
TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS
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- First View : RFS DUBNA
- Shipping around the coast – news of arrivals and sailings
- Somali pirates learn a costly lesson with Aris 13
- Nigeria’s Homeland orders additional patrol vessel from Damen
- Lake Victoria maritime infrastructure to be improved
- Total’s Moho Nord field offshore Pointe Noire is undwerway
- PRESS RELEASE: South Sudan and Equatorial Guinea joint oil & gas project
- Expected Ship Arrivals and Ships in Port
- Cruise News and Naval Activities
- Pics of the Day : AKADEMIK TRYOSHNIKOV
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Three ships of the Russian Navy arrived in Cape Town on Monday for a short visit, taking most ship watchers and enthusiasts by surprise as there had been no intimation of such a visit. One of the three ships is the support tanker DUBNA which is shown here in this 1987 photograph, courtesy of Wikipedia Commons. See the first story in today’s news for details of the other ships.
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SHIPPING AROUND THE COAST – NEWS OF ARRIVALS AND SAILINGS

Catching most ship watchers and enthusiasts by surprise, three ships of the Russian Federation Navy sailed into Cape Town harbour on Monday, arriving about midday “just after the noon-day gun had sounded” as one reader has described it.
The three ships are the Udaloy I class destroyer SEVEROMORSK, and her two …[restrict] support vessels DUBNA (tanker, 6022-tons) and ALTAY (salvage or rescue tug). The ships have been on deployment in the Arabian Sea area and have sailed to South Africa via the Indian Ocean. After sailing from Cape Town tomorrow they will visit the Namibian port of Walvis Bay from this Saturday before continuing their way up the West African coast and presumably back then to Russia.

The destroyer Severomorsk is one of eight Udaloy I class anti-submarine destroyers. Severomorsk was commissioned in 1987 and is part of the Northern fleet. She displaces 7570 tons fully loaded and is 163 metres in length and a beam of 19.3 metres. The ship’s propulsion consists of two shafts, 4 gas turbines, COGAG (two gas turbines connected to a single propeller shaft), generating 120,000 hp and giving her a speed of 35 knots. The destroyer has a range of up to 12,500 nautical miles.[/restrict]
Smit Amandla

The South African salvage tug SMIT AMANDLA has sailed from Cape Town and is reported to be heading for Maputo in Mozambique…[restrict] This is where the SA Navy combat support ship SAS DRAKENSBERG has been since Monday this week. According to the navy, as quoted in the latest defenceWeb, Drakensberg was not detained in the Mozambique port of Pemba because of a propulsion problem, as reported in several publications including africa PORTS & SHIPS, but had made her way to Durban where a spare part was obtained and the ship was repaired in just four hours by her own crew!
After that SAS Drakensberg returned to her patrol duties under Operation Copper in the Mozambique Channel.
If all it required was a spare part that her own crew was capable of replacing, it rtaises the question why the part wasn’t flown or shipped to Nacala instead of sailing the crippled warship all the way to Durban and then back to Mozambique again.
Smit Amandla’s purpose in Maputo is not known.
BBC Shanghai

The general and project cargo ship BBC SHANGHAI (4713-dwt, built 2001) which sailed from Durban last week has suffered an engine failure some 90 nautical miles north-east of East London last Wednesday (15 March) and has had to be towed into that port by one of the Port Elizabeth/Ngqura harbour tugs, SHASA (460 gt, built 2009). BBC Shanghai was en route to Lagos at the time.[/restrict]
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SOMALI PIRATES LEARN A COSTLY LESSON WITH ARIS 13

