Dear Captain Lekala

I think I can speak on behalf of many in the South African maritime industry when I say we are looking forward to seeing a permanent CEO take up position at the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). When the cabinet announced your appointment in September, however, I had hoped you would join earlier than the now anticipated April start date.

MAURITIUS:  A five-day training initiative aimed at elevating port security hosted by the Ministry of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries kicked off on Monday in Port Louis.

SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet SOC Ltd has ordered a suite simulator training that includes Tug Bridge, Engine Room, Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) and Global Distress Safety System (GMDSS) simulation to replicate immersive training aspects of a port environment.

EGYPT: The addition of an electric Reach Stacker (eRS) at the Suez Canal Container Terminal (SCCT) will act as a pilot over the course of the next few months with the goal of advancing the electrification of terminal operations across the industry.

SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet has received the first tranche of its its $1 billion loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) which aims to stabilise the State Owned Entitity and support its investment plan to upgrade existing infrastructure while enhancing key logistic chain segments.  

ETHIOPIA: The adoption of a new fisheries bureau and the development of action plans for Africa’s fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic biodiversity sectors were central to discussions at a meeting held this week in Addis Ababa.

Established last month by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), the International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience, contains ten African members including a co-chair from Nigeria.