Jobs at South African Maritime Safety Authority

• To contribute to the development and administration of S.A maritime industry by ensuring the effective registration and regulation of ships under the S.A flag to fully comply with the Ship Registration Act, 1998 (Act No. 58 of 1998) and any other law, with specific oversight over the South African Ship Registration Office and exercise of powers and duties as prescribed under Section 10.

Job Description
KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

Maintenance and Control of the South African Ships Register

• Administer the national registration process adhering to the Ship Registration Act, 1998 and its regulations.
• Verify and enforce ownership qualifications and eligibility of ships for registration in accordance with Section 9 of the Ship Registration Act, ensuring compliance with national and international standards.
• Review and manage ownership documentation to uphold the integrity of the Registry.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in the Register of Ships, including registration certificates, provisional certificates, and temporary passes as required by the Act.
• Ensure lawful issuance, variation, revocation, and custody management of registration certificates as per provisions in sections 23 to 30 of the Act.
• Oversee fee calculations, collections, and maintenance of the Fees and Deeds Register in line with section 57 of the Act.

Compliance and Legal Enforcement

• Enforce compliance with the Act regarding ship nationality, marking, and registration obligations (sections 4, 20, 21), and other applicable laws.
• Handle refusals of registration and removals from the Register in accordance with sections 18, 42, and 43 to protect the interests of the Republic and international merchant shipping.
• Collaborate with authorized officers for enforcement, detention, and forfeiture of ships as authorized under sections 48 to 50.
• Manage rectification, correction, and update of Register entries in line with sections 35 to 38.

Enhancement of South African Ships Register

• Analyse market opportunities and develop incentives for ship owners to register under the South African flag in line with national maritime policy and programmes.
• Develop, implement and promote ship register strategies and customer relations to improve registry attractiveness and efficiency.
• Drive automation and digitization of the Ship Register for improved operational effectiveness.

Administration and Stakeholder Management

• Maintain registration statistics and databases; provide analytical insights as required.
• Coordinate with naval architects, internal SAMSA departments, and external maritime stakeholders.
• Monitor performance and quality of work of support staff and subordinate officers.
• Ensure stakeholder engagement and satisfaction, aligned with ethical standards (D-ETHICS framework).
• Participate in committees and special projects as assigned.

Job Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS

• Matric certificate
• Bachelor's Degree in Law\LLB (NQF level 7).
• Specific knowledge of ownership requirements and eligibility under Section 9 of the Ship Registration Act, 1998, is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of maritime legislation (including the Ship Registration Act, 1998) would be an added advantage.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Seven (7) years of legal experience, with at least three (3) years in a supervisory or management role.
• Practical experience with ship registration processes, ownership verification under Section 9 of the Act, maritime laws, and regulatory compliance will be highly regarded.
• Stakeholder management and shareholder engagement related experience.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Comprehensive understanding of South African maritime legislation, including the Ship Registration Act, 1998, and related legal frameworks administered by the Department of Transport.
• Strong knowledge of international maritime conventions, protocols, and regulatory requirements impacting ship registration and maritime safety.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex legal and regulatory provisions from both national and international maritime authorities effectively.
• Administrative and record-keeping skills with an emphasis on accuracy and compliance in the context of maritime law and governance.
• Attention to detail to ensure the integrity and legality of ship registration documentation and ownership qualifications.
• Analytical and decision-making skills for assessing compliance, resolving registration issues, and managing enforcement actions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to liaise with internal SAMSA units, the Department of Transport, maritime industry stakeholders, and
• international maritime organizations.
• High levels of integrity, confidentiality, and ethical conduct aligned with public service and maritime governance standards.
• Effective organisation and time management skills to oversee registration processes and stakeholder engagements efficiently.
• Leadership and supervisory capabilities to manage staff, ensure quality control, and drive continuous improvement in Ship Registry operations.
• In-depth knowledge of maritime safety, inspection protocols, and the strategic importance of a nationally and internationally compliant ship register.

