SOUTH AFRICA: The recently published Draft Merchant Shipping (National Small Vessel Safety Regulations) that are currently available for comment have highlighted the need for more appropriate definitions relating to what constitutes a passenger on small vessels.

INTERNATIONAL: Research aimed at providing critical information to map the cruise sector’s real-time energy needs, infrastructure and regulations has been commissioned by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in an effort to steer the industry towards a sustainable future.

Generating a diverse range of waste including hazardous materials, the maritime sector requires specialised waste management services to ensure environmental sustainability and compliance with local and international legislation. 

Over the last two months African organisations and institutions have called on maritime experts to assist in developing research and knowledge across several sectors including fisheries, shipbuilding, environmental management, and port infrastructure needs. These tenders were issued for studies in Kenya, South Africa, Somalia, Mauritius and Egypt.

ANGOLA: After significant ground work and collaboration, the inception of the Southern African Community Development (SADC) Atlantic Project took place Luanda, Angola last month with the goal to support coordinated efforts of Angola, Namibia, and South Africa to mitigate illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and organised crime in the fisheries industry.

SOUTH AFRICA: Despite a challenging environment and subdued market conditions, Grindrod Limited (Grindrod), a JSE-listed freight logistics company, has posted seen a 29% growth in headline earnings to R1.4 billion for the year ending 31 December 2023.

SOUTH AFRICA: A Second Engineer from the Eastern Cape has been chosen as the first bursary student to study for an MSc in Marine Engineering Management through a partnership initiated last year between Business College of Athens (BCA) and the South African Maritime Training Academy (SAMTRA).

SOUTH AFRICA: After a number of significant events in 2023 that negatively impacted the operations and businesses of local Off Port Limits (OPL) operators, discussions highlighted the need for improved cooperation within the sector and the establishment of an industry association that could advocate on behalf of its members.