Captain's Log

05 SEPTEMBER 2024 – ROUGH WATERS: LEGAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DUTIES AMIDST THE MV ULTRA GALAXY OIL SPILL

Last month many South Africans were shocked by the news that a vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy, had begun leaking oil following her becoming grounded along the west coast. This was presumably due to the series of severe storms that passed through the Western Cape which lead to heavy swells ...

12 AUGUST 2024 – STAYING ON TRACK: AMENDMENTS TO THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT (COLREGS)

On the 2nd of August 2024 the Department of Transport released amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act (Collision and Distress Signals) Regulations of 2005 (“the Colregs”). In terms of these amendments, Part F (incorporating new Rules 39, 40 and 41 to the annex) was introduced therein. The aim of the ...

25 JULY 2024 – CLIMATE CHANGE ACT: SHIFTING GEARS IN SOUTH AFRICA’S LEGAL LANDSCAPE

On the 23rd of July 2024, the Climate Change Act was assented by the President. This long-awaited Act incorporates the provisions of the Paris Agreement, and specifically aims at developing an effective response to climate change. The Act sets several new concepts that will be affecting various industries in South ...

13 JUNE 2024 – NRCS ACT AMENDMENTS OPEN FOR COMMENTARY

On the 3rd of June 2024 the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition published a general notice that section 13(4) of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (“NRCS”) Act is to be amended. The NRCS amendments creates new compulsory specifications for: dried abalone; chilled smoked fish and smoke-flavoured finfish and ...

28 MAY 2024 – NO CAN DO! PUBLIC COMMENTARY INVITED FOR NEW BIODIVERSITY BILL

On the 24th of May the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, published new amendments to the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA). The new Biodiversity bill aims to ensure more effective implementation, increased protection of species through the introduction of new provisions related to listed species and ecosystems, ...
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