The Acting CEO of SAMSA, Ms Mbalenhle Golding, proudly represented South Africa at the prestigious Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2025, joining a high-level panel discussion titled “Revolutionising with Green Reefers: Scaling Low-Emissions Reefer Solutions.”
The SAMSA delegation to Humburg Sustainability Conference included:
– Mr Malibongwe Ndlozi, Senior Manager in the Office of the CEO (Acting) and Project Manager for Maritime Decarbonisation
– Mr Skhumbuzo Bhengu, Senior Manager for Maritime Research (Acting), who leads SAMSA’s research and innovation efforts in Maritime Decarbonisation
Representing Africa’s voice in global maritime discourse, the Acting CEO highlighted South Africa’s strategic role in global trade, commitment to a rules-based international order, and the critical importance of training and re-skilling to ensure a just, inclusive, and future-ready transition.
The panel explored alternatives to traditional refrigeration systems, with a strong focus on natural refrigerants like R290 (propane)—praised for their energy efficiency and ultra-low global warming potential (GWP).
While concerns around flammability and safety standards were acknowledged, the discussion reached consensus on key priorities:
– Begin the transition with new container builds
– Establish robust and adaptive regulatory frameworks
– Promote harmonised international safety standards
– Unlock accessible and affordable financing, especially for countries in the Global South
A promising partnership is already underway between South Africa and GIZ, with the first greener reefer prototype set to undergo lab and sea trials before the end of the year.
As South Africa’s maritime regulator, SAMSA reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for green skills development, focused on equipping seafarers, container handlers, technicians, and maritime regulators across Africa with the tools and knowledge to lead the next wave of sustainable shipping innovation.
The future of maritime cooling is low-carbon, climate-resilient, and inclusive and SAMSA is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation.