Sea future safety vested on youth; South Africa’s focus on World Maritime Day 2024

Durban: 01 October 2024

In marking World Maritime Day 2024, under the theme: ‘Navigating the Future: Safety First’, South Africa – with an event held in Durban a week ago – literally took the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) chosen subject for this year by the scruff of the neck, by devoting the entire event to school children’s maritime awareness elevation and exposure to careers in the sector.

No less than 500 pupils from as many as 10 high schools in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces filled the popular Transnet N-Shed adjacent the port of Durban’s Cruise Passenger Terminal on Thursday last week, for this year’s WMD domestic celebration.

The hosts were the provincial Department of Transport and Human Settlements, under the leadership of MEC, Mr Siboniso Duma, and the Ethekwini Maritime Clusture jointly with the Transnet National Port Authority (TNPA) and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

Mr Duma, flanked by the Mayor of Durban, Mr Cyril Xaba, was joined also by officials of the Port of Natal Maritime Museum, Life Saving SA, as well as education and training institutions and private sector companies’ representatives as exhibitors.

These included Amsol, the Durban University of Technology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Moses Kotane Institute, national Department of Transport, Ethekwini Biodiversity, Lifesavers Association, Ethekwini Natural Resource Development, Go Digital South Africa, Sharks Board, and others.

The invitation and hosting of school children during celebration of the WMD in South Africa, or any other of the IMO’s global calendar events – including Day of the Seafarers, held annually also on June 25 – is not uncommon nor their participation often limited.

However, for this year’s WMD celebration in Durban, their presence and being the central focal point of the event was as readily noticeable as it tied neatly with the year’s IMO chosen theme.

*_{Mr Nkumbuzo Ben-Mazwi, Acting Port Manager; Port of Durban}*

According to TNPA’s port of Durban Acting Port Manager, Mr Nkumbuzo Ben-Mazwi: “This year’s theme says ‘Navigating the Future; Safety First‘ and so it is that by focusing on school children we are navigating the future through the young people in order to ensure that when we are no longer here, they will be able to run these ports even better than we have done.”

Towards this end, the event approach was to devote it wholesome to raising awareness of as many youths as possible on the day about the country and world’s maritime sector, inclusive of their exposure to the numerous career opportunities therein. That way, said Mr Ben-Mazwi, South Africa would secure the future safety and sustainability of the country maritime sector, and by extension the safety of the sea.

For his full remarks, click on the video below.

Meanwhile, during a chance, albeit, brief interview with Dr Dusty-Lee Donnelly, Director of Law and Maritime Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, this blog established that the university – one of a handful of this country’s institutions of higher learning with dedicated faculties on maritime studies – was already at an advanced stage of further engaging more youth in maritime education and training through deliberate linkages sought to be established with the country’s +50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

*_{Dr Dusty-Lee Donnelly, Director of Law and Maritime Studies, KwaZulu-Natal University}*

“We want to put South Africa on the world map in all aspects of the maritime sphere….” quipped Dr Donnelly, revealing that beginning next year (2025) the university will be spreading its offerings.

This would involve among other initiatives; the launch of a specialised post-graduate certificate of education (PGCE) course, as well as an advanced diploma programme for TVET colleges lectures keen on acquiring or increasing their knowledge and practice to various branches of maritime studies.

The initiative, she said, was being pursued in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela University based South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) and the Durban Maritime Cluster – a key local business grouping with interest in maritime sector activities in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

For her full remarks on this and related, click on the video below.

Also present was Department of Transport deputy director for Maritime Industry Development, Ms Lindiwe Mawowa who also weighed on the significance of the approach to the WMD 2024 celebration by South Africa, restating the singular importance of the deliberate focus on youth.

For her full views, click on the video below.

Marking WMD 2024: On stage presentations.

For the event presentations on stage, inclusive of the Opening Remarks (TNPA), Welcome Address (SAMSA) and Keynote Speech (KwaZulu-Natal provincial MEC for Transport & Human Settlements), click on the videos below.

More content to follow.

End.

Day of the Seafarer 2024: SA maritime sector pays tribute to 11 SA fishermen lost at sea in May.

Pretoria: 04 July 2024

South Africa joined the global maritime community on June 25, the Day of the Seafarer, to honour and pay tribute to seafarers, in an event hosted in three of the country’s coastal cities of Cape Town, Gqeberha and Durban.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in partnership with the Department of Transport (DoT) and Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) led the event in Durban KwaZulu-Natal, while the DoT held base in Cape Town, and the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) hosted the Gqeberha leg.

