The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Captain Dennis Mqadi as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 November, 2025.

This appointment marks the end of an extended vacancy in the position, and SAMSA is confident that Capt. Mqadi will lead the organisation with distinction and vision.

Capt. Mqadi brings a wealth of experience to SAMSA, having served in various strategic roles within the maritime industry. Most recently, he was the Port Manager at the Port of Richards Bay, where he excelled in overseeing key operational and regulatory functions. His tenure with the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) since 1997 has equipped him with extensive expertise in port management and regulatory oversight.

Throughout his career, Capt. Mqadi has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to innovation and safety in maritime operations. His notable accomplishments include managing strategic projects and enhancing operational structures at several major South African ports.

Capt. Mqadi holds a Master of Business Administration from the Milpark Business School, a Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and a National Ports Diploma from North Kent College (United Kingdom), among other qualifications.

His academic and professional background underscores his suitability in steering SAMSA towards achieving its strategic objectives.

It is with great pride and excitement that we announce the launch of the revamped, refreshed, and redefined SAMSA website, a bold step forward in our journey to becoming a Model Maritime Safety Authority.

It took months of dedication, creativity, and teamwork across all SAMSA units to create. The new website embraces the rapid evolution of technology that will allow it to be accessible, easy to use, and most of all assist our stakeholders, including seafarers, fishers and the larger maritime fraternity in getting the information they need.

This is one of the first of many visible changes we will see this year as SAMSA continues to readjust and reposition itself-not only for efficiency, but for ergonomic excellence. It is a symbol of our commitment to innovation, accessibility, and stakeholder-centric service.

Go to https://www.samsa.org.za/ and join us as we usher in the new digital face of SAMSA and steer Towards a Model Maritime Safety Authority!

Seafarers spend long stretches isolated at sea, away from loved ones. That’s why safe, welcoming shore-based seafarer facilities matter.

Recently, SAMSA visited the Richards Bay Seafarers Centre and the Durban Seafarers Mission that are spaces meant to be a home away from home for seafarers which offer much more than just rest – they provide connection, comfort, and community. These centres are equipped with chapels and prayer rooms to game rooms and spaces for outdoor activities.

These facilities serve all seafarers – regardless of nationality or religion with open hearts and open doors.

The SAMSA team who visited the Richards Bay Seafarers Centre comprised of Mr Sibusiso Rantsoabe (Manager: OHS & Maritime Welfare Manager), Ms Nonhlanhla Mjweni (Marine OHS Specialist) and Mr Thibedi Mbaya (Maritime Welfare Officer). They were welcomed at the centre by Ms Wilma Thompson and Port Chaplain Mark Classen.

Mr Rantsoabe and Mr Mbaya went on to visit the Durban Seafarers Mission and were welcomed by the Mission’s Manager Mr Brian Isaac, Resident Chaplain Wayne Meyer and Port Chaplain Dr Forbes Maupa.

Productive conversations during these visits focused on:
– Strengthening welfare offerings
– Navigating future demands
– Legislative updates & funding
– Deepening collaboration with dedicated chaplains and volunteers

SAMSA celebrates the vital role these missions play and the passionate teams behind them. We remain committed to expanding and sustaining seafarer welfare facilities across all South African ports.

#SeafarerWelfare #SAMSA #SAMSAAtWork #MaritimeSupport #SafeSpaceforSeafarers #TogetherForSeafarers The Mission to Seafarers

This year, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) decided to shake things up a bit and get SAMSA staff involved in packing meal packs for 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!

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

We are proud to have partnered with Rise Against Hunger, an NGO that specialises in food aid programs. This partnership reflects the true spirit of collective responsibility, demonstrating how strategic collaborations can lead to lasting community impact.

Make Every Day A Mandela Day!

The conference held in Pretoria takes place from Monday 7 to Wednesday 09 July 2025 at the CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.

This year’s theme “Mobility solutions to southern African challenges” will engage all stakeholders involved in the transport sector on solutions to providing optimum, effective, and efficient transport solutions to improve service delivery to better respond as a sector, to the needs of all users of our transport systems.

The Transport Minister, Honourable Barbara Creecy delivered the opening address which focussed on the Department of Transport’s agenda to transform passenger and freight transport in South Africa – with the aim of driving economic growth, creating jobs, and improving road safety.

