
TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS
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- First View : SKYWALKER
- TPT Chief Executive Karl Socikwa resigns from Transnet
- Panalpina closes shop in Gabon, blames energy sector downturn
- Operation Copper, SA’s counter piracy patrols off Mozambique, extended
- Transnet introduces locally designed and built locomotive
- GAC Malaysia signs master services agreement with COSL
- Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s new tanker arrives in UK
- PRESS RELEASES: Health check of on-board control networks
- Expected Ship Arrivals and Ships in Port
- Cruise News and Naval Activities
- Pics of the Day : AFRICAN OWL
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Now here’s a name for a ship, although a large bulker perhaps does not quite fit the expected image. The bulk carrier is SKYWALKER (63,056-dwt) which was seen during the recent weekend at Durban’s Maydon Wharf. 199 metres in length and 32m wide, the ship has a maximum draught of 13.3 metres. She was built in 2015 and is registered in Liberia. Skywalker is owned by Greek interests and managed by Primebulk Shipmanagement Ltd of Athens, Greece. This picture is by Ken Malcolm
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TPT CHIEF EXECUTIVE KARL SOCIKWA RESIGNS FROM TRANSNET

Karl Socikwa, the Chief Executive of Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), has resigned from the port terminal operator which he has headed since November 2009.
Mr Socikwa will be leaving the company at the end of April to …[restrict] pursue a career outside the Transnet group, of which he has been a part since 1995.
Themba Gwala has been appointed as acting Chief Executive.
Socikwa has worked for a number of divisions within Transnet including Transnet SOC, and earlier, at Transtel in which he served in several capacities including CEO. Prior to that he had a career with the attorneys, Denys Reitz.
Themba Gwala who succeeds Socikwa as acting CE also has extensive experience within Transnet, both in the port terminal division and also with Transnet Freight Rail. He is a former Durban Container Terminal Manager.[/restrict]
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PANALPINA CLOSES SHOP IN GABON, BLAMES ENERGY SECTOR DOWNTURN
The Swiss firm of Panalpina, one of the leading supply chain solution providers, has decided to close its operation in the West African state of Gabon on account of the downturn across the oil industry.
Panalpina, which in March reported …[restrict] higher volumes and reduced profit for 2016, [restrict]said it will instead continue doing business in Port Gentil and the country through an agency and has appointed the firm of Action Rapide Transit (RT) as its non-exclusive agent.
The change took effect as from 1 April. Panalpina employed about 60 staff at its Port Gentil office, which is now about to be closed down.
The ongoing downturn in the oil industry, with reduced amounts of oil being pumped and sold, will most likely see more oil-related firms in West Africa following suit. Shell is reported to have recently sold a significant part of its assets in Gabon and other firms may follow in the footsteps of Panalpina and Shell.[/restrict]
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OPERATION COPPER, SA’S COUNTER-PIRACY PATROLS OFF MOZAMBIQUE, EXTENDED

The South African Government has announced that Operation Copper, which takes the form of the navy patrolling in the Mozambique Channel, has been extended by a further 12 months as from 1 April 2017.
The Presidency announced this week that President Jacob Zuma has extended the employment of members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in terms of …[restrict] section 201(2)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,1996.
The SANDF members are deployed for service in fulfilment of the international obligations of the Republic of South Africa towards the SADC maritime security in the Mozambique Channel.
The Presidency said about 200 members of the SANDF are employed at a time to monitor and deter piracy activities along the Southern African Coast of the Indian Ocean.
“They will continue monitoring and deterring piracy activities along the Southern African Coast of the Indian Ocean. The employment has been extended for the period 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.”
One of the navy’s biggest ships, the combat support ship SAS Drakensberg returned to Durban last week, en route to Simon’s Town. The ship experienced propulsion troubles while on deployment, which necessitated the vessel returning previously to the Durban Naval Base on Salisbury Island to undertake repairs (this report was disputed by the navy). It is likwely that her place on this next deployment will be taken by one of the three former missile strike craft, which have been converted into fast offshore patrol boats and which have carried out successful three-month patrols previously.

In the early years of Operation Copper, aircraft of the SA Air Force also participated in counter piracy work by maintaining aerial patrols over the channel using aircraft based at Pemba, which is in the far north of Mozambique facing into the northern entrance to the channel. However, in November 2015 the Air Force withdrew its aircraft, leaving the counter-piracy patrols solely in the hands of the navy.
Since then it is believed that the Air Force has made use of their C-130BZ Hercules aircraft based at Air Force Base Waterkloof to overfly Mozambique and conduct patrols in the Mozambique Channel, after using either Maputo or Pemba for refueling.[/restrict]
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TRANSNET INTRODUCES LOCALLY DESIGNED AND BUILT LOCOMOTIVE

