With the climate change challenge gaining momentum around the world, South Africa, like other countries is taking steps to mitigate the effects of climate change and pollution.
This as President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment Bill into law in January. The bill ushers in stronger measures to better protect South Africa’s oceans from ship-related pollution.
“The signing of the Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment Bill is a significant step for South Africa in addressing the effects of marine pollution, aligned to the Sustainable Seas Trust’s [SST] mission and vision. This bill presents a positive shift in enhancing the country’s capacity to address marine pollution while aligning with international standards under MARPOL,” SST Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Janine Osborne told SAnews.
According to the International Marine Organization (IMO), the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main international convention covering the prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.
The MARPOL convention was adopted in November 1973 at the IMO, which is the United Nations specialised agency tasked with the responsibility “for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.”
The signing of the amendment bill is vital to safeguarding the country’s environmental and economic security, given that South Africa is endowed with a coastline stretching over 3 000 kilometres from Namibia on the Atlantic Ocean to Mozambique on the Indian Ocean.
The Presidency said the legislation is also a contribution to global efforts to protect the marine environment and sustainable economic exploitation.
The law amends the Marine Pollution Act to incorporate Annex IV and Annex VI of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.
Annex IV regulates the activities for treatment and safe disposal of sewage from ships while Annex VI is the main global instrument that addresses ship energy-efficiency management and greenhouse gas emissions.
“By including Annex IV (sewage management) and Annex VI (air pollution and energy efficiency), the bill strengthens environmental protection and supports the sustainability of South Africa’s marine economy, which is vital for both biodiversity and job creation,” Osborne said in the interview with SAnews.
The amended legislation further broadens the powers of the Minister of Transport to make regulations relating to, among others, the prevention of air pollution from ships and the prevention of pollution by sewage from ships.
It also increases fines for any person convicted of serious offences under the Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act or the international Convention which forms part of South African law. The legislation also improves prison sentences from five to ten years.
The legislation is also born out of the recognition that ships can pollute the oceans in various ways, from oil spills to harmful chemical sewage and garbage.
Osborne welcomed the increase in fines for violations and expanded regulatory powers saying it reflects “the government’s commitment to safeguarding marine resources”.
“Raising fines from R500 000 to R10 million and imprisonment from five to ten years, are a significant step towards deterring marine pollution. These penalties are financially and legally substantial enough to make non-compliance a serious risk for offenders, potentially changing behaviour in the sector.
“However, SST believes that their effectiveness will depend on consistent enforcement, monitoring, and judicial follow-through. Without these mechanisms, there is a risk that the penalties may not achieve the desired deterrent effect,” she said.
Osborne added that while stricter penalties are essential, they cannot fully compensate for irreversible environmental damage caused by pollution.
“That is why SST encourages immediate action to combat waste pollution both on land and at sea.”
As a non-profit organisation (NPO) working to protect Africa’s seas and communities, the SST was one of the organisations that submitted comments into the bill.
South Africa has a large exclusive economic zone at sea and a marine economy which, in 2022, supported about 400 000 jobs in areas across the existing marine economic sectors of shipping, associated construction, tourism and fisheries.
Bordered by three oceans (South Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean), South Africa faces significant marine pollution challenges due to plastic waste and inadequate waste management among others, which impact marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
“Accurately assessing the full extent of this issue is challenging due to limited data. Recent estimates suggest that 15,000 to 40,000 tonnes of plastic waste enter South Africa’s oceans annually, a notable decrease from earlier projections of 90,000 to 250,000 tonnes, highlighting the need for improved research and monitoring,” said Osborne in response to how much of the country's oceanic territory is affected by pollution.
The organisation also added that education on various levels is crucial in addressing marine pollution.
This as the SST has several educational activities such as its Munch programme which encourages and enables the integration of environmental education into the school curricula and the African Waste Academy where free courses are available to the public to share critical information about pollution and proper waste management.
Environment Month
In June of every year, the country commemorates Environment Month where government and captains of industry place the awareness of environmental issues under the spotlight while also challenging all to become agents for change.
