LIBERIA: Commander Norm Witt, a retired member of the US Coast Guard, has been appointed as Vice President, Port State Control Affairs of the Liberian Ship Registry.

SOUTH AFRICA: The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) says that it is confident about attracting another suitable investor after the exit of TotalEnergies from the offshore blocks 11b/12b and 5/6/7.

OPINION PIECE: There has been a lot of talk at international maritime conferences about diversity, equity and inclusion and there are more women in shipping than ever before, but the figures are still too low. Elpi Petraki, President WISTA International asks what is not working.

SOUTH AFRICA: According to a statement issued yesterday by Transnet, work is underway to complete the Memorandum of Incorporation and the Registration of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), but no real timelines were provided for the completion of the corporatisation of the authority which is mandated by the National Ports Act.

NIGERIA: The new Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) officially took up office this month with a commitment to increase productivity and efficiency.

SOUTH AFRICA: Four companies have submitted bids after the vessel management tender for the SA Agulhas II and Algoa was reissued in April this year to exclude the mandatory requirement that bidders be members of the South African Association of Ship Owners and Agents (SAASOA).

SOUTH AFRICA: A Stellenbosch University student is amongst 32 new recipients of research grants awarded by the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) through their Ocean Stewardship Fund (OSF).

SOUTH AFRICA: The Competition Commission has recommended that the Tribunal approve the proposed transaction between DP World Logistics and Cargo Services Seafreight in South Africa as it is unlikely to prevent competition in the market or raise any public interest issues.