This year’s activation includes employee volunteerism where SAMSA employees will be actively packing meal packs to support vulnerable communities in need in line with the theme “It is in your hands”, which reminds us that combating poverty and inequity is everyone’s responsibility!

This is also an extension of the nearly revised SAMSA Values that are at the heart of the entity, supported by our CSI slogan “Caring for our Communities”.

The energy filled SAMSA employee activation demonstrates how our employees, who are the heart of the entity, contribute to meaningful social change.

Mandela Month is a call to action for individuals, communities and organisations to reflect on Mandela’s values and principles, and to take meaningful steps to make a positive impact in their own communities.

The call to action is as broad and as inclusive as possible, it seeks to inspire us to identify people in need around us, do what we can to make a difference with them and for them.

Employees from various SAMSA offices gathered to pack meal packs to support identified vulnerable communities in need in the efforts to help combat poverty and inequity!

The energy filled SAMSA employee activation demonstrated how our employees, who are the heart of the entity, contribute to meaningful social change.

In total, 24 343 meal packs were packed by the SAMSA family and will be distributed to identified communities to bring much needed relief to them.

The ongoing partnership with Rise Against Hunger, an NGO that specialises in meal aid programs reflects the true spirit of collective responsibility, demonstrating how strategic collaborations can lead to lasting community impact.

From City to Coast, we stepped up and showed up and actively contributed to ensuring that Mandela Month counts! We are proud of the SAMSA family for their dedication to uplifting communities and addressing food insecurity in vulnerable communities. SAMSA Cares!

hashtag#ItIsInYourHands hashtag#NelsonMandelaDay hashtag#MandelaDay hashtag#MandelaDay2026 hashtag#MandelaEffect hashtag#SAMSACares hashtag#SAMSACSI hashtag#CaringforOurCommunities hashtag#SAMSACaresforCommunities

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is pleased to introduce the SAMSA Online Services, our new service-centred system that digitalises and simplifies services for SAMSA stakeholders!

This is the 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 system will be rolled out in phases starting with the Seafarer Services module, with other additions that will be introduced later in the year.

The first phase of the Seafarer Services system will consist of online applications for level 3 assessment (L3A, or, Orals) for the 5 certificates listed below:
  Officer in charge of a navigational watch – STCW Reg II/1
  Chief Mate (<3000GT) – STCW Reg II/2
  Master (<3000GT) – STCW Reg II/2
  Chief Mate – STCW Reg II/2
  Master – STCW Reg II/2

The Seafarer Services system will allow seafarers to apply for the above-mentioned certificates digitally, by use of a user-friendly interface, that will grant users transparency through real-time application status updates.

The new system is intended to address the administrative burden on the SAMSA employees and improve service delivery turnaround.

The next phase of the project will include adding the outstanding 30 certificates which are subject to the L3A process. This phase will be followed by adding the certificates of proficiency, radio, revalidations and certificate of equivalence towards the end of the year. Other seafarer documents, such as seafarer record books, will be added to the portal as well.

The Online Services 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://applications.samsa.org.za

A User guide has been uploaded to assist seafarers in navigating the system and can be found on the login screen. A query form is also available on the website for all support-related requests  and can be found here https://www.samsa.org.za/contact-us?section=query-form  

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

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has the following Executive Vacancy available at the Pretoria Head Office.

Chief Financial Officer – E2 (Pretoria)

https://bit.ly/4vVtEsT

Please click on the link above for more information and to apply for the position listed

Applications close on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.

Please note that only online applications will be considered.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is honoured to be participating at the 137th Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council in London.

The week-long session began on Monday, 06 July and will conclude on 10 July 2026. The South African delegation is being led by the Deputy Minister of Transport, Hon. Mkhuleko Hlengwa.

The Council is expected to consider several strategic and governance-related matters, which include the implementation of the IMO Strategic Plan.

As an elected Council Member, South Africa is required to participate actively in the Council’s strategic and decision-making processes, which influence the future of international shipping, global trade facilitation, maritime safety standards, environmental stewardship, and the regulatory framework governing the global maritime sector.

The IMO Council is the executive organ of the IMO and is responsible for supervising the work of the Organisation between Assembly sessions. South Africa’s participation in the Council session underscores the country’s commitment to advancing a safe, secure, sustainable and efficient maritime sector.

The two-day Stakeholder Engagement Consultation for the Maritime Decarbonisation National Action Plan was successfully concluded after rigorous panel discussions.

The workshop, held in Cape Town, brought together representatives from government, industry, academia, development partners and civil society to contribute towards a shared vision for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector while strengthening South Africa’s economic competitiveness and sustainability.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) participated alongside Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and other key stakeholders in discussions aimed at shaping the future of greener shipping and port operations.

