SPA given more enforcement powers though draft regulations |06 March 2024

A new set of regulations imparting more enforcement powers to the Seychelles Ports Authority (SPA) is expected to come into force this year, in line with the International Convention on the Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL).

The proposed draft Merchant Shipping (Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic) Regulation 2024, has been drafted to domesticate the FAL Convention, which Seychelles acceded to in 1989.

As such, the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA) yesterday held a public consultation meeting, to apprise stakeholders of the provisions of the proposed draft. 

Deputy chief executive of the SPA, Egbert Moustache, highlighted the importance of the regulations to give the SPA enforcement powers, and make it mandatory for the port's clients to make use of the Port Victoria Management Information System (PVMIS).

The PVMIS is a web-based solution designed for real-time planning and management of port operations through full control of core port activities such as vessel traffic management, vessel calls and cargo-handling operations among others. It was launched on October 6, 2023.

“The system is working really well and all the port-related agencies are already branched into the system, and putting it to work. But as we progress, we are making improvements and we hope that by July, things will work even better than now,” Dr Moustache stated.

Presently, the computerised customs management system that covers most foreign trade procedures that handle manifests and customs declarations, ASYCUDA, is being integrated into the PVMIS. This is expected to be completed by the end of the month.

The regulation comprises seven parts, and will apply to all passenger and cargo ships above 150 gross tonnes. It further makes provisions for the SPA to impose fines in the event of offences.

Senior legal officer at the SMSA, Wilnette Joseph, explained that the regulations make provisions for standardised documentation associated with the arrival, stay and departure of vessels engaged in international voyages.

“This will facilitate things administratively for SPA, to work with these documents. It will also facilitate things for vessels so that they do not have to submit different documentation at different ports of call. It will be the same documentation across the world under the FAL Convention,” Ms Joseph stated.

No concerns were raised by stakeholders present, including shipping agents Hunt Deltel, Aquarius and Mahé Shipping.

Ms Joseph explained that the regulations are straightforward, and provisions are already being implemented.

“The only reason that we need the regulations now is because the SPA is forging ahead with its digitalisation strategy, and they need to have the legal backing,” she stated.

SMSA and SPA are not expecting any pushback from the regulations, which is an essential component of the SPA’s modernisation efforts.

The project to re-engineer SPA processes is being realised with the support of the European Union’s Africa RISE.

The Africa RISE SEY-002 project was officially launched on March 27, 2023.

Laura Pillay

Photos by Joena Meme