SAMSA and the maritime captains saluted the endeavours of the seafarers who risk their lives at sea for months on end, annually.

Ushered by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) with the theme: “Seafarers’ contribution to making the maritime sector a safer workplace”, key speakers at the SAMSA event included Mr Dumisani Ntuli; Chief Director: Maritime Policy and Legislation at the DoT, Mr Tau Morwe, SAMSA Acting Chief Executive Officer (ACEO), along with representatives of maritime sector companies, among them; Mediterranean Shipping Company (MCS), South African Association of Ship Operators and Agents (SASOA), and Fender Care.

_{Mr Mahesh Fakir:
SAMSA Board Chairperson}

True to the spirit of the theme of the Day, the gathering in Durban dedicated a minute of silence in remembrance of the 11 South African crewmen who tragically lost their lives after their Cape Town based fishing trawler rapidly sank in the Atlantic Ocean on 17 May 2024. The fishing trawler, FV Lepanto, according to reports at the time, had 20 crew members on board, with nine (9) having survived the ordeal after being rescued.

SAMSA’s Board Chair, Mr. Mahesh Fakir, reflected on the incident as indicative of the most challenging working environments seafarers in South Africa and global have to deal with as well as vital role they continue to play to the world economy.

He noted that an investigation was still underway on the tragic Cape Town fishing vessel incident.

*^{Mr Tau Morwe. Acting CEO. South African Maritime Safety Authority}*

Also, in his opening remarks, speaking on the theme of the day and stressing the pivotal role seafarers play in ensuring safety in the maritime sector Mr Morwe, said: “The (Day of the Seafarer 2024) theme serves as a reminder of the crucial role that seafarers play in ensuring their own safety and the safety of the vessels while navigating the unpredictable sea. The maritime industry is a challenging and demanding environment where seafarers face numerous risks.”

“It is through their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and commitment to safety to overcome challenges and ensure the smooth operation of the maritime sector. As a South African Maritime Safety Authority, we share this responsibility. We pay tribute to all the seafarers that have been injured, lost their lives at sea, or have been suffering from trauma because of their service.”

Captain Brynn Adamson, TNPA Harbour Master at the port of Port Elizabeth, also shared a message of support to the contribution of seafarers towards their safety and wellbeing.

“As TNPA, the custodian of all the ports in South Africa, we take the role of embedding safety not only in marine operations exceptionally seriously, but also, ensuring that safety is cascaded to our tenants, port users, vessel masters, terminal operators, through our licenses, lease arrangements, incident management procedures.

“As one of the largest employers of seafarers in South Africa, TNPA pledges and reaffirms to the safety and most importantly, the well-being of seafarers that visit our 8 ports and all seafarers calling our shores. We take this opportunity to recognise the contribution that all seafarers make in our daily lives.”

Lending support to the focus of sentiment on the day, on behalf of government, Mr Ntuli of the DoT highlighted the government’s efforts in creating employment opportunities for seafarers in the country, outlining the plans that are in place.

“We have advocated for a homegrown ship as well as increase flagging to assist our seafarers to access high employment opportunities. The Merchant Shipping Act which is under reconstruction in a form of a Merchant Shipping Bill will introduce coastal shipping for the country and its regions which will promote also employment, skills and development,” said Mr Ntuli.

Meanwhile, as has become standard practice by the DoT and SAMSA during celebration of the Day of the Seafarer annually, pupils in grades 10 to 12 from about 12 schools in the KwaZulu Natal province partook in the event, as were exhibitors such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), African Marine Solutions (AMSOL), Moses Kotane Institute (MKI), Durban University of Technology (DUT), Ports Regulator of South Africa (PRSA), Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), and KZN Department of Transport.

The event also encompassed a panel discussion on various subjects such as safety and wellbeing (psychological, emotional, and physical health) of seafarers as well as the advancement of technology, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) on whether it has an impact on job security of seafarers.

The panel discussion was led by Capt. Tshepo Motloutsi, a senior manager for maritime policy at SAMSA’s Centre of Policy, Legal and Regulation, in which participants include Mr Michael Manqele, lecturer at Durban University of Technology (DUT), Cap. Rodrego Thompson, a ship surveyor at SAMSA, Reverend Forbes Maupa from the Durban Seafarer Mission, Ms Tracy Myeza, Chief Engineer of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) tugs, and Ms Zama Mkhize, Tug Master at TNPA.

