Offshore Ship-to-Ship Transfer Regulations Gazetted

Posted 28 August 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Environmental Law

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries & the Environment has finalised and gazetted regulations governing offshore ship-to-ship transfers. These regulations are issued under the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, No. 24 of 2008.

The regulations, which are immediately effective, establish the legal framework for conducting ship-to-ship (STS) transfers within the coastal waters of the Republic. The primary objective is to manage the environmental risks associated with the transfer of hazardous substances, including oil and liquefied gas, between vessels at sea.

Under the new regulatory framework, the following requirements apply:

  • Permit Requirements: No person may conduct an offshore STS transfer without a valid permit issued in terms of these regulations.
  • Designated Areas: Transfers are restricted to specific zones identified and approved by the Department in consultation with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
  • Environmental Management: Applicants must submit comprehensive environmental management plans and demonstrate adequate oil spill response capabilities.
  • Compliance and Monitoring: Permit holders are subject to strict reporting requirements and must allow for inspections by environmental management inspectors.

Compliance and Enforcement

The regulations empower the Department to suspend or revoke permits in the event of non-compliance with environmental safety standards or the conditions of the authorisation. Furthermore, any STS transfer conducted outside of the designated zones or without the requisite permit constitutes an offence under the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, No. 24 of 2008.

Click here to download the full gazetted regulations.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; professional impact is limited to providing legal or environmental compliance advice to maritime clients.
  • For your business: Environmental law firms and maritime consultancies must integrate these new permit procedures into their service offerings for shipping and logistics firms.
  • For your clients: Maritime operators and cargo owners must immediately verify that any planned ship-to-ship transfers are scheduled within authorised zones and that all necessary permits under the 2008 Act are in place to avoid vessel detention or prosecution.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/environmental-management-offshore-ship-to-ship-transfer-regulations-in-force

The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Acts Online. Acts Online accepts no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the article, nor does the information contained herein constitute advice, legal or otherwise.