SA maritime authorities monitoring Middle East developments
South Africa’s maritime safety authority is "closely observing" developments in the Middle East regarding the rerouting of merchant vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.
In a statement, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) said that, as the designated authority for maritime safety and environmental protection, it is monitoring and assessing the potential impact on global shipping routes.
“Through the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town, Maritime Domain Awareness is on high alert to support the high volume of traffic.
SAMSA anticipates a possible increase in maritime traffic along the South African coastline, and the MRCC is well-positioned to monitor the movement of merchant vessels in real time.”
The authority has called on ship operators to remain vigilant and stressed the importance of relying on verified, authoritative maritime safety information when making operational decisions.
“We stand fully prepared to support all vessels choosing to navigate past our coastline, thereby providing the right of innocent passage as per the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” said SAMSA CEO, Captain Dennis Mqadi.
“We remain ready to provide navigational guidance, maritime domain awareness updates, and safety information to ensure secure and efficient passage for all ships.”
Mqadi added that SAMSA reaffirms its commitment to upholding the highest standards of maritime safety within South African waters.
“We will continue working collaboratively with national departments, regional partners, and global maritime bodies to ensure that South Africa remains a safe, reliable, and strategically important route for international shipping,” he said
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