The consultation provided an opportunity to present progress made in developing the National Action Plan while gathering stakeholder input on the policy, regulatory, technical, operational and financial interventions required to support maritime decarbonisation. Participants also explored opportunities and challenges surrounding alternative marine fuels, green shipping corridors, port decarbonisation initiatives and the infrastructure needed to support the transition.

The outcomes of the stakeholder consultation will help inform the final National Action Plan, providing a practical framework to guide the country’s maritime decarbonisation efforts and strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of South Africa’s maritime sector.

South Africa’s commemoration event, held in Richards Bay under the direction of the Department of Transport and with the support of maritime and transport entities is a testament to the country’s appreciation of seafarers.

With more than 80% of world trade being transported by sea, shipping becomes essential to economies and supply chains, making seafarers the backbone of global trade.

This year’s theme “Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks” places seafarers at the centre of the global conversation by acknowledging the harsh realities they face at sea and even more so, their vital contribution that keeps global trade moving.

Today, we put the spotlight on these very vital but often unseen human beings who work at sea, away form their homes, in harsh weather, piracy threats, geopolitical tensions, and safety risks to ensure that food, fuel, medicine, machinery, and other essential goods reach ports and communities around the world.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SASMA) recently joined local government officials, community members and environmental champions as they came together to commemorate World Environment Day.

The event was hosted by the Alexandra Water Warriors (AWW), with the support of a diverse range of stakeholders, including SAMSA, Joburg City Parks, the Joburg Zoo, all united by a shared commitment to environmental sustainability and community development.

World Environment Day is celebrated annually on 5 June, and its intention is to encourage awareness and environmental protection. The 2026 theme emphasises how climate action is more than just decreasing carbon emissions; it is also about rethinking the systems that power our economies and restoring our relationship with the environment.

The session also focussed on the need to live sustainably and in harmony with nature. Attendees were introduced to the possibilities of shifting to a greener lifestyle through both policies and individual choices.

This was the perfect opportunity for SAMSA to use the occasion not only to raise awareness about environmental stewardship, but to also inspire young people to explore the exciting possibilities that exist within South Africa’s maritime sector.

SAMSA’s attendance focussed on:
• Promoting awareness on safety regarding inland waterways and the responsible use of water bodies within communities
• Educating learners and community members on marine environmental protection and sustainability
• Advancing the public awareness to the role that SAMSA’s plays in environmental stewardship and maritime governance
• Strengthening stakeholder relations and visibility within local government and community structures
• Introducing young learners to maritime careers and ocean economy opportunities

As part of its participation, SAMSA hosted an exhibition stand where staff engaged directly with members of the Alexandra community. Through these interactions, the Authority provided insight into its role within South Africa’s maritime landscape, explaining how it contributes to the protection of the environment through initiatives aimed at preventing pollution from ships and promoting safe and sustainable maritime practices.

SAMSA looks forward to more opportunities where we can engage communities and create awareness about environmental responsibility, especially concerning the marine environment and inland waterways.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) recently visited the Department of Marine Engineering at the Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha.

SAMSA CEO, Captain Dennis Mqadi, and members of the EXCO met with Dr Howard Theunissen, Head of Department, for marine engineering as well as other members from the faculty.

SAMSA, looks forward to having such meaningful conversations, collaborating and building strategic partnerships that will help support the maritime sector as it evolves and grows.

This is a continuation of our ongoing stakeholder engagement programme.

As part of our ongoing stakeholder engagement programme, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) met with key environmental organisations in Gqeberha on Monday, 08 June 2026.

The session was led by the SAMSA CEO, Captain Dennis Mqadi with the support of the members of the EXCO and senior SAMSA officials.

The engagement brought together valued partners including the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB), BirdLife South Africa, and Nelson Mandela University (NMU), creating an important platform to collaborate on safeguarding South Africa’s coastal and marine ecosystems.

SAMSA appreciates the continued partnership and looks forward to strengthening these relationships as we collectively advance our environmental stewardship.

World Oceans Day on 8 June encourages organisations across the globe to come together to protect one of the world’s most important resources – the blue planet.

This year’s theme, Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet, aims to guide global action in protecting the ocean. The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) takes protecting the ocean seriously considering its importance in supporting shipping and maritime trade.

South Africa is proudly one of the countries that recently ratified the High Seas Treaty that officially entered into force in January 2026. This important treaty, formally known as the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), is a landmark global accord to protect marine life in the high seas and the deep seabed (the areas of the ocean that lie beyond any country’s national jurisdiction).

It is important to note that ocean waters regulate the climate, support extraordinary biodiversity, sustain livelihoods, and hold untapped scientific and medical potential. Creating strongly regulated Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is essential to turning global commitments into real actionable outcomes.

As a member state of the International Maritime Organization, we heed the call to continuously implement the measures and regulations necessary to protect the marine environment from the effects of shipping, including pollution from oil and other waste from ships as well as underwater radiated noise.

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