Transnet yesterday officially launched what it claims is the first ever diesel-electric locomotive which has been designed, engineered and manufactured in South Africa.
The locomotive, which will become available to serve the African continent, is specifically customised to African conditions and is said to be suitable for use on branch lines and in shunting yards.
Speaking on Tuesday in Pretoria during the launch of the Trans Africa Locomotive, …[restrict] President Zuma said the completion of the locomotive is a significant technological achievement by Transnet and the country.
“We appreciate Transnet’s drive to become the leading provider of logistics services in sub-Saharan Africa. We must continue working hard to develop infrastructure that promotes trade among African countries and which make it easier for us to visit one another and also boost economic growth and development.
“The Trans-African Locomotive project (TAL2001) has provided an opportunity for Transnet to grow and diversify its business,” he said.
According to the President, the locomotive is also the perfect fit for most of the main lines in the SADC region, where infrastructure prevents the use of heavier locomotives.
Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown, said they were very proud of the Trans African locomotive, adding that it is the first born and bred African locomotive.
“Those of us at the shareholder ministry, together with the Transnet board and Transnet management are continually considering new initiatives and innovations to reshape the core of the Transnet business,” the Minister said.
Transnet designed the original underframe, superstructure, bogies, body and locomotive control system to withstand the African environment and it’s needs-specific to the continent. The engine unit was provided by Rolls-Royce.
In making the claim that this is the first “born and bred African locomotive”, Transnet and the Minister are ignoring history and the achievements of earlier railway engineers who designed and built steam locomotives locally – admittedly not in production lines but as one-offs but they cannot be ignored. Other steam locomotives were designed by the then SAR&H (now Transnet) but built in the giant locomotive workshops of Europe.[/restrict]
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GAC MALAYSIA SIGNS MASTER SERVCIES AGREEMENT WITH COSL

China Oilfield Services Limited (COSL) has appointed GAC Malaysia to provide a range of on- and offshore support services in Malaysia, as well as to render support as required further afield in South East Asia and worldwide.
Under the master services agreement signed by the two companies, GAC will provide rig lay-up services, crew management, warehousing, freight, customs brokerage, marine charter and agency services to COSL.
Matthew Trovato, GAC’s Labuan Branch Manager says: “We have established a robust relationship with COSL over the past few months. I am positive that this partnership will continue to grow and become stronger, as we embark on collaboration opportunities in other parts of the world.”
Mou Jun, Procurement Manager of COSL says GAC’s strong commitment to business ethics and HSSE (Health, Safety, Security and the Environment) resonates well with COSL’s value of placing high importance on the health and safety of all involved. “We are pleased to have GAC as our logistics partner and are confident that the two companies can leverage our close cooperation and strong teamwork to achieve greater efficiency. I look forward to bringing our partnership to the next level.”
Work under the new contract is already underway. The 11-strong team from GAC’s Labuan office worked with the Oil & Gas Projects Department in Kuala Lumpur led by Key Account Manager Rahul Bhoj 36 hours round-the-clock to complete the first major backload and loadout job, which included the chartering of an offshore support vessel and project cargo moves.
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ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY’S NEW TANKER ARRIVES IN UK

On 3 March the (UK) Ministry of Defence announced that the first of the newest support ships for the Royal Navy, RFA TIDESPRING, had arrived in Cornwall for customisation, helping to sustain 300 UK jobs.
The 39,000-tonne tanker, which can carry up to 19,000 cubic metres of fuel and 1,300 cubic metres of fresh water, will join the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, a civilian-manned fleet which provides support for warships, helping the Royal Navy to maintain its global operations around the clock, throughout the year.
Tidespring is the first of a fleet of four Tide Class tankers which will …[restrict] all be taken through customisation in Falmouth. The Class is being built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering to a design provided by UK company BMT Defence Services.
Tidespring will now undergo an intense programme of work at the A&P shipyard, and is expected to enter service before the end of the year. The new Tide Class tankers will provide key support to the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers when they come into service, alongside the wider fleet.
The arrival is a significant milestone in 2017, the Year of the Navy, which will also see the debut in Portsmouth of the first of the Queen Elizabeth-Class aircraft carriers, the start of construction for the fleet of new Type 26 Frigates and the opening of the first permanent Royal Navy base east of Suez in more than half a century.
Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said: “RFA Tidespring’s UK arrival is a key milestone in 2017, the Year of the Royal Navy, which will also see the MOD develop world-class ships and submarines in support of Britain’s role as a leading naval power. Backed by a rising Defence budget, the delivery of the Tide Class tankers is a crucial element of the Government’s £178 billion plan to ensure our armed forces have the equipment they need.”
Customisation work is helping to support around 300 jobs at A&P Falmouth. The UK work content in the wider Tide Class programme is worth around £150 million, sustaining further jobs at 27 UK-based companies. This project is being delivered well within budget by the MOD, it is understood.
Systems to be installed in Falmouth include the communications equipment, self-defence weapons and armour needed to allow the ship to operate in the most challenging environments.
Vice-Admiral Simon Lister, who led procurement of the Tide Class at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), added: “RFA Tidespring will be a familiar and reassuring presence for Royal Navy ships as they undertake missions in defence of the UK’s interest. The continued successful delivery of the Tide Class programme, meeting all requirements and under budget stands as a testament to the excellent working relationships which DE&S has built with suppliers in the UK and around the world.