NIGERIA: After announcing the intention to distribute 42,000 lifejackets to waterway users across the country, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola handed over the first batch of 3,500 on Friday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

MADAGASCAR: Held last month, a forum, with the objective of strengthening Africa’s youth participation in the continent’s Blue Economy, has called on the African Union to integrate recommendations into the Africa Blue Economy Strategy and African Youth Charter.  

While the number of incidents reported from Africa ports have decreased, statistics show that Africa is still the main hotspot for stowaway embarkations.

BENIN: Entering the Autonomous Port of Cotonou last week Friday, the Crystal Symphony was officially the largest cruise ship to enter the port and helped affirm the country’s growing appeal for international cruise passengers.

MAURITIUS: “Port safety and security is our top priority. It is the security of the state and there should be no compromise”, reaffirmed the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Dr Arvin Boolell, at the opening ceremony of a National Tabletop Exercise and Workshop on Development of a National Maritime Security Committee.

KENYA: A regional workshop led by the International Maritime Organisation in Mombasa has helped maritime professionals in Eastern and Southern Africa enhance their understanding of flag States’ obligations under IMO conventions, and how to authorise Recognized Organisations to ensure these obligations are met. 

GHANA: MPS Terminal 3 at the Port of Tema recently received one of the world’s largest container ships, the 400-metre-long MSC Türkiye, effectively helping position the port as a major transshipment and trade hub along the West African coast.

LIBERIA: In a groundbreaking milestone for Liberia’s fisheries sector, the Bushrod Island fishing community of Banjor is now home to the country’s first-ever fibreglass fishing vessel production site, an initiative made possible through funding from the World Bank under the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP).