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South Africa imposes stricter rules on bunkering and STS to protect endangered penguins

South Africa’s government has introduced a new regulatory framework for offshore STS transfers including bunkering, imposing stiff penalties to secure the survival of endangered African penguins.

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MarineTraffic / Sawa Muratov

South Africa’s government has introduced a new regulatory framework for offshore ship-to-ship (STS) transfers including bunkering, imposing stiff penalties to prevent pollution, protect its coastal ecosystems and the endangered African penguins. 

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has signed the Regulations for the Environmental Management of Offshore Ship-to-Ship Transfer, published under the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 2008 (Act No. 24 of 2008). 

These regulations, which will come into force once published in the Government Gazette, provide South Africa with a clear and enforceable environmental framework to manage offshore STS transfer operations. 

They are designed to minimise and mitigate the impacts of a spill in the unlikely event that one occurs and secure the survival of the African Penguin, together with other marine species and ecosystems in the rich biodiverse Algoa Bay and along South Africa’s coastline in general.

The new measures include:

  • Prohibited zones: STS operations are banned within marine protected areas, aquaculture development zones, within 5 nautical miles of each of these zones and within three nautical miles of the high-water mark.
  • Wildlife protection: Operators must monitor for penguins and marine mammals, deploy hydrophone systems, and report sightings and incidents. Immediate response plans must be in place for any oiled or injured wildlife.
  • Weather limits: In Algoa Bay, operations may only take place in safe conditions, with wind speeds below 22 knots and wave heights below two metres. The Minister may set conditions elsewhere.
  • Pollution prevention: Operators must use drip trays, leak detection systems, inflatable booms, and have a spill-response vessel on standby within five nautical miles of shore.
  • Training and compliance: All crew must receive environmental awareness training. Each operator must also submit an independent Environmental Management Plan, approved by the Minister, addressing site-specific risks.
  • Algoa Bay restrictions: Operations are confined to designated anchorages, with a limit on the number of operators and tankers, and seasonal restrictions in anchorage area 2 to protect sensitive habitats.

Non-compliance will be met with firm penalties of up to ZAR 2 million (USD 112,907), imprisonment for up to five years, or both. 

Minister George said: “These regulations are a decisive step to safeguard our oceans and secure the future of our African Penguin. They set strict standards for offshore ship-to-ship transfers, ensuring that maritime activity can only proceed in a safe and responsible way.”

 

Photo credit: MarineTraffic / Sawa Muratov
Published: 29 August, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

PIL’s LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.

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July 21, 2026

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PIL's LNG dual-fuel boxship “Kota Elok” arrives in Singapore on maiden call

Singapore-based Pacific International Lines Pte Ltd on Monday (20 July) said its first 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container vessel, Kota Elok, recently made her maiden call to Singapore on 15 July.

As the first of 13 new 13,000 TEU vessels joining its fleet, Kota Elok is equipped to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low-sulphur fuel oil that helps reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. 

The vessel also incorporated energy-saving features and digital technologies to reduce fuel consumption and enhance operational performance, as well as a bow windshield to improve aerodynamics, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions over the course of long-haul voyages.

“Following Singapore, Kota Elok will continue her voyage on our East Coast Service 1 (ES1) route to South America, calling at ports in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina before returning to Asia,” the company said in a social media post. 

Kota Elok also became PIL’s first vessel to receive Lloyd’s Register certification for compliance with the IACS UR E26 and UR E27 cyber security requirements.

Developed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), UR E26 and UR E27 are mandatory cyber resilience requirements for newbuild vessels contracted from 1 July 2024. 

 

Photo credit: Pacific International Lines
Published: 21 July, 2026

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LNG Bunkering

CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s alternative fuel bunkering infrastructure.
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July 21, 2026

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CIMC SOE secures order for 12,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel from Sinopec Clean Energy

China’s Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CIMC SOE) recently signed a contract with Sinopec (Beijing) Clean Energy Co., Ltd. to build a 12,000-cubic metre (m3) LNG bunkering vessel, according to Chinese maritime media.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2028 and will support Sinopec’s efforts to expand its presence in the marine clean energy sector.

Once operational, the vessel is expected to strengthen Sinopec’s domestic coastal LNG bunkering network and help address gaps in China’s LNG bunkering infrastructure.

With this signing , CIMC Pacific Offshore Engineering’s LNG bunkering vessel orderbook is further strengthened, maintaining its leading position in the global market for small and medium-sized LNG bunkering vessels.

The contract also marked another milestone for CIMC SOE, which has seen a sharp increase in orders and business performance this year amid a surge in domestic LNG vessel demand.

 

Photo credit: Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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Nuclear

ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

KRISO says AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.
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July 21, 2026

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ABS awards AiP to Korean institute for SMR-powered container ship concept design

Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) on Thursday (16 July) received Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its concept design of a 15,000 TEU Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-powered container ship utilising Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology.

KRISO said the AiP recognises the technical feasibility and safety of its concept design, marking an important milestone toward the development of next-generation nuclear-powered commercial ships.

“This achievement demonstrates international recognition of KRISO’s technological capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of nuclear-powered shipping, supporting the transition toward low-carbon maritime transport,” it said. 

Building on this milestone, KRISO will continue advancing basic and detailed ship design, paving the way for future demonstration and commercialisation of SMR-powered vessels. 

Through continued R&D and international collaboration, KRISO remains committed to strengthening next-generation maritime technologies and contributing to the safe deployment of nuclear propulsion in the maritime industry.

 

Photo credit: Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering
Published: 21 July, 2026

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