South Africa maritime sector decarbonisation roadmap on GHG Emissions Reduction is on the roll. SAMSA

Pretoria: 15 February 2024

Development of South Africa Maritime Sector Decarbonisation Roadmap is now well on track following to an inaugural roundtable meeting of the sectors’ key role players, led by the Department of Transport (DoT) and the South African Maritime Authority (SAMSA); in Newlands, Cape Town, a week ago.

According to SAMSA, the Ministerial roundtable on development of a Maritime Sector Decarbonisation Roadmap is South Africa’s latest tacit response and contribution towards pursuit for fulfilment of its commitment to implementation of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2023 Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.

The revised IMO GHG Strategy, according to SAMSA, includes an enhanced common ambition to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around 2050, a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030, as well as indicative checkpoints for 2030 and 2040.

Among other factors, ‘indicative checkpoints’ to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping include strife for reduction of total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 20%, striving for 30%, by 2030, compared to 2008; and reduction of total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 70%, striving for 80%, by 2040, compared to 2008.

South Africa as a member of the IMO, said SAMSA, has a responsibility to progress the decisions of the organisation, with SAMSA expected to lead the implementation of such decisions, in line with objective 3 of the SAMSA Act.

There had now developed concerns, however, that “with the adoption of the revised 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, South Africa is still to develop its own roadmap on achieving the vision and targets aimed at decarbonising shipping.

“To advance the objectives of the GHG strategy and implementation of the developed IMO regulations aimed at decarbonising shipping, South Africa is still to finalise the legislative instrument to give effect to Annexure VI (Energy Efficiency of Ships) of the MARPOL Convention.”

Thus, according to SAMSA, the roundtable discussion on Friday last week was aimed at initiating a crafting phase of South Africa’s maritime approach and alignment to climate change programmes for purposes of GHG emissions reduction as contained in the IMO strategy.

Precisely, said SAMSA, the focus was on various issues, inclusive of an assessment of the country’s strategic approach to the subject relative to its geographic location, the country’s potential to produce clean fuels based on its renewable energy resources, the identification of possible green corridors, possible best approaches to leveraging economic opportunities such as clean fuels bunkering – over and above reduction of domestic emissions – and the potential impact of the entire exercise on the country’s economy inclusive of trade.

At last week’s roundtable meeting, in response to the Minister of Transport, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga’s call for action, in addition to SAMSA senior management as well as the entity’s Board chairperson, Mr Mahesh Fakir, participation included representatives of the IMO (World Maritime University), South Africa ship owners and operators, the country’s ports authority (Transnet National Ports Authority), mining, environmental, energy, education and training, and related industry associated experts.

Also attending was about a dozen of about 30 officials from various South African public institutions and private maritime sector companies who’d earlier in the week, spent four (4) days in Cape Town on an executive professional development training course on Maritime Energy Management and Decarbonisation conducted by the World Maritime University.

The lineup of speakers and contributors to the discussion, included DoT Deputy Director, Maritime Branch; Mr Mthunzi Madiya (officially representing the Minister of Transport), SAMSA Board Chairperson Mr Mahesh Fakir, SAMSA Acting CEO and COO, Mr Tau Morwe and Mr Sobantu Tilayi, respectively; Mr Mkhuthazi Teleki (Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment), Mr Tauqeer Ahmed (TNPA), Mr Andrew Millard (Vuka Marine), Mr Dan Ngakane (African Marine Solutions), Mr Sanda Zungu (Phalaborwa Mining Company), Dr Ita Mabaso (PetroSA), and Mr Johannes Bochdalofsky, co-founder and CEO of SeaH4.

At the conclusion of the discussion, SAMSA Chief Operations Officer, Mr Sobantu Tilayi summed up the day as having been ‘most productive, with great progress.” For his full remarks, click on the video below.

_{SAMSA Chief Operations Officer, Mr Sobantu Tilayi on the outcomes of the Ministerial maritime sector decarbonisation roadmap development roundtable held in Cape Town}

For SAMSA ACEO, Mr Tau Morwe’s introductory remarks, click on the video below.

For the Minister, Ms Chikunga’s key opening address (presented by Mr Madiya), click on the video below.

For SAMSA Board chairperson, Mr Mahesh Fakir’s concluding remarks.