Recently, government launched the National Clean Cities and Towns Campaign in Kliptown, Soweto.
Launched by Deputy President Paul Mashatile, the campaign is a nationwide initiative aimed at fostering cleaner, greener, and more inclusive urban spaces, while advancing sustainability, equality, and solidarity among citizens.
The Deputy President who also engaged in clean-up activities at the launch, said the campaign goes beyond mere cleaning but addresses broader service delivery issues and creates opportunities for community employment.
“However, the idea is not really to employ people. It is a voluntary programme. People must clean where they live. There may be instances where the city may employ people here and there, but we want to create a culture of cleaning where people don’t have to be paid to clean where they live,” the Deputy President said at the launch in Soweto.
Also recently, the country joined other countries in marking World Environment Day and World Oceans Day on 5 and 8 June 2025 respectively.
Asked about the general status of the country’s marine sector and whether the Act will have a positive impact on the economy, Osborne said the country’s marine sector has “tremendous” potential while also facing challenges.
“Despite its 3,000 km coastline and vast exclusive economic zone, the sector remains underutilised, with limited ship repair facilities, oil rig servicing, and no registered merchant fleet. Challenges such as skills shortages, port inefficiencies, and underinvestment in infrastructure hinder growth.
“However, initiatives like Operation Phakisa aim to unlock the oceans economy’s potential, targeting contributions of R177 billion to GDP [Gross Domestic Product] and up to one million jobs by 2033.”
Earlier this month, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) launched the Climate Change Coastal Adaptation Response Plan which aims to effectively manage South Africa’s coastal assets. DFFE Minister, Dr Dion George, said having the plan is essential to supporting Operation Phakisa efforts to achieve a sustainable oceans economy.
Operation Phakisa aims to unlock the full potential of South Africa’s ocean economy -spanning sectors such as marine transport, aquaculture, tourism, and offshore resources.
“SST believes that the Marine Pollution Amendment Act can positively impact South Africa’s economy by promoting sustainable marine resource management. By safeguarding vital industries such as fisheries and tourism and aligning with international environmental standards, the Act supports economic growth while protecting marine biodiversity,” she explained.
Collaboration
Additionally, the SST said it recognises that policies and legislation alone are not enough to drive meaningful change and that collaboration across all sectors of society is essential.
“Every stakeholder has a role to play in the waste management value chain. By understanding and embracing these roles, each step of the chain can contribute positively to sustainable development.”
Implementation
Osborne said the key to the success of the Act is implementation.
“However, SST believes the key to the success of the bill lies in effective implementation and enforcement. To achieve its objectives, robust monitoring systems, sufficient resources, and transparent enforcement processes are essential. It will also be important to address any potential loopholes or exemptions in emissions regulations to ensure meaningful environmental outcomes.”
Osborne cautioned that without strong enforcement mechanisms, the bill’s impact may not fully meet its intended goals.
“We remain committed to working with stakeholders to support effective implementation and protect South Africa’s marine environment.”
Protecting the environment
On whether government is doing enough to protect the environment, Osborne is of the view that progress has been made.
“The South African government has made valuable strides in environmental protection through initiatives such as advancing renewable energy projects, enacting the Climate Change Act, and promoting a circular economy. These actions reflect a commitment to sustainability and economic growth,” she said.
The Climate Change Act is intended to enable the development of an effective climate change response and a long-term, just transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy and society in the context of sustainable development; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
However, she added that significant challenges remain, including continued reliance on coal, slow renewable energy deployment, and enforcement gaps at local levels.
“To strengthen environmental protection, we believe there is a need to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels, improve coordination among government entities, and invest in infrastructure for waste management and renewable energy.
“SST believes that increased public participation and transparency in environmental decision-making can strengthen efforts to achieve long-term sustainability.”
She added that her organisation is committed to supporting these efforts through awareness campaigns and education, as well as “collaborative initiatives that protect the environment and marine heritage for future generations.”
While government is not missing the boat in putting in place legislation to protect the environment, responsible human behaviour is also needed if future generations are to enjoy South Africa’s scenic natural endowments. -SAnews.gov.za
