The international convention governing liability and compensation for damage caused by hazardous and noxious substances (HNS) carried by sea is edging towards entry into force after a milestone reached at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London this month means the world's shipping nations may finally be on a fixed timeline to implementing one of the most significant gaps in the global maritime compensation framework.

NAMIBIA: Canadian oil and gas company Sintana Energy has announced its intention to list on the Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX), a move that would accelerate direct investment opportunities in Namibia's offshore energy resources for ordinary Namibians.

GHANA: The French Falcon 50 maritime surveillance aircraft in Ghana has marked a significant operational milestone for fisheries governance in West Africa and broader efforts to secure the Gulf of Guinea, underscoring the growing importance of coordinated, technology-driven approaches to fisheries governance in the FCWC region.

REPUBLIC OF CONGO: TotalEnergies EP Congo (63.5%, operator) has confirmed that the drilling drilling of the MHNM-6 NFW exploration well has resulted in a a hydrocarbon discovery on the Moho license.

NAMIBIA: BP has agreed to acquire a 60% interest in three offshore exploration blocks in Namibia from Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas as part of bp’s strategy to grow its upstream portfolio.

SOUTH AFRICA: Nine suspects have been arrested for allegedly attempting to illegally harvest marine resources within the Robben Island Marine Protected Area in two separate incidents during the last week.

SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority is seeking approval to reclaim 22.4 hectares of land within the Port of Durban between the existing Point multi-purpose terminal quay wall and a proposed new Point Container Terminal quay wall.

NIGERIA: The Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC) has demonstrated its effectiveness as a neutral dispute resolution body, recently mediating two high-stakes maritime disputes in contested storage charges. In both cases, structured mediation delivered substantial financial concessions for the aggrieved parties and averted what could have become protracted commercial stand-offs.