In March this year, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) launched its Maritime Industry Business-to-Business (B2B) Engagement Sessions designed to bridge the gap between SAMSA and Stakeholders within the sector.

When we launched the sessions, we promised to return in 6 months to give an update on the changes since the inaugural sessions. We have kept that promise by once again inviting our stakeholders to collaborative sessions with the SAMSA CEO, Captain Dennis Mqadi and members of the EXCO.

We commenced the sessions this morning in Richards Bay and will proceed to other port regions throughout the country to ensure that no one is left behind.

SAMSA believes that strengthening partnerships is key to navigating the future and we invite you on this journey with us as we rise to meet the demands of rapidly transforming maritime sector.

We look forward to building strategic partnerships to support the maritime sector as it evolves and grows.

On 07 October 2026, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) reached a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey with the official launch of its Online Services Platform, an innovation set to enhance service delivery, improve accessibility and provide a more seamless experience for maritime stakeholders across South Africa.

The platform was officially launched in Cape Town by Captain Dennis Mqadi, Chief Executive Officer of SAMSA, who has consistently championed the modernisation and digitalisation of maritime regulatory services as a strategic priority for the Authority.

The SAMSA Online Services, a single digital gateway to the growing suite of SAMSA services represents a major step towards SAMSA’s vision of becoming a fully digital organisation capable of providing efficient, transparent and customer-centric services to seafarers, vessel owners, maritime institutions and other maritime stakeholders.

A key indicator of the value and relevance of SAMSA’s digital transformation programme has been the positive response from industry stakeholders.

The SAMSA Online Services Platform has been operational since July 2026 with two active modules, namely the Seafarer Services Portal and the Vessel Management System that have already recorded encouraging levels of user adoption and engagement.

SAMSA Online Services is accessible via https://applications.samsa.org.za/ as well as via the SAMSA website through the services tab.

The Authority encourages all maritime stakeholders to register on the platform and make use of the growing range of digital services available. Queries related to the system may also be handled digitally using the following link housed on the SAMSA website https://www.samsa.org.za/contact-us?section=query-form

This groundbreaking initiative is an enabler for a smarter, faster and more responsive maritime administration that supports the growth and competitiveness of South Africa’s maritime sector and our journey towards our goal of being a world-class safety and regulatory authority, championing South Africa’s global, regional and domestic maritime interests.

01 October 2026

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has initiated a preliminary enquiry following the fatal incident involving the tug Umkhuseli, which occurred approximately 47 nautical miles south of Mossel Bay in the morning of 30 September 2026.

The enquiry follows the actived Search and Rescue (SAR) operation coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) Cape Town. After an extensive search involving both air and surface rescue assets, three bodies were recovered, while two persons remain missing.

Preliminary information indicates that the incident began when a crew member reportedly fell overboard while working on deck. In response, a Fast Rescue Boat (FRB) carrying four crew members was launched from the vessel to recover the individual. The FRB subsequently capsized, resulting in a total of five persons entering the water.

Immediately following notification of the incident, MRCC Cape Town activated a coordinated SAR response, mobilising a range of maritime and aviation assets. Vessels in the vicinity were diverted to assist with the search, while rescue efforts were supported by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and the South African Police Services (SAPS) water wings and helicopter resources.

Following a comprehensive assessment of the search and rescue operation and consideration of all available information the active search and rescue was concluded.

SAMSA also extends its appreciation to all organisations and personnel who participated in the search and rescue operation, including the crews of the assisting vessels, aviation crews, rescue personnel, and the staff of MRCC Cape Town.

Further updates will be provided as and when information becomes available.

ENDS

Issued by:
South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

Media Enquiries:
Corporate Affairs and Media Relations
South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)
Email: mediaenquiries@samsa.org.za

The Vaal River came alive on 24 September 2026 as boating enthusiasts descended on Vanderbijlpark for the start of the Vaal River Boating Season.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority’s (SAMSA) Boating Unit, together with the Pretoria Operations, Certification Unit, and Corporate Affairs Centre were right there among them, conducting a safety awareness campaign and ad-hoc safety inspection amid dozens of boats out on the water.