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• To administer and maintain the South African Ship Register in strict accordance with the Ship Registration Act, No. 58 of 1998, ensuring lawful registration of ships, verification of ownership and mortgages, and compliance with statutory requirements such as vessel inspections and tonnage measurements. The Deputy Registrar will support the Registrar of Ships.

Job Description

• Process ship registration applications, ownership transfers, and cancellations as per the Ship Registration Act Sections 5, 14, and 18.
• Maintain accurate records in the South African Ship Registry including ownership shares, mortgages, and vessel particulars as mandated by Section 18.
• Verify vessel compliance with statutory requirements including inspections and tonnage measurements under Sections 3 and 4 before registration or transfer approval.
• Issue provisional and full registration certificates under authority delegated by the Registrar in line with Section 18.
• Liaise among SAMSA, ship owners, government agencies, and maritime stakeholders to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Support enforcement actions including penalties, compliance investigations, and deregistration according to Section 20.
• Supervise daily registry operations and ensure service continuity during the Registrar’s absence.
• Ensure timely collection and reconciliation of ship registration fees.
• Prepare reports and operational updates for the Registrar and SAMSA management.
• Manage dissemination of Marine Notices, Circulars, and regulatory updates related to ship registration.
• Propose and support amendments to regulations and procedures aligned with evolving maritime laws and strategic objectives.
• Facilitate engagement with maritime sector stakeholders to resolve systemic issues and improve registry services.

Job Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS

• Matric Certificate
• Bachelors Degree\Advanced Diploma in Law or any related qualification (NQF 7)

 EXPERIENCE

• Seven (7) years of legal experience or related maritime regulatory functions, with demonstrable involvement in the administration and enforcement of the provisions of the Ship Registration Act No. 58 of 1998.
• Experience with ship registration processes, ownership transfers, issuance of certificates, maintenance of registry records, and compliance monitoring as prescribed by the Act.
• Proven ability to apply the legislative requirements of the Ship Registration Act effectively within a regulatory or maritime governance environment.

 SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES 

• Legislative and Regulatory Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of the Ship Registration Act No. 58 of 1998, including its key provisions governing ship registration, ownership transfers, certificate issuance, and enforcement. Ability to interpret and apply complex maritime legislation accurately and ensure operational compliance.
• Administrative and Record-Keeping Skills: Skilled in maintaining detailed, accurate, and confidential records in the South African Ship Registry. Proficient in managing documentation related to vessel particulars, ownership shares, mortgages, and regulatory filings as required by the Ship Registration Act.
• Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills: Capacity to analyse registration applications, ownership documents, and compliance issues critically. Resolve discrepancies or registration challenges in line with statutory requirements and ensure correct application of the Act’s provisions.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to engage effectively with ship owners, maritime stakeholders, surveyors, government authorities, and internal teams. Ability to explain regulatory requirements clearly and foster cooperative relationships to facilitate smooth registration processes.
• Organisational and Planning Skills: Strong ability to prioritise tasks, manage multiple deadlines, and coordinate ship registry functions efficiently. Ensure processes comply with legal timeframes and support timely issuance of registration documents as mandated in the Act.
• Computer Literacy: Proficient in using registry management software, databases, spreadsheets, and office productivity tools to maintain the Ship Register and produce operational reports and analyses in line with SAMSA’s requirements.
• Compliance and Enforcement: Knowledge of enforcement mechanisms under the Ship Registration Act, including investigation of non-compliance, imposition of penalties, and deregistration procedures. Capacity to support enforcement actions accurately and fairly to uphold maritime safety and registration standards.
• Integrity and Confidentiality: Demonstrates high personal and professional integrity by safeguarding sensitive registration and ownership information in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policies.
• Stakeholder Liaison and Coordination: Effective coordination and stakeholder engagement skills to maintain continuous communication with maritime sector role-players, government entities, and regulatory bodies. Facilitate collaborative resolution of systemic issues affecting the Ship Registry.
• Maritime Sector Awareness: Well-informed about the maritime industry, ship registration trends, and regulatory environment. Applies this knowledge to anticipate and respond to changes in legislation and policy impacting ship registration and administration.