Somali pirates made a cardinal mistake when they seized the Comoros-registered tanker ARIS 13 early last week. They took a ship that was chartered by a powerful local businessman!
This probably contributed to the reason why the ship was released four days later without any ransom being paid. Some reports suggest that Puntland forces secured the release of the ship but it appears to be more than that…[restrict] Pirates don’t give up their spoils without a fight, even if there was any truth that they were simply protecting their fishing grounds from pollution.
Aris 13, carrying a cargo of fuel for the Somali port of Mogadishu, was taken along the northern coast of Puntland by a couple of skiffs carrying armed men. The crew of eight Sri Lankans were unharmed and were forced to sail the ship to an anchorage from where other pirates came aboard and, so it is reported, a ransom was demanded.
Subsequent ‘negotiations’ between the pirates and the Puntland Maritime Police Force were assisted by the revelation of who owned the cargo on board the ship. In Somalia there are some people it is wise not to cross, even for modern day pirates trying to return to the days prior to 2012 when no ship off the Somali coast was safe unless it had on board armed guards or was under escort by one of several dozen warships in the region.
Despite all this, the episode has provided a timely warning that piracy off the north-east African coast is still very much a threat. Local officials are quick to point out that some of the original reasons for the outbreak of piracy in the region included illegal fishing by foreign fleets and pollution involving the dumping into the sea of toxic materials from Europe and Asia.
Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in the north-east of Somalia, says it has warned the international community of increasing incursions by the foreign fishing fleets. “We requested NATO warships to tackle the illegal fishing, but they replied it was not their mandate,” Puntland’s vice-president Abdihakim Abdullahi Omar told media at the port town of Bosasso.
He said that NATO was advised that if they didn’t take measures against the foreign fishing vessels who arrived in Puntland waters under the noses of NATO ship, then the NATO ships would be regarded as a burden rather than a benefit.
Puntland Maritime Police
The 1000-strong Puntland Maritime Police Force has helped create stability on a previously lawless coastline. Its role is to prevent smuggling, piracy and terrorism and when illegal fishing vessels are apprehended, they are handed over to the Puntland government who fines the vessel owners substantial amounts of money to discourage such activity.
The Maritime Police have enjoyed a number of successes rescuing crew from several vessels captured by pirates. The force has also acted against terrorist groups and was successful in driving such a group affiliated with Islamic State from the port town of Qandala.
EUNAVFOR

Meanwhile it is reported that sailors from the EU Naval Force French Navy frigate, FS COURBET, have provided support and reassurance to the crew of the freed fuel tanker, Aris 13, as she sailed away along the coast of Somalia.
The tanker, which had been held at anchor for four days by armed pirates until its release on Thursday, was on her way to a port of safety.
The French sailors gave water and other supplies to the relieved crew and asked if they needed any further assistance.
EU Naval Force warships and maritime patrol aircraft conduct sea and air patrols off the coast of Somalia to deter and repress acts of piracy. The EU Naval Force also provides protection to World Food Programme vessels carrying food aid to displaced people in Somalia.[/restrict]
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NIGERIA’S HOMELAND ORDERS ADDITIOAL PATROL VESSEL FROM DAMEN

Just over a year after it took delivery of the second of two FCS 3307 Patrol vessels, Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Limited (Homeland) of Nigeria has ordered another of the same class with an option on a second, to be named GUARDIAN 3 and GUARDIAN 4.
Like their two predecessors, the two vessels are being supplied as a turnkey solution. The Damen Group is taking care of delivery and crew training, as well as the …[restrict] design and build. Damen’s Local Service Hub in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, will ensure that maintenance, repairs and any additional support is handled by Damen engineers.
Homeland supports international oil companies working in Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas fields by providing engineering, procurement, construction, installation and security services.
Like the first two vessels, the primary mission of the two new Guardians will be carrying out security patrols for the production companies, as well as occasional transfers of crew and supplies. The 33-metre vessels will be fully compliant with the technical requirements of the production companies, and even exceeding them in the case of the top speed which at 30 knots is five knots faster than the specification.
Eighteen bunks will be fitted for crew and security personnel, who can remain on board for up to four weeks. The wheelhouse is bullet-proof and additional equipment includes 15 seats for crew transfers, thermal imaging, a diesel powered SOLAS Fast Rescue Craft and an additional fuel separator to protect the engines and generators from contaminated fuel.
An integral part of the contract is the total care solution that Damen is providing to Homeland. The Damen Service Hub in Port Harcourt has now been operating for two years and is manned by a technical manager and several specialist engineers, ready to render assistance and undertake a wide range of maintenance and repair tasks in order to minimise downtime.