With boats of every shape and size taking to the Vaal for the seasonal opening, the team seized the opportunity to engage directly with skippers, boat owners, and general members of the public, checking safety compliance and reminding the boating community that a great day on the water starts with the right precautions.

SAMSA’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), Mr Ndzimeni Ramugondo, joined the SAMSA team on the ground, trading the boardroom for the boat ramp for the day to get firsthand experience of a ride aboard a South African Police Service (SAPS) Water Wing vessel to observe safety checks around the river.

Ad-hoc safety inspections were carried out in collaboration with the SAPS Water Wing from Vanderbijlpark, whose presence on the water added an extra layer of oversight and reinforced the message that boating safety is a shared responsibility between SAMSA and law enforcement.

Together, the teams patrolled the river, engaging boaters and keeping a watchful eye over the day’s festivities. Running through the day’s safety awareness campaign was a theme to keep in mind for every skipper on South African waters: “Don’t Drink and Skipper (Drive) a Boat.”

With SAMSA and SAPS Water Wing out on the water together, the Vaal River Boating Season kicked off on a note of shared responsibility as SAMSA moves full speed with its safety awareness campaign aimed at South Africa’s inland waters.

Celebrating Our Living Heritage: Strengthening the Ties That Bind Us – the theme that encompasses this year’s Heritage Day.

Today, South Africa pauses to celebrate something truly special, the extraordinary tapestry of cultures, languages and traditions that make up our nation, known as Heritage Day.

The SAMSA colleagues did just that and came together to celebrate their uniqueness in their beautiful, colourful and gorgeous traditional outfits.

Just like most organisations, the South African Matitime Safety Authority (SAMSA) consists of people from different corners of the country and different walks of life, all working side by side toward one shared maritime mandate. In many ways, that’s the heart of Heritage Day, not uniformity, but unity built from diversity.

We take this moment to wish you all a memorable Heritage Day – whether you’re firing up the braai, dressed up in your traditional attire, visiting a heritage site, or simply spending quality time with your loved ones.

Happy Heritage Day!

The OHS & Maritime Welfare Unit of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) recently visited the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) to discuss issues related to seafarer welfare.

The visit forms part of SAMSA’s continued efforts to form stronger ties with maritime and transport organisations to enhance collaboration and enable us to serve the maritime community better.

The visit focused on issues affecting both the welfare of South African cadets as well as that of South African seafarers. The discussions included the latest developments around the world and on emerging issues affecting seafarers.

The two entities delved into the 2025 amendments of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and its implications.

SAMSA will continue to interact with related organisations on issues affecting seafarer welfare, as well as collaborate on initiatives focused on seafarer welfare.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) held its Annual General Metting (AGM) on Friday 18 September 2026 at its Pretoria Head Office.

The meeting was a culmination of the work that the authority has been doing to stabilise its operational and financial capabilities to steer a clear path in line with the SAMSA vision “To be a world-class safety and regulatory authority, championing South Africa’s global, regional and domestic maritime interests.”

SAMSA, under the leadership of Captain Dennis Mqadi with the support of the board, has achieved an 81% execution rate on its annual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the 2025/26 financial year – a clear indicator of the steady progress toward operational excellence and a more capable, responsive entity.

It is important to acknowledge that the steady progress of the organisation is because of all the SAMSA employees who give their time and dedication to ensuring that SAMSA delivers on its mandate.

Following the introduction of the SAMSA Online Services earlier this year, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is pleased to announce that the Vessel Management System is now Live!

This development is a continuation of the SAMSA Digital Transformation Strategy that aims to deliver efficient, effective and secure digital services to better the service delivery to our users.

The following services will be available through the system:
– User Registration
– Vessel Registration
– Vessel Licensing
– Vessel Surveys

The Vessel Management System is a part of the SAMSA Online Services and has been integrated into the SAMSA website for ease of access, and can be found on the SAMSA website by clicking on the Services Tab on the menu bar, and then clicking on Online Services.

