This week marks the official handing over of the SA Agulhas to new owners, having served as South Africa’s dedicated training vessel for almost 12 years. Editor, Colleen Jacka, spoke to both Sobantu Tilayi of SAMSA and Captain Stefan Bülow of J*S Maritime Partners about the sale and was pleased to discover that the plans for the vessel will continue to provide and even expand the training opportunities for aspirant South African seafarers.

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) hosted a workshop aimed at equipping school teachers with the resources to improve the quality of maritime education at high school level in the country in Gqeberha last week.

SOMALIA: The Operation Commander of the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA paid a three-day visit to Somalia last week with the aim of improving maritime security in the region.

SOUTH AFRICA: International entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, businesses and leaders that are working towards creating a positive impact on our oceans will converge in Cape Town next month for the 2024 edition of Ocean Innovation Africa.

SOUTH AFRICA: The R965 million intended acquisition of Terrasan Group Limited’s subsidiaries in the catching, processing, and sale of pelagic fish, and 63.07% of their subsidiaries in the farming, processing and sale of abalone by Sea Harvest Group Limited will substantially boost the fishing company’s growth ambitions.

SOUTH AFRICA: The Coastal Waters Discharge Permits issued to fish processing facilities operating within St Helena Bay in the Western Cape are under review and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has extended the deadline for public comment to the end of February.

A new product to provide cover for vessels entering a War & Piracy ‘breach’ area, such as the Gulf of Aden or the Gulf of Guinea, where there is a heightened risk of vessels being seized was launched today by West P&I Club.

SOUTH AFRICA: Sobantu Tilayi, COO of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) admits that the sudden closure of the offshore bunkering operations in Algoa Bay could have been avoided if the relevant government departments had worked more closely with one another.