This level of local support is a service that very few other shipyards can offer. For maximum convenience the vessels will be delivered on their own keel by Damen crews from Singapore to Nigeria and following handover the Homeland crew will each be given a week’s training before beginning operations.
“Both us and our clients have been delighted with the performance of our first two FCS 3307 Patrol vessels,” said Homeland Managing Director Louis Ekere. “They remain the most capable craft of their type operating off the coast of Nigeria and we already have charter contracts lined up for both of them. Having the support of the Damen Local Service Hub gives us the utmost confidence that they will consistently operate at full capacity and capability.”
Already under construction as part of Damen’s build-for-stock policy, the Guardian 3 is almost complete except for some additional items and Guardian 4 will be ready within a few months, for delivery in the second quarter of 2017.[/restrict]
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LAKE VICTORIA MARITIME INFRASTUCTURE TO BE IMPROVED

Maritime infrastructure on Lake Victoria is to be impoved following the granting of a US$25 million loan by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The loan will be funneled through the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and involves Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to enable the operation of functional maritime services…[restrict]
LVBC is an organ of the East African Community (EAC) charged with coordinating the various interventions in the Victoria Basin. Mr Telly Muramira, the deputy executive secretary of the LVBC, revealed last week that the four-year AfDB arrangement includes establishing infrastructures and [wireless] communication networks at Entebbe, Kisumu (Kenya) and Mwanza (Tanzania).
“It is a project that has been planned for a while, the AfDB has already approved the money. We are now finalising the startups and should be starting around next month (April) or early May,” he said.

The two-day meeting was called to evaluate various projects and programmes funded by donors and to give an update on those to be run in the next six months.
In Uganda, Mr Muramira said, they are coordinating with the Works and Transport ministry to work out an implementation plan that also encompasses management. The infrastructures include maritime rescue communication centres in the three zones and networks for wireless communication on the lake to allow making and receiving of calls.
The centres will be equipped with staff charged with receiving and responding to distress calls, locating people (mostly fishermen) trapped anywhere on the lake and to coordinate rescue missions.
For the wireless network covering the lake, a working document prepared by AfDB indicates that the project includes a component of extending the range of the current GSM system to its technical maximum. GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), is the network standard for second-generation (2G) digital cellular networks used to operate mobile phones.

“The principal objective of this project is to contribute to broad-based poverty alleviation and improvement of livelihoods of people through increased investment in maritime transport and fishing on Lake Victoria,” says the AfDB.
The head of the Lake Victoria Environment Management Programme in Uganda, Mr Sowedi Sewagudde, revealed several other upcoming projects which include, among others, the Integrated Water Resources Management funded by the German development Bank Kfw that will see the construction of a waste water treatment plant to process sewerage from the Nakivubo drainage channel before it is discharged into Lake Victoria. This, he said, will help to curb pollution levels.
Issues at hand
* Unutilised potential. The lake is Africa’s largest by surface area, and also the world’s largest tropical water body. Yet the three countries have largely ignored the tremendous opportunities at hand, in particular inland water transport.
* Infrastructure. The infrastructures to be constructed include Maritime Rescue Communication Centres in the three zones and networks for wireless communication on the lake to allow making and receiving calls. source: Monitor (Uganda)[/restrict]
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TOTAL’S MOHO NORD FIELD OFFSHORE POINTE NOIRE IS UNDERWAY

