Current and aspirant bunkering service providers keen to obtain an operating licence in Algoa Bay may now go ahead and apply, as the moratorium on applications will be lifted on April 1.
That’s according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (Samsa).
The authority said in a statement that while the moratorium on bunkering licence applications would be effective only from April 1, applicants could start filing their applications from February 1.
“The moratorium was placed on August 11, pending the finalisation of a Holding Capacity and Risk Assessment Study.
“The lifting follows the last seating of the Bunkering Stakeholder session held in December that resolved that the moratorium should be lifted.”
Samsa said interested stakeholders were encouraged to read the Marine Notice (MN 1 of 2022) of the interim application process and requirements to conduct STS or ship-to-ship transfers and bunkering operations outside a port in conjunction with the current bunker codes, as the codes would ultimately take precedence over any other documentation.
“Only online applications will be accepted via the bunkers@samsa.org.za email address.
“All stakeholders that sent their applications in the past should reapply via the online system.
“The online application process is a transitional arrangement pending the finalisation of the bunker/STS codes,” Samsa said.
Acting CEO for the authority, Tsepiso Taoana-Mashiloane, added that the new online application process was an effort to streamline the processes in the bunkering sector and to ensure that the whole process was fair, just and transparent.
“We are confident that the reopening of the bunkering sector will bring much-needed economic spin-offs and relief to the region and country as a whole.”
An application package that outlines the application process and all related requirements is available on Samsa’s website at www.samsa.org.za