For more visuals of the event, a large portion of which was livestreamed, please click on the following SAMSA Facebook posts links in succession.

https://web.facebook.com/share/v/2bcCkbXfjmpnHaEv

https://web.facebook.com/share/v/aWmjWCwRsM34yBxQ

https://web.facebook.com/share/v/TKSUhABSQUesP6hD

End

National Oil Contingency Plan roadshow heads for KwaZulu-Natal: SAMSA

Pretoria: 31 May 2024

South Africa’s state of readiness for effectively managing marine pollution, but particularly in the event of major oil spills in its oceans waters and adjacent inland waterways comes under focus once more this year, this time in Durban over two days next week, reports the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

The KwaZulu-Natal provincial leg of the two-day roadshow, on Tuesday and Wednesday (04-05 June 2024), scheduled for the Durban port’s ‘N-Shed’ is the third of its kind in recent months at cities on South Africa’s 3200km coastline, with an estimated 200 people expected to participate from across the public, private and non-governmental institutions.

Among these will be private sector representatives of national and regional marine services providers including African Marine Solutions (Amsol), DRIZIT, SPILLTECH, environmental groups including Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and SANCCOB, SAMSA and Transnet, as well as among others, representatives of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) and Department of Transport (DoT), which is tasked with ensuring South Africa’s general preparedness for marine pollution prevention.

According to SAMSA: “The Department of Transport (DoT) has a legal responsibility of providing and fulfilling statutory obligations towards marine pollution prevention response of the Republic of South Africa’s coastline of more than 3 000 kilometres in terms of powers provided in the Marine Pollution (Control and Civil Liability) Act 6 of 1981, Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 2 of 1986 and in the Marine Pollution (Intervention) Act 64 of 1987.

“The Marine Pollution (Control and Civil Liability) Act 6 of 1981 states in its preamble the Act aims: “To provide for the protection of the marine environment from pollution by oil and other marine harmful substances, and for that purpose to provide for the prevention and combating of pollution of the sea by oil and other harmful substances; to determine liability in certain respects for loss or damage caused by the discharge of oil from ships, tankers and offshore installations; and to provide for matters connected therewith”.

However, says SAMSA; in ensuring that requirements of the legislation are properly, consistently met and advanced, also assists the country in discharging diligently its international obligations in terms of its memberhip of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) with regards implementation of provisions of related conventions, but specifically the the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

“MARPOL is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes,” says SAMSA of a duty and responsibility precisely assigned it by the State in terms of its legislated mandate, under the DoT.

In Durban next Tuesday and Wednesday, focus of the event led by the IMOrg – a virtual organisation chaired by the DoT and SAMSA as the co-chair and secretariat – will be primarily on the revised National Oil Contingency Plan.

IMorg is South Africa’s preparedness forum for joint Government and industry response to oil spills within South Africa’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of approximately 1.5-million km² across the Atlantic, Southern and Indian Ocean.

Proceedings will comprise two phases, a townhall type presentation encompassing familiarisation of attendees with the approved NOSCP inclusive of the Marine Oil Pollution Prepared Response and Cooperation (OPRC) Bill, a Durban and Richards Bay ports contingency plan, as well as the Wild Oceans – Oil Spill Modelling and Mapping of the Ecologically Vulnerable hotspots model.

The presentations, beginning at 9am each morning, will then be followed by an onfield demonstration of pollution combating and wildlife protection equipment, says SAMSA.

End

South Africa’s Department of Employment & Labour joins forces with SAMSA and others to bolster sound working conditions for the country’s commercial fishing sector workers – with forced labour an immediate target.

Gqeberha: 14 April 2024

South Africa may be acknowledged globally as being among leading maritime countries with advanced standards for sound labour working conditions in its commercial fishing subsector, but the country is not about to let up.

Instead, armed with a basket of laws, regulations, and international conventions; moves are foot to strengthen its work on the regulation and maintenance of sound labour working conditions for the country’s commercial fishing sector, now undertaken jointly through enhanced coordination, consolidation and collaboration involving three key state departments.

These include the Department of Transport (DoT) through the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment and – for the first time – the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) as well as the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI), the latter responsible for seafarers training.

This emerged this past week in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape province, where 30 officials from the various state departments, inclusive of SAMSA and SAIMI, were taken through a three-day capacity building course on detection of forced labour on board fishing vessels, conducted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The ILO is a sister United Nations (UN) organisation to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

It was during this gathering at the Nelson Mandela University’s Ocean Sciences Campus – from 09-11 April 2024 – where it was divulged for the first time that South Africa’s DEL is in the process of finalising and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SAMSA to facilitate the active ongoing engagement of DEL officials in labour related matters in the country’s commercial fishing subsector, inclusive of vessels inspections.

