MAURITIUS: Willy van Niekerk has been appointed as the new general manager of Taylor Smith Shipyard (TSS) – the oldest ship repair facility in the country.

The deteriorating situation currently unfolding in the Red Sea could see more ship traffic opting to forgo the Suez Canal and diverting around Africa to ensure the safety of their vessels and crew.

SOUTH AFRICA: Maritime Review Africa has five strategic conversations planned for their Maritime Industry Dialogue sessions scheduled from February to April that aim to address a number of key historic issues that continue to impact the various maritime sectors.

NIGERIA: Despite announced plans to re-establish the liquidated Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL), issues relating to resolving the settlement of benefits to the affected seafarers.

Following discussions around the future of fossil fuels at the Conference of Parties (COP28), the African Energy Chamber (AEC) has strongly urged African countries to reject any and all anti-fossil fuel policies advocated by developed nations that are committed to phasing out fossil fuels, pushing for an anti-fossil fuel energy transition that does not take into account the needs of the developing world.

NIGERIA: Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO) delivered one million barrels of Agbami crude grade to Dangote Refinery’s Single Point Mooring (SPM) where it was discharged into the refinery’s crude oil tanks last week.

SOUTH AFRICA: With the expected delivery of three second-hand tugs in the first quarter of next year; a 24-hour helicopter service and a commitment to ensure the availability of six operational tugs in the Port of Durban, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is focussing on their fleet to ensure the successful implementation of the current container recovery plan that is in place across the country’s eight ports.

SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is planning to appoint a panel of terminal operators that will be able to step in as an option of last resort to bridge operational gaps at the end of terminal operating contracts that have not been re-awarded.