The South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa) is closely observing ongoing developments in the Middle East as merchant vessels begin rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope.
Samsa said it is monitoring the evolving situation and assessing its potential impact on global shipping routes, including the expected increase in marine traffic along South Africa’s coastline.
“Through the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Cape Town, the Maritime Domain Awareness is on high alert to support the high-volume traffic,” the maritime safety authority said in a statement.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Cape Town is responsible for monitoring vessel movements and coordinating maritime safety operations within South African waters.
“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 also emphasised the importance of relying on verified and 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),” Chief Executive Dennis Mqadi said.
“We remain ready to provide navigational guidance, maritime domain awareness updates, and safety information to ensure secure and efficient passage for all ships.”
Mqadi reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to maintaining high maritime safety standards 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.