The MOU between DEL and SAMSA, it emerged, is intended to both facilitate the harmonious regulation of labour working conditions under a set of DEL’s basket of labour legislation – such as the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Labour Relations Act and related – with those provided for by the Merchant Shipping Act administered by SAMSA, as well as to bolster the number of inspectors.

According to both SAMSA and DEL officials present at the training workshop in Gqeberha, the MoU is due to be signed soon.

The officials from the respective entities included SAMSA Chief Operations Officer, Mr Sobantu Tilayi, and DEL’s Director for Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations in the Inspections and Enforcement Directorate, Dr Pravine Naidoo, in the company of DFFE’s Deputy Director in the Chief Directorate for Monitoring, Control and Surveillance, Ms Delricia Augustus, and ILO South Africa based officials, Mr Simphiwe Mabhele and Ms Resh Mehta.

On the three-day course for the 30 government officials on detection of forced labour on commercial fishing vessels, all the officials held the same opinion that this was an acute problem even in South Africa, although evidence remained largely anecdotal.

However, reliance on anecdotal evidence should come to and end before year-end as the ILO in South Africa is currently conducting a thorough study of the country’s commercial fishing sector to establish some baseline information on both its size as well as activities.

According to the ILO, the fishing sector globally has a high prevalence of forced labour, with an estimated 128,000 fishers trapped in forced labour at any given time.

Apparently, key contributing factors to the malaise of rights violations in the fisheries sector involve the combination of weaknesses in the labour inspection regime, poor working conditions, and overlapping legislation, sometimes leading also to labour exploitation involving non-payment of wages, excessive working hours, and inadequate safety measures.

South Africa ratified the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No. 188), which sets international labour standards for fishing vessels and fishers and was among the first countries globally to implement it.

The ILO’s Capacity Building Programme aims to strengthen the capacity of the South African government, SAMSA, DFFE, and DEL inspectors to detect and identify forced labour on fishing vessels.

The training components included sessions on international labour standards, identification of forced labour indicators, links between illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and forced labour, inspection protocols, and the collection of evidence.

The 30 officials attending the ILO course were taken through various aspects of both international and domestic law, and current best practices in forced labour detection. Presentations by subject experts in the field included:

South Africa’s national legislations applicable to fishing sector labour
Forced labour identification tools and inspection protocols,
Links between forced labour, human trafficking, and human smuggling in the fishing sector
Non-government allies in forced labour identification
Communicable and non-communicable diseases on board fishing vessels
The piloting of the South African Stardard Operating Procedures (SOP) and referral mechanism

With the course underway at NMU, this blog took advantage of the presence of the various officials and conducted a series of interviews with each of available officials present at the Ocean Sciences Campus.

In addition to his opening remarks of the training workshop (video below) we chatted with Mr Tilayi from SAMSA (last video below) for insights into both the significance of the soon to be entered into MOU with the DEL as well as ongoing training of SAMSA surveyors involved in the commercial fishing subsector. For his views, please click on last video below.

_{An opening address by Mr Sobantu Tilayi. SAMSA COO}

DFFE’s Ms Delricia Augustus (video below) elaborated on the role of the department and its necessary collaboration with SAMSA, the DEL and others on the proper regulation of the fishing sector with respect to sound working conditions of labour.

Dr Pravine Naidoo of the DEL (video below) spoke at length about why it mattered that the department strengthens its presence and activities in the country’s commercial fishing, sector as well as on expectations of outcomes of its formalised close collaboration with SAMSA, alongside the DFFE.

Next up were the two ILO officials, Mr Mabhele and Ms Mehta, (respective videos below) wherein highlights included an overview of the ILO’s relations with South Africa on maritime sector conventions, specifically the Working in Fishing Convention, 2007 (C.188) and subsequent conventions, ongoing engagements inclusive of continued training of inspectorate officials, as well as the research currently underway in the country’s commercial fishing sector, and due for publication in September this year.

End.

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.

Prevention of oil pollution at seas, the focus of Day of Seafarers 2023 celebrations on Sunday: Department of Transport.

Pretoria: 23 June 2023

Global celebrations of the Day of the Seafarer on 25 June 2023 – falling on Sunday this year – shifts its focus somewhat from welfare-centric matters towards one key environmental issue of general concern in the maritime sector: sea oil pollution and current as well as future mitigating measures against it.

