The department will now reassess how it intends to manage the marine services, which include the operation and maintenance of research and patrol vessels. Competing bidder for the management contract, Smit Amandla challenged the tender process in court.
Sekunjalo was due to take over operation of the vessels from 1 April from Smit Amandla but the department says that it will now "explore various options" after the contract was withdrawn.
Sekunjalo says it has asked the department to cancel the tender so that a new bidding process could be undertaken.
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