Additionally, for further insights into the four (4) day workshop held earlier in the week preceding the roundtable discussions, conducted by the World Maritime University, this blog chatted briefly, separately, with both SAMSA’s Acting Chief Human Capital Officer, Mr Tebogo Mojafi, and one of the course conductors, Professor Dr. Aykut I. Ölçer.

For their respective remarks, click on the videos below.

End.

Former SAMSA executive honoured posthumously on SA polar resrearch vessel, SA Agulhas

Pretoria: 01 February 2024

The high significance of the work and contribution of SAMSA employees to pursuit and fulfilment of the entity’s legislated mandate has again gained global recognition following to the special dedication of the now German owned SA Agulhas, to the memory of Mr Ian Calvert, who passed away a year ago last month.

The special dedication and tribute to Mr Calvert, in the form of his name being emblazoned high and prominently on the hull of the vessel, was unveiled during the formal handover of the polar research and cadet training vessel by SAMSA to its new owners, J*S Maritime in Cape Town on Tuesday a week ago.

Among high level guests attending the function for the occasion were Mr Calvert’s two children; son, Mr Ian Calvert (Jnr) and daughter, Ms Sharne Jacobus.

At Quay 500, at the port of Cape Town on Tuesday last week, the new owners of the SA Agulhas, J*S Maritime; formally announced the maritime firm’s special dedication of the vessel to Mr Calvert.

This was in recognition of his work record at SAMSA regarding especially both the upkeep of the former training vessel over the years while with SAMSA, as well his specific role and contribution to the new business relationship established between the firm and SAMSA – and by extension, the broad South African maritime sector.

The occasion, honoured by Minister of Transport, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga as the main guest speaker, as well as members of the SAMSA Board and top executives, among others; was marked with a short video clip in tribute to Mr Calvert’s memory.

Remarking on the sidelines of the SA Agulhas handover event about the kind gesture, Mr Calvert’s two children, Sharne and Ian, expressed an unreserved family gratitude that their father’s work career contribution was receiving such a high and publicly visible acknowledgment, in South Africa and abroad.

An emotionally charged Charne, said: “The dedication of this vessel to him today means a lot to the family, in keeping his memory and legacy alive….”, with Ian adding: “…I know he dedicated his entire life to the maritime industry and South Africa, in general…[and[ having his name on the side of a vessel, especially a ship as important as the SA Agulhas is very powerful and wonderful.”

SAMSA Chief Operations Officer, Mr Sobantu Tilayi also described it as a highly significant event, wherein, he said; global recognition of the work of a former SAMSA employee was receiving a deserved public acknowledgement.

Mr Tilayi said Mr Calvert had been very pivotal in the development of MSP, and the positioning of SAMSA as also a vessel operator of a government fleet (owned by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment) and the SA Agulhas – a then dedicated national cadet training vessel.

Similarly, he said, Mr Calvert also contributed immensely to the structuring of the deal involving the disposal of the SA Agulhas in 2023 that culminated in its transfer and handover to its new owners this week. For both Mr Tilayi and Mr Calvert’s children’s remarks, click on the video above.

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Update on the Status of the Issuance of Permissions in Algoa Bay

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is pleased to issue an update on the Status of the issuance of Permissions in Algoa Bay.

Following a SAMSA Board decision in line with its legislated mandate the Authority undertakes to process applications in terms of section 21(1)(b) of Marine Pollution (Control and Civil Liability) Act, 1981 (Act No 6 of 1981) (hereinafter `the Act) pertaining to offshore operations in Algoa Bay, without delay.

SAMSA will shortly issue a Marine Notice to all stakeholders, which will detail the revised procedures and requirements for obtaining permissions for offshore operations in Algoa Bay. The Marine notice will provide ultimate clarity in the application process and assist with compliance with Ship to Ship (STS) transfers and bunkering codes.

Our Stakeholders, including customers, will be kept informed of any further developments and will be given all the necessary information required for the application process.

We value the role our customers and other stakeholders in the maritime industry play and look forward to their sustained cooperation as we ensure to promote a safe and sustainable operations in Algoa Bay.

Should any of our stakeholders still require any additional information or clarification or experiencing any challenges in the processing of the application, do not hesitate to contact me on tmorwe@samsa.org.za and will certainly assign the necessary officials to assist in the process.