OPINION PIECE: The Maritime Business Chamber (MBC) is reigniting the call for a Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Shipping as South Africa enters its 7^th Administration.

SOUTH AFRICA: This year’s boatica show will now include the inaugural Canyon Cup sailing race that will also serve as the Offshore Racing Congress’s (ORC) National Championship event.

SOUTH AFRICA: More than 20 South African companies joined the South African Oil and Gas Alliance’s (SAOGA) outward trade mission to Namibia last month to assess potential opportunities in their neighbour’s burgeoning offshore oil and gas sector.

SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has taken delivery of the first four tugboats to boost marine fleet availability and shipping efficiencies at the ports of Durban and East London.

SOUTH AFRICA: With just under 100 nominations, the annual South African Boat Builders Export Council (SABBEX) awards were hotly contested this year as the industry sought to celebrate the achievements of both individuals as well as companies within the sector.

LIBERIA: The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), in cooperation with the government of Liberia under the aegis of its National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) will host a regional meeting of the FCWC West Africa Task Force (WATF) to end illegal fishing this week in Monrovia to continue building cooperation in West Africa’s fisheries management.

GHANA: A consortium, including the African Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement to extend $94 million in senior debt funding to PMD Assetco Limited (PMD) for the construction and operation of a floating dock ship repair facility in Ghana’s western Takoradi port.

NIGERIA: A fleet of 15 boats was launched at the end of last month to provide high commercial operations by Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).