine coastal Counties.

SEYCHELLES: Seychelles’ draft Marine Spatial Plan has been made available for public comment for a 28-day period.

After failing to regain a seat on the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Council at the end of 2023, Nigeria and South Africa have indicated their intention to stand for election at the end of this year and officials from both countries are already publicly expressing the validity of their inclusion.

SOUTH AFRICA:  Two of Transnet National Ports Authority’s tugboats will go on auction later this month at a starting bid of R2,5 million each.

CONGO: AD Ports Group and the CMA CGM Group have formed a joint venture to develop, manage, and operate New East Mole multipurpose terminal at the Port of Pointe Noire in the Republic of the Congo.

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.