Visit by the delegation of South Africa

The Director, Gaute Sivertsen, was delighted to welcome the South African Deputy Minister of Transport, Honourable Mkhuleko Hlengwa, and a number of other senior South African officials, to the IOPC Funds’ offices on 7 July 2025.

The delegation also included the Acting Chief Executive Officer for the South African Maritime Safety Agency (SAMSA), Mbalenhle Golding, and the focal point of contact for IOPC Funds’ matters, Vusi September, who regularly and actively represents South Africa at the meetings of the Funds’ governing bodies and is an Alternate Permanent Representative to IMO.

South Africa has been Party to both the 1992 Civil Liability and Fund Convention since 2005 and is one of the first Contracting States to the 2010 HNS Convention.

This short courtesy visit by the delegation was very much appreciated by the Director, who places great importance on maintaining strong contacts with key representatives of Member States.  He encourages other States to take the opportunity when in London to contact the Secretariat to arrange similar short visits which can prove highly beneficial to long-term relations between the State and the organisation.