Oil is now flowing at Total’s Moho Nord deep offshore project, some 75 kilometres off the coast of Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo.
The Moho Nord project has a production capacity of …[restrict] 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Total is the main operator of the project, and is partnered with Chevron Overseas (Congo) and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo.
“Moho Nord is the biggest oil development to date in the Republic of the Congo. A showcase for Total’s deep offshore operational excellence, it consolidates our leading position in Africa,” said Arnaud Breuillac, President, Exploration & Production at Total. “Moho Nord will contribute to the reinforcement of the cash flow of the Group and to its production growth.”
According to Total, the Moho Nord field has been developed through 34 wells tied back to a new tension leg platform, the first for Total in Africa, and to Likouf, a new floating production unit. The oil is processed on Likouf and then exported by pipeline to the Djeno onshore terminal, also operated by Total.
The facilities are designed to minimise their environmental footprint. There will be no routine flaring and the all-electric design improves energy efficiency by optimising the amount of power needed to run the installations. All the produced water will be reinjected into the reservoir. sources: Green4Sea and Total.[/restrict]
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SOUTH SUDAN, EQUATORIAL GUINEA BEGIN JOINT OIL & GAS PROJECT
South Sudan and Equatorial Guinea have announced an historic partnership in Juba, South Sudan, setting out the terms for a strong bilateral relationship between the African oil and gas producers.
The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by Equatorial Guinea’s Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima and South Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth. The two nations will use the new partnership as a basis for exchanging information on policy and regulation; promoting upstream, downstream and infrastructure projects; and collaboration between the national oil companies Nilepet and GEPetrol.
“Partnership is what fuels the oil industry,” said Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth. “South Sudan is proud to share its experiences with Equatorial Guinea, and to learn from the great work of our fellow African producer. The petroleum industry is crucial to our nation’s development. This agreement signals our dedication to investing in the sector as a driver for South Sudan’s growth.”
“The sharing of resources and knowledge between African oil and gas countries is critical,” said Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima. “Going forward, Equatorial Guinea will work closely with South Sudan for the benefit of our people and our national economies. The lines of communication are open and we look forward to a deep and lasting collaboration.”
Extending its expertise in oil and gas licensing rounds; gas monetisation and eliminating flaring; investing in power plants using flared gas; local content and offering to provide training to South Sudanese personnel, Equatorial Guinea’s Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons will use its experience and resources to assist South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum in revitalising the country’s oil and gas industry. Both countries bring decades of oil production experience to the table, and South Sudan is now working to more than double oil output to 290,000 barrels per day. Equatorial Guinea is nearing the close of its EG Ronda 2016 licensing round.
The EG Ronda will conclude at the Africa Oil & Power 2017 conference in Cape Town, where South Sudanese President Salva Kiir will deliver a keynote speech and the ministers of both nations will meet investors and promote their oil and gas industries and projects. source: APO on behalf of Governments of the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
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EXPECTED SHIP ARRIVALS and SHIPS IN PORT
Port Louis – Indian Ocean gateway port
Ports & Ships publishes regularly updated SHIP MOVEMENT reports including ETAs for ports extending from West Africa to South Africa to East Africa and including Port Louis in Mauritius.
In the case of South Africa’s container ports of Durban, Ngqura, Ports Elizabeth and Cape Town links to container Stack Dates are also available.
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CRUISE NEWS AND NAVAL ACTIVITIES
QM2 in Cape Town. Picture by Ian Shiffman
We publish news about the cruise industry here in the general news section.
Naval News
Similarly you can read our regular Naval News reports and stories here in the general news section.
PIC OF THE DAY : AKADEMIK TRYOSHNIKOV

A visitor to Cape Town in the past week is the Russian polar research ship, AKADEMIK TRYOSHNIKOV (12,711-gt, built 2011) (Russian: Академик Трёшников). The flagship of the Russian polar research fleet, the vessel has just completed a three-month circumnavigation of the Antarctic continent. The ship has a length of 133.6 metres and a width of 23m (draught of 8.3 metres). She is powered by three Wärtsilä diesel engines (2 × 6,300kW, 1 × 4,200kW) driving two shafts and giving the ship a speed of 16 knots. As an icebreaker she can also travel at 2 knots in 1.1 metres of ice.
Akademik Tryoshnikov’s range is 15,000 nautical miles and she has an endurance of 45 days. In addition to a crew of 60, Akademik Tryoshnikov can carry up to 80 passengers. The vessel is designed to carry two Bölkow Bo 105 helicopters. Owned by the Russian Government, she is managed and operated by the Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research department based in St Petersburg.
The ship’s recent voyage forms part of the Swiss Polar Institute’s project known as ACE – Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition) – this being a new research facility created by the Swiss Institute of Forest, Snow and Landscape Research. During the voyage the team of scientists on board were gathering evidence that they hoped would provide compelling proof of climate change and to “prove to those politicians who have been sitting on the fence.”
Technical information and lower picture courtesy: Wikipedia Commons. Top picture courtesy: Walter Pless / Shipspotting
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