Minister Nzimande to tour the first hydrogen-powered, zero-emissions vessel, the Energy Observer, when it docks in Cape Town

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, will on Monday, 12 June 2023, welcome the Energy Observer to Cape Town when it docks in Table Bay harbour, and officially open the one-of-a-kind vessel to the public.

The Minister will then address the event after which there will be a panel discussion on South Africa’s decarbonisation journey.  The discussion will be hosted by Air Liquide, a French multinational company that supplies industrial gases and services to various industries, and one of the official partners of the Energy Observer.

The Department of Science and Innovation, as the custodian of the Hydrogen Society Roadmap for South Africa, will also participate in the panel discussion.  The Department has made significant investments in hydrogen research and development activities to support the country's transition to clean and sustainable energy.

The Energy Observer has been sailing around the world since leaving its home port of Saint-Malo, France, in 2017, on an odyssey that will run until 2024.  The vessel, through expeditions and innovations, is exploring practical solutions while developing new technologies to accelerate ecological transition.

The media are invited as follows:

Date:         12 June 2023

Time:         12:00

Venue: Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town

For media attendance, RSVP Thabang Setlhare at 072 659 9690 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Issued by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.

Building 53, CSIR Campus

Meiring Naudé Road

Brummeria

Pretoria

Enquiries: Ishmael Mnisi, 066 037 8859 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.