According to the Department of Transport (DoT), lead organisers of South Africa’s marking of the annual International Maritime Organisation (IMO) event, to be hosted in coastal cities; Durban Gqeberha and Cape Town on Tuesday, 27 June 2027; the theme for this year’s celebrations, as endorsed by IMO is: Marpol at 50 – Our Commitment goes on.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) which jointly with the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) will co-host the event in Durban and Gqeberha, respectively, says the theme spotlights the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which covers prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.

“It also reflects the IMO’s long history of protecting the environment from the impact of shipping via a robust regulatory framework, whilst emphasizing its ongoing commitment to this important work.

“The theme is also linked to pursuing the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which include affordable and clean energy (SDG 7); industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9); climate action and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources (SDGs 13 and 14); and the importance of partnerships and implementation to achieve these goals (SDG 17),” says SAMSA.

*_{Transnet’s N-Shed hal at the port of Durban, the venue of this year’s leg of the marking of the Day of the Seafarer to be hosted by SAMSA on Tuesday, 27 June 2023}*

Hosted simultaneously at the coastal cities, with SAMSA in Durban, SAIMI in Gqeberha, and the DoT in Cape Town on Tuesday, the day’s proceedings will, in addition to a key address by the Minister of Transport, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga; involve panel presentations and engagements focussing on what the public and private sectors, education institutions and related in South Africa, are doing jointly or individuals as groups, to contribute to the realisation of goals of the IMO Marpol Convention, as consistent also with the UN’s sustainable development goals.

The event, to which seafarers will fully participate and contribute, is scheduled to start at 08h30 and end at 15h00 in all three cities.

End.

WOMESA South Africa chapter relaunch in Gqebera, Eastern Cape a major boost for women in maritime

Pretoria: 29 May 2023

The strengthening of women’s grip and hold onto Africa and global maritime affairs is set to receive yet another boost in South Africa with the relaunch of the country’s chapter of the Women in the Maritime Sector in Eastern and Southern Africa (WOMESA) at Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, this week.

Leading the relaunch of WOMESA South Africa chapter during the event on Tuesday will be South Africa’s Minister of Transport, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga, accompanied by the Eastern Cape Province Premier, Mr Oscar Mabuyane, the province’s Transport MEC, Mr Xolile Nqatha, Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor, Mr Gary van Niekerk, along with several women of different occupations in the region’s maritime economic sector.

WOMESA, founded in Mombasa, Kenya in 2007; has membership in about 25 countries within the East and Southern African region including Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Thirteen of these countries have formal domestic WOMESA structures or chapters, in the Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

WOMESA projects its vision as one focused on development of the body to be ‘…a key partner for gender inclusivity in the sustainable development agenda of the maritime sector in Africa.’ Towards the goal, WOMESA’s mission is to “…promote active women participation in the maritime sector and contribute to the growth of the industry in Eastern and Southern Africa through pursuance of activities aimed at promoting gender equality.”

In its strategic aim for the five years 2022-2026, WOMESA says it is pursuing 11 objectives, among them the enhancement of training and capacity building, strengthening of mentorship programs, identification and mobilization of fundraising approaches, establishing and nurturing smart partnerships and networks, intensifying the fight against Gender Based Violence (GBV), identifying new opportunities for women in the Blue Economy, operationalizing its regional secretariat, establishing new national chapters, enhancing research and development, promoting visibility, intensifying advocacy and awareness as well as undertaking corporate and social responsibility activities.

Undergirding WOMESA’s drive is the IMO’s program on the Integration of Women in the Maritime Sector (IWMS) launched in 1989, with a ‘primary objective is to encourage IMO Member States to open the doors of their maritime institutes to enable women to train alongside men and so acquire the high-level of competence that the maritime industry demands.’

The relaunch this week of the South Africa chapter of WOMESA in Nelson Mandela Bay, occurring during the month of May on which Member States of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) celebrate a Women in Maritime Day (18 May), is a culmination of efforts by various players in the maritime sector, including the Department of Transport, the Association of African Maritime Administrators (AAMA) and others over the last five years, to resuscitate the structure following a collapse of the initiative in the country a few years earlier.

Organisers of this week’s relaunch event, over two-days, on Tuesday and Wednesday; described the resuscitation of the South Africa WOMESA chapter as crucial towards advancement of the body’s vision and mission. “The relaunching of WOMESA (in South Africa) is of paramount importance in harnessing benefits from the IMO and the broader maritime community to empower women in the industry.

