In a decisive move to protect South Africa’s fragile marine ecosystems, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has published a second draft of regulations aimed at curbing environmental risks from offshore fuel transfers specifically ship-to-ship (STS) bunkering operations. The updated draft introduces a risk-based management framework to reduce oil spill incidents and safeguard biodiversity in coastal hotspots like Algoa Bay.
Since offshore bunkering began in Algoa Bay in 2016, four oil spills have been recorded, threatening over 260 endangered African Penguins and numerous other marine species. The bay, a UNESCO-recognized biodiversity hotspot, hosts the world’s largest breeding colony of African Penguins, whose populations have seen a steep decline.
Announcing the draft release, Dr. Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, emphasized the urgency of regulation in maintaining marine ecological integrity while supporting sustainable economic activity.
Strengthening Environmental Oversight
The proposed regulations are rooted in South Africa’s Integrated Coastal Management Act (No. 24 of 2008) and call for stringent controls over bunkering activities within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Key provisions include:
•Comprehensive Environmental Management Plans (EMPs)
•Mandatory wildlife monitoring
•Rapid spill response systems
•Continuous environmental impact assessments
The Department stated the objective is to prevent, minimize, and if needed remedy any environmental harm arising from fuel transfers at sea. These measures are intended to strengthen resilience in South Africa’s coastal conservation areas and to protect the marine heritage for future generations.
Collaborative Regulatory Process
The second draft builds on a previous version released in February 2025 and integrates feedback from a range of agencies and coastal stakeholders. Consulted entities include:
•South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)
•Transnet National Ports Authority
•South African National Parks (SANParks)
•Provincial Environmental MECs
•Department of Transport
The government consultative approach reflects a commitment to co-designed, science-based policy, ensuring the new rules are both enforceable and informed by marine science and real-world operational insights.
A Fight to Save the African Penguin
At the heart of the regulatory push lies the struggle to preserve the African Penguin, a species increasingly at risk due to habitat loss, pollution, and declining fish stocks. Officials hope that stronger controls on marine fuel operations will reduce threats to this emblematic bird and restore balance to ecosystems already under pressure from climate change and industrial expansion.
South Africa efforts set a regional precedent for marine environmental protection, reaffirming its constitutional duty to safeguard the natural environment for present and future generations. The draft regulations aim not just to reduce risks but to foster a coexistence between economy and ecology in one of the planet’s most vital marine frontiers.