The SAMSA board chairperson, Mr Mahesh Fakir was also present at the opening of this year’s SATC conference. SAMSA will also be chairing a dedicated maritime session on Wednesday, on 09 July 2025 focused on maritime decarbonisation, aligning with the 2023 IMO Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy and the recently approved IMO Net-Zero Framework during MEPC 83.

Please click on the following link should you wish to join us for the virtual session for the Maritime Session on Wednesday https://www.satc.online/session-3d-maritime

On 25 June 2025, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) proudly joined the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the whole maritime fraternity in celebrating the International Day of the Seafarer in Cape Town, at the Makers Landing.

This annual observance, designated by the United Nations (UN) honours the indispensable role of seafarers in sustaining global trade, security, and the movement of essential goods.

This year’s theme, “My Harassment Free Ship,” resonates deeply. It calls for urgent action to eliminate harassment and discrimination at sea, and to foster safe, respectful, and inclusive working environments for all maritime professionals.

The SAMSA event brought together seafarers, cadets, industry leaders, stakeholders, maritime institutions, high school pupils, exhibitors and government representatives in a show of solidarity and shared commitment to improving life onboard.

Through its Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) office, SAMSA continues to lead impactful initiatives – ranging from gender-based violence (GBV) awareness campaigns to training workshops and confidential reporting mechanisms – ensuring that every individual working in South African waters, including the men and women who work at the ports to repair ships and load or offload cargo from ships feels seen, heard, and protected.

The event included a panel discussion that tackled crucial issues such as mental and emotional wellness at sea, and the importance of psychological support for seafarers working in isolated and high-pressure environments.

SAMSA takes seriously the task of contributing to building a maritime sector where safety is human-centered, and leaves no place for harassment. As we navigate a future of expanding trade, technological change, and climate challenges, let us remain anchored in one unwavering principle: Respect for the Seafarer.

hashtag#DayOfTheSeafarer hashtag#DayoftheSeafarer2025 hashtag#SAMSA hashtag#SAMSAAtWork hashtag#MaritimeSafety hashtag#MyHarassmentFreeShip hashtag#HarassmentFreeShip hashtag#SeafarerWellbeing hashtag#RespectAtSea hashtag#MentalHealthAtSea hashtag#MaritimeCareers

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) hosted an event highlighting its ongoing Fishing Vessel Safety Audit campaign on Monday, 23 June 2025, at the Cape Town Waterfront Jetty, drawing strong participation from stakeholders in the commercial fishing industry, government, and the media.

The event formed part of SAMSA’s four-month national initiative, launched in March 2025, aimed at enhancing safety standards, promoting regulatory compliance, and reducing incidents across South Africa’s fishing fleet.

Delivering the keynote address, the Deputy Minister of Transport, the Honourable Mkhuleko Hlengwa commended the initiative and reaffirmed government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives of those who work at sea.

The programme included a detailed update on the audit’s progress, stakeholder discussions on safety challenges, and a live vessel inspection demonstration by SAMSA’s maritime surveyors.

SAMSA Acting CEO, Mbalenhle Golding CA(SA), also highlighted the value of industry collaboration and said “The Fishing Vessel Safety Audit is more than a compliance exercise — it’s about saving lives. The fishing sector has responded positively, and we look forward to continued engagement as we roll out the audit nationwide.”

On the 10th of June 2025 at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3), co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, South Africa took the global stage to address a critical yet often overlooked threat to marine ecosystems—Underwater Radiated Noise (URN).

Representing the nation was the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), led by Acting CEO Ms. Mbalenhle Golding, who delivered a compelling intervention during a high-level session dedicated to URN. She reaffirmed South Africa’s support for the IMO GloNoise Partnership Project and showcased the country’s proactive efforts, including expanded EIA research and efforts to invest in real-time monitoring capabilities across our coastal and marine environments.

Key Highlights from the Session:
France spotlighted URN as a global environmental priority, with President Emmanuel Macron emphasizing its urgency during his keynote address.

Belgium, Canada, and the European Union echoed calls for binding international frameworks and science-based policies to mitigate URN.

Different experts underscored that commercial shipping is the primary contributor to URN, posing serious risks to marine biodiversity—especially species like whales, dolphins, and fish.

South Africa’s Commitment:
South Africa remains resolute in its commitment to advancing ocean health, aligning with SDG 14: Life Below Water. Through multilateral cooperation, technological innovation, and inclusive policymaking, the nation continues to lead efforts in the Global South to create quieter, more resilient oceans.