The International Maritime Organisation’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) issued a report at the beginning of the month outlining more than 100 documented cases of fraudulent seafarer documentation reported over from 2024 to the end of January this year.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African government has recognised a new abalone ranching concession area along the Western Cape coast near Papendorp, opening the site to commercial applications for the first time.

SOUTH AFRICA: After hosting engagements in KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape, the South African Maritime Safety Authority will move to the Western Cape this week where they will stage a host of engagements in Mossel Bay, Gansbaai, Cape Town, Hout Bay, Lamberts Bay and Saldanha Bay.

CMA CGM has announced an upgrade to their WAX services which will now feature three dedicated loops that includes two new services in the Asia to West Africa schedules.

NAMIBIA: TotalEnergies has signed agreements to acquire a 42.5% operated interest in PEL104 Exploration license, located offshore Namibia, from Eight Offshore Investments Holdings (Eight) and Maravilla Oil & Gas.

The Gemini Cooperation, an operational collaboration between AP Moller – Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, will reroute vessels through the Red Sea and Suez Canal with naval assistance from the middle of this month.

SOUTH AFRICA: Detailed plans for the corporatisation of the Transnet National Ports Authority may finally be completed by next month according to a report back on the latest progress report on Operation Vulindlela.

SOUTH AFRICA: The SAS Amatola set sail for India as the South African Navy made a significant return to long-range deployments as the frigate made the voyage to participate in the 2026 International Fleet Review and Exercise MILAN hosted by the Indian Navy.