SHIP-TO-SHIP (StS) bunkering, the transfer of fuel oil between vessels at sea, has sparked significant controversy in Algoa Bay.
Since its introduction in July 2016, StS bunkering has faced scrutiny due to environmental concerns and its contribution to regional crime.
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is responsible for regulating activities within the Port of Port Elizabeth and the Port of Ngqura. However, the lack of security measures and broken perimeter fencing have been persistent issues. By 2020, Algoa Bay saw an increase in StS bunkering operations, with transfers rising from 206 in 2016 to 1,520 in 2020, according to Algoa Bay Conservation’s Ronelle Friend.
In a statement, Friend said, “Algoa Bay, known for its rich marine biodiversity, has suffered significantly due to these operations. The African penguin population on St Croix Island has seen an 88% decline since 2016. Oil spills resulting from bunkering have further endangered marine life, killing endangered African penguins and contaminating the Addo Marine Protected Area.”
In response to these concerns, Friend said the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) set a moratorium on new bunkering licences in 2019, pending a comprehensive environmental risk assessment by TNPA. “Despite this, existing licence holders continued operations, leading to further environmental incidents,” Friend alleged.
The African penguin population has shown signs of recovery after a year of halted operations, doubling from 700 pairs in 2023 to 1,300 in 2024. “This rebound highlights the serious impact bunkering has had on the local ecosystem.
Stakeholders like BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB have legally challenged the DFFE for failing to protect endangered species. The High Court case is ongoing, with the State and commercial fishing interests defending current practices,” she revealed. Friend concluded by mentioning that the organisation has started a petition to ask the DFFE Minister to stop bunkering in Algoa Bay, until such time that the Offshore bunkering regulations have been promulgated.
