South Africa Charts Course For Maritime Decarbonization With National Task Force

South Africa has taken a decisive step toward a greener maritime future by outlining key strategies to align with IMO’s decarbonization goals, including the formation of a national task force, development of green shipping infrastructure, and investment in training for green maritime careers.

The announcements came during the country’s first dedicated maritime decarbonization workshop, co-hosted by the IMO and SAMSA in Pretoria on 10 July.

National Workshop Sets Strategic Direction

The workshop brought together over 70 stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society to focus on four priority areas:

• Alignment with IMO’s Net-Zero Framework

• Adoption of decarbonization technologies and alternative fuels

• Workforce development

• Financing the green transition

Deputy Minister of Transport, Hon. Mkhuleko Hlengwa, called for urgency: “Let us move from statements to strategies, from planning to piloting, and from ambition to real action.”

IMO Support and Regulatory Alignment

IMO technical officer Camille Bourgeon outlined the upcoming Net-Zero Framework, including global fuel standards and a pricing mechanism for shipping emissions, to be adopted in October 2025. He emphasized the importance of the workshop in connecting global frameworks with local pilot projects and national planning.

Key Priority Actions Endorsed

The workshop concluded with a concrete set of priority actions:

• Governance:
  Ratify MARPOL Annex VI, establish a national decarbonization task force, and create national action plans.

• Infrastructure & Finance:
  Promote clean fuel production, improve access to finance, and reduce barriers for investment in green shipping.

• Workforce Development:
  Upgrade maritime education, assess skills gaps, and invest in green career training programs.

Regional Collaboration and Broader Impact

The workshop builds on earlier regional efforts, including a GHG-focused workshop in Mombasa and the Southern African Transport Conference held a day earlier. Countries like Angola, Kenya, Ghana, Liberia, and Namibia also participated, supported by the IMO GHG Technical Cooperation Trust Fund.

SAMSA Acting CEO Ms. Mbalenhle Golding reaffirmed the country’s vision:

“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.” 

South Africa’s decisive steps reflect a regional leadership role in maritime decarbonization. With governance reforms, fuel infrastructure, and workforce training at the core, the country is actively aligning itself with global climate goals and preparing for a low-carbon ocean economy.