“The South African Chapter of WOMESA has been inactive and did not participate in the Strategic Plan 2014-2019. This has left a vacuum in terms of accessing benefits from the IMO and other support partners such as World Maritime University (WMU), United Nations, Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), etc.

“South African women have therefore not been able to benefit from scholarships and training opportunities offered by the IMO and other women empowerment initiatives.,” said the organisers in a statement. Broadly however, a most fundamental issue, they said, was that the role of women in the maritime sector globally was still very narrow as evidenced by their dominance of only one sub-sector: the cruise industry.

“According to the IMO, women currently represent only two percent of the world’s 1,2 million seafarers in a largely male dominated sector, and 94 percent of female seafarers are working in the cruise industry. This shows that a lot more needs to be done to increase the number of female workers across all areas of maritime professions – both shore-based and sea-going,” said the organisers.

Fraternal organisations rendering support to the initiative in both the public and private maritime sectors include South Africa’s Department of Transport (DoT), the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), Transnet National Ports Authority (TPNA), National Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI), eThekwini Maritime Chamber (EMC) African Maritime Solutions (AMSOL), Oceana, Heron-Marine and the local (South Africa) chapter of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA).

Among other highlights, the WOMESA event will also see a new local chapter leadership elected on the second day of the gathering, and a Memorandum of Understanding finalised with WISTA, on Wednesday.

Proceedings at the Southern Sun Marine Parade Hotel in Humewood, Gqeberha on Tuesday and Wednesday are scheduled to begin a 9am, with the first day punctuated by speeches and statements of support, led by Ms Chikunga, Mr Mabuyane and Mr Van Niekerk.

End

Seafarers’ well-being has South Africa’s unwavering support: Transport Minister on World Maritime Day 2021

Pretoria: 04 October 2021

South Africa may currently be accounting for no more than 0,65% (or 10 671) of registered world’s seafarers (approximately 1,7-million), but its commitment to contributing to their improved work and general social welfare conditions remains unwavering, according to the South African government.

To this end, confirmed South Africa’s Transport Minister, Mr Fikile Mbalula; the country has paved the way for all seafarers – domestic or international – to receive Covid-19 vaccination in the country subject to conditions periodically relevant in terms of domestic national lockdown regulations.

*South Africa Transport Minister, Mr Fikile Mbalula*

Mr Mbalula’s confirmation came in remarks he made in an opening address during the marking of the global celebration of World Maritime Day 2021 on Thursday last week. The Transport Department organised event held online and streamed live on social media occurred in the same week that the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) officially confirmed through a Marine Notice the extension of Covid-19 pandemic vaccinations to all seafarers on South Africa’s waters.

In terms of that Marine Notice (MN 19-21 [C+F+S+P]) dated 23 September 2021, all foreign seafarers in South Africa’s ports are eligible for vaccination, and to which a process guidline is provided. The South African government directive through SAMSA was given in support of efforts by various institutions locally and globally, including the International Maritime Organisation(IMO), the World Health Organisation and related, for seafarers to be prioritised for vaccination against the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his World Maritime Day 221 celebration address to an online audience of about 124 guests, Mr Mbalula said this latest initiative served as an ample demonstration of the country’s full commitment to contributing positively and sustainably to the improvement of the working conditions as well as general welfare of seafarers across the world.

He described as it as befitting therefore that the 43rd ocassion of the world’s celebration of World Maritime Day 2021 as guided by the IMO, to which South Africa is a Member State, was given a theme focusing attention on seafarers: “Seafarers: At the core of shipping’s future“.

Mr Mbalula said South Africa’s geo-location at the most southern tip of the African continent, surrounded by three oceans; the Atlantic to the west, the southern ocean and the Indian Ocean to the east, with a coastline of some 3800km, and an oceans based 1.5-million square kilometers of an Exclusive Economic Zone, made it an undoubted maritime country. For the reason, almost the entire country’s foreign trade depended centrally on shipping, and by extension, on the singular critical importance of seafarers manning those vessels.

“Seafarers play a strategic role in shipping and yet also bare the brunt of challenges facing the sector but especially now during the outbreak and spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. South Africa is among IMO Member States that were first to declare seafarers as essential workers.”

For his full remarks (+-8 minutes), click on the video link below.

Transport Minister Mr Fikile Mbalula’s opening remarks during South Africa’s celebration of World Maritime Day 2021 on 30 September.

