July 16, 2025
South Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to decarbonizing its maritime industry, outlining plans to implement key IMO regulations on shipping emissions and establish a national task force and action plan to drive the effort.
These priorities emerged during a national workshop co-organized by IMO and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in Pretoria on 10 July. The workshop which marked the first cross-sectoral event in South Africa to be fully dedicated to maritime decarbonization brought together over 70 senior officials from government, industry and civil society. Discussions centred on four key areas:
- Alignment with the approved IMO Net-Zero Framework
- Fuel transitions and decarbonization technologies
- Workforce development and training
- Financing the green transition
Let us move from statements to strategies, from planning to piloting, and from ambition to real action… Africa must be part of designing the route.
…said Mkhuleko Hlengwa, Deputy Minister of Transport.
Furthermore, IMO technical officer Camille Bourgeon presented an overview of the IMO Net-Zero Framework, which is due to be adopted by the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee in October 2025. It comprises a set of mandatory regulations, including a global fuel standard and a global pricing system for GHG emissions.
The workshop is extremely valuable in terms of linking IMO’s global frameworks with nationwide strategies. It also helps us to identify pilot projects, while laying the foundation for stronger coordination among stakeholders
…said Bourgeon.
At the conclusion of the workshop, delegates endorsed a set of priority actions, including:
- Governance: Ratify and enforce MARPOL Annex VI (IMO treaty which regulates air pollution and ship emissions), establish a national task force on shipping decarbonization, develop national action plans and raise awareness at all levels.
- Infrastructure: Explore government incentives and identify funding mechanisms for alternative fuel production, promote clean fuel infrastructure and bankable projects; Improve access to finance and reduce barriers for green shipping investments
- Workforce: Modernize maritime education, initiate skills gap assessments, and invest in training programmes for green maritime careers.
It is a journey filled with opportunity for green industries, new skills, cleaner communities, and a more resilient ocean economy.
…said Mbalenhle Golding, Acting CEO, SAMSA.
