#WorldOceansDay: SAMSA promotes safe, clean oceans

“People rely on shipping every single day, as the most cost-effective and fuel-efficient way to transport essential raw materials, commodities and consumer goods,” said Sobantu Tilayi, Chief Operating Officer for South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

However, it is for this reason, he said, it was equally important that shipping generates a minimal negative impact on the ocean and atmospheric environment.

In celebration of World Oceans Day, Friday 8 June, SAMSA will be hosting an exhibition at the Transnet Cruise Terminal (Durban Harbor) to promote safe seas and clean oceans.

The theme of this year’s World Oceans day is Preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean.

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The event, hosted by the Department of Environmental Affairs, will be open to public.

To deliver on its mandate to prevent pollution from ships SAMSA is charged with 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.

MARPOL addresses pollution by oil from ships; noxious liquid substances, such as chemicals, carried in bulk; harmful substances carried in packaged form; sewage discharges into the sea and the disposal at sea of ship-generated garbage.

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SAMSA believes that a safe, sustainable, and competitive transportation framework is essential to Africa’s prosperity and competitiveness in the shipping sector which accounts for 90 per cent of goods transported around the world.

“This must be achieved in a sustainable manner that respects the importance of the ocean. We are poised to ensure waterways are managed safely and effectively, and to establish low-impact trade corridors on the land and the sea that enable international and domestic trade safely and efficiently,” said Tilayi.

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