The Invest in African Energy Forum held in Paris last month highlighted some of the current investments underway across the continent including ExxonMobil’s $10 billion plans in Nigeria, to TotalEnergies’ multibillion-dollar ventures in Mozambique and Namibia, and Eni’s gas monetisation projects in Libya and the Republic of Congo.

SOUTH AFRICA: In an initiative to improve labour standards and promote decent work in the commercial fishing sector, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and the Department of Employment and Labour’s (DEL) Inspectorate and Enforcement Services Branch have started joint inspections on fishing vessels operating out of Cape Town.

MOZAMBIQUE: President Daniel Chapo attended a ceremony at the Matola Coal Terminal on Friday to celebrate the expansion of the Coal Terminal and the the inauguration of the new headquarters of Grindrod Moçambique.

SOUTH AFRICA: In a surprising turn of events, SAMSA Maritime Special Projects (MSP) is not listed amongst the bidders for the ship management contract to run the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s (DFFE) SA Agulhas II and Algoa which closed earlier this month.

NIGERIA: Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), a subsidiary of Shell plc, signed an agreement with TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited this week to acquire its 12.5% stake in the OML 118 Production Sharing Contract (OML 118 PSC), an oil mining lease offshore Nigeria that includes the Bonga field. Upon completion, this transaction increases Shell’s interest in the OML 118 PSC from 55% to 67.5%

CAMEROON: Maritime officials in Cameroon received essential training to develop a national action plan for cutting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping last week when a workshop led by the International Maritime Organisation brought together representatives from the national port authority, government ministries and other stakeholders. 

MAURITIUS: Demonstrating the impact of the Fishermen Welfare Fund (FWF) which was established in 2000, the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell visited a fisherwoman from Bambous-Virieux this week to present her with financial assistance.

SEYCHELLES: President Wavel Ramkalawan attended the Seychelles Maritime Academy (SMA) graduation ceremony which celebrated the academic accomplishments of 104 students completing certificate and advanced certificate programmes—an important milestone for the country's maritime education sector.