Humanitarian crisis

For its part, the IMO that was represented by Senior Legal Officer, Mr Jan de Boer, acknowledged with appreciation South Africa’s continued strong support of the United Nations body, even as 250 000 seafarers across many parts of the world are still facing an uphill battle during especially the period of the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Mr de Boer, difficulty with crews changes, inability to work and in some instances, cases of abandonment of seafarers were still a massive challenge, as was the need to prioritise seafarers for vaccinations. This occured against the backdrop of a situation where only about 57 of the IMO’s 167 Member States had so far designated seafarers as essential or key workers.

Describing the situation of seafarers worldwide as a “humanitarian crisis”, he said movement restrictions were also still a major challenge this despite the existence of a framework of protocols established as well as resolutions by the IMO and associated organisations in order to help assist efforts towards addressing problems faced by seafarers.

For its part, said Mr de Boer, the IMO has in place a Seafarer Crisis Action Team that seafarers and related may direct inquiries for assistance.

For Mr de Boer’s full remarks (about 5 minutes), click on the video link below.

Mr Jan de Boer, ILO Senior Legal Officer’s remarks during South Africa’s celebration of World Maritime Day 2021 on 30 September.

In SA, seafarers are essential workers

Meanwhile, according to SAMSA; continued engagement with seafarers is vital to ensuring an orderly, inclusive approach to both confronting the challenges facing seafarers as well as working out appropriate measures aimed at improving their working conditions and securing a sound social welfare future.

*Ms Tsepiso Taoana-Mashiloane. SAMSA Acting CEO*

SAMSA acting CEO, Ms Tsepiso Taoana-Mashiloane recounted various steps the country has undertaken to address especially the pressing problems brought about by the outbreak of Covid-19 in China in 2019.

Over the past year since about May 2020, in addition to an early designation of seafarers as essential workers, the country sought to ensure limited restrictions of both vessels and their seafarers on South Africa sea waters while also making provision for both the extension of their certificates of competency and related, as well as facilitating for the renewal of passports.

Undertaken jointly with various government and private sector institutions in the maritime sector, similar measures relevant to seaferers in the fishing and related sectors such as leisure were also made thereby ensuring that no seafarers were left stranded while in or nearby the country’s borders.

She said: “… It is befitting that the IMO has made a clarion call to all of us to make 2021 a year of action for seafarers, who daily face unprecedented adversity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, despite their vital role as essential workers supporting global supply chains,

“As of this month, with the South African government having secured enough volumes of Covid-19 pandemic vaccinations for both South Africans and non-residents, SAMSA has facilitated for the vaccination of all Seafarers on our shores.

“We acknowledge that there is still more work to be done especially in ensuring that seafarers are fully recognised as “Essential Workers” in the country. Engagements with our partners are ongoing.”

Further, according to Ms Taoana-Mashiloane, similar to the IMO’s STAC, SAMSA as the country’s registrar of seafarers, also has a dedicated office to seafarers welfare that they can refer issues of interest or concern to, by email: welfare@samsa.org.za

For her full remarks, click on the video link below.

SAMSA Acting CEO, Ms Tsepiso Taoana-Mashiloane’s address during South Africa’s celebration of World Maritime Day 2021 on 30 September

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Day of the Seafarer 2021: Setting a ‘fair future’ for seafarers: DoT-SAMSA

Pretoria: 24 June 2021

For no less than three hours early on Friday, June 25, South Africa’s role and contribution in the shaping of a fair future for seafarers locally and globally will come under the microscope as some of the country’s stakeholders and interested parties in the general wellbeing of these highly skilled yet generally overlooked oceans-based workers gather to mark the International Day of the Seafarer 2021, under the guidance and leadership of the Department of Transport.

The marking of Day of the Seafarer 2021 takes the shape of an online event – for the second year running, owing to the ongoing rampant spread of the Covid-19 pandemic – hosted by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) from its Pretoria-based Head Ofice on Friday morning.

Starting from 9am and scheduled to last until 12 noon, high profile participants on the programme, according to SAMSA, include Transport Minister Mr Fikile Mbalula and his deputy, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, the department’s Acting Director for Maritime Branch Mr Mthunzi Madiya, Ms Soraya Artman of the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI), Mr Musa Mbakaza of AMSOL, Ms Silindokuhle Nyoka of Transnet, and Captain Mike Kelly representing The Mission of Seafarers Association, as well as SAMSA acting CEO Ms Tsepiso Taoana Mashiloane and Mr Sibusiso Rantsoabe

Also participating and sharing an international perspective will be Mr Cheah Aun Aun from the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore.

The theme of the 2021 instalment of the Day of the Seafarer as decided by the International Maritime Organisation is a “Fair Future for Seafarers” – the idea behind it being a continued effort to rally individual maritime country as well as international support for measures to improve and enhance the working conditions as well as the general welfare of seafarers globally.

In invitations circulated to maritime sector stakeholders earlier this month, SAMSA said: “In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, seafarers found themselves both on the front line of the global response and subject to difficult working conditions. Last year the Day of the Seafarer campaign focused its message around urging Governments to recognize seafarers as key workers and ease travel restrictions for them to facilitate crew changes.

“The 2021 Day of the Seafarer campaign will continue to encourage Governments to support seafarers amid the pandemic but will expand its message, calling for a fair future for seafarers. You are therefore urged to join the virtual event where various speakers and seafarers will highlight the plight of our seafarers and the plans that the Government and its partners have to ensure that seafarers are treated fairly,”

At Friday’s event, with just 100 confirmed attendees, expected to dominate the marking of the Day of the Seafarer 2021 are activities and related measures being undertaken by particularly the Department of Transport, its agency SAMSA, as well as industry to advance this cause, this especially against unique challenges by seafarers due to the onset and continued international havoc wreaked by the Covid-19 pandemic since its outbreak in China in late 2019

According to SAMSA, the online event will again be livestreamed on the SAMSA Facebook in order to allow the public access. To connect, please click on the link following link: https://fb.me/e/1UMv7h5fr

This blog will also follow proceedings of the event.

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Seafarers are essential workers at all times, global maritime industry advocates: DoT-SAMSA

Pretoria: 24 June 2020

The global maritime sector’s focus turn to celebrate the world’s estimated 1.6-million seafarers on Thursday, 25 June 2020 – a day declared an International Day of the Seafarer and marked annually- in acknowledgement and appreciation of the role of the labour sector for its contribution both to world trade over the oceans and associated activities at sea.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) along with its Member States, including South Africa, celebrate the day this year with a key theme message; #Seafarers Are Key Workers, conceptualised to advance a growing realisation that the world’s seafarers are essential workers.

In South Africa on Thursday, according to the Department of Transport (DoT) and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), the country will mark the event Thursday with a virtual session involving invited guests and a panel of about 30 people, and which will be livestreamed to the public between 10am and 12 noon. (For more on this, click on the blog’s Seafarers Day dedicated page Here)

In a statement, the entities said: “The Day of the Seafarer is observed every year on the 25^th of June by all IMO member states to pay tribute to millions of seafarers from across the globe, for their unique contribution to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole.

“Each year, the Day of the Seafarer adopts a campaign theme and the theme for 2020 is “Seafarers are Key Workers”. The 2020 campaign seeks to raise awareness of the work of seafarers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to thank them for their contribution. Seafarers are on the frontline of the COVID-19 response, playing an essential role in maintaining the flow of vital goods, such as food, medicines and medical supplies.

Thursday’s virtual session, involving a panel of about six (6) members and up to 30 participants from stakeholders and roleplayers in the country’s maritime economic sector, will be led by Transport Minister, Mr Fikile Mbalula.

Other participants scheduled include Master Mariner, Ms Constance Nengohvela, maritime studies educationist, Ms Theresa Williams, marine engineer Mr Khomotso Makgae, Amsol human resource executive, Mr Nceba Mfini, international Transport Workers Federation (ITF) official Mr Steve Yandell, Mr Odwa Mtati, Chief Executive Officer of the South African International Maritime Institute, Mr Sobantu Tilayi, SAMSA acting CEO and others.

In the statement ahead of the event, Mbalula said: “We acknowledge the sacrifices of the seafarers and the adverse effects of the Corona Virus on their personal and professional wellbeing. The outbreak of COVID-19 has exacerbated seafarers’ already difficult working conditions, as it has led to the restriction of port access, crew changeovers and repatriations, in an attempt to flatten the curve.

“Many seafarers have been away from home for months and are uncertain about when they will be able to return home or go back to their international posts, due to global travel restrictions. The South African Government is mindful of this dire situation and is doing all it can to ensure that seafarers are prioritised as the economy gradually reopens”, said the Minister of Transport, Mr Fikile Mbalula.

In South Africa SAMSA, the DOT and other maritime institutions will host a virtual discussion to mark the Day of the Seafarer. The virtual discussion will be held on 25 June 2020, from 10h00 until 12h00, and attended by key stakeholders in the maritime industry. Seafarers will use the opportunity to highlight issues affecting them during the prevalence of COVID-19,” he said.

For more on the programme for Thursday’ event, Click Here

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