The direct link to the system is as follows https://lnkd.in/gUEXBJWS

System related queries may be directed through our virtual form accessible through the following link https://lnkd.in/gdWbdaPj

This development is a testament of SAMSA’s promise of enhancing service delivery and overall stakeholder satisfaction.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is proud to have participated in the South African Marine Spatial Planning National Working Group (SA MSP NWG) Capacity Development Workshop.

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is a long-term and strategic decision-making process that guides where and when human activities occur in the ocean. Making sure the right activity takes place in the right areas and helps facilitate the development of a sustainable blue economy – benefitting South Africans and the environment alike.

The workshop was held in Namibia on 17 –21 August 2026. The workshop focused on strengthening cross-sectoral collaboration and communication among NWG members to support integrated MSP implementation. It also looked at equipping NWG members with practical skills to effectively support and participate in the internal technical negotiations required for developing South Africa’s first Marine Area Plan.

The team engaged in overlay analysis, identifying hotspots and overlaps, sector-led compatibility assessments, scenario development, stakeholder engagement, and strengthening the South Africa’s MSP roadmap.

SAMSA was represented by Capt. Ravi Naicker, Senior Manager: Navigation, Security & Environment

As we reflect back on women’s month, we are reminded of the ongoing work in the maritime sector to ensure that women are given equal opportunities and that their human rights are protected.

On 31 August 2026, the last day of women’s month, the South African Maritime Safety Authority’s (SAMSA) Occupational Health & Safety and Maritime Welfare Unit made an ad-hoc visit to the vessel MV Goodwind in Cape Town as part of the awareness campaign under the GBV at Sea programme.

The visit was intended to drive the clear message that we must keep in mind the challenges that female seafarers continue to face at sea. This ad-hoc visit was well received by the ship officers and the crew.

The 2026 BIMCO and ICS Seafarer Workforce Report estimates active global seafarer numbers to be at 2.57 million with the number of female seafarers continuing to remain at just over 1% of the total seafarer workforce.

According to various reports, female seafarers continue to face various barriers to entry and encounter challenges in progressing in their careers. Female seafarers additionally face challenges such as discrimination based on gender, bullying, non-accommodative working environments, sexual harassment and sexual assault, blacklisting for those who dare to speak, shipowners not willing to provide cadetship berths to female seafarers or the denial to employ female seafarers at all.

These challenges are not only barriers to entry but affect the sustainability of gender programmes as many female seafarers feel discouraged and end up leaving their seafaring careers prematurely.

Between 2021 – 2025, about 29% of seafarers who enrolled in the country’s National Cadetship Programme were female. This is an encouraging figure that creates a challenge for SAMSA and other role players to continue with the efforts to curb these barriers.

South Africa, alongside international counterparts proposed extensive amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2026 (MLC 2006) to ensure that the subject of violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault is mainstreamed and is included in the MLC 2006 as well as other texts that provide for an accommodative environment to female seafarers.

The efforts culminated in the adoption of the amendments by the ILO. https://lnkd.in/dTw5YAHV

The amendments which are expected to come into effect in December 2027 bring the following into the MLC, 2006

• For the first time in the history of maritime related conventions, the subject of sexual harassment and sexual assault is addressed.
• The amendments specify responsibilities for shipowners e.g. training, reporting, adoption and implementation of the policies on the subject.
• Flag States such as RSA are to develop regulations that seek to eliminate and prohibit violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault as well as reporting mechanism that protects victims.
• Port States such as RSA are to cooperate with other affected States during investigation of cases.
• Seafarers are to comply with policies and other measures in place to prevent and address shipboard violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault.
• Labour supplying States (including Seafarer Recruitment and Placement Services) are to put measures in place to prevent and address violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault, in recruitment and placement processes.

Women’s month allowed us to reflect deeper on the struggles that female seafarers continue to face and reminds us that we all have a responsibility to ensure that women’s rights continue to be protected.

Seafarers who have been victims of violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault are reminded to contact SAMSA’s Maritime Welfare Unit via email on welfare@samsa.org.za. The email is manned by an official qualified in the subject and who will ensure confidentiality and sensitivity.