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.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has confirmed that an oil contingency plan has been activated after the MV Ultra Galaxy began to break apart.

SOUTH AFRICA: Although weather conditions have delayed the placement of a specialised monitoring system on the grounded MV Ultra Galaxy, once positioned, it will help salvors determine the structural integrity of the wreck as well as the most viable salvage solutions.

Participants from four African countries are benefiting from a capacity development programme aimed at strengthening small-scale aquaculture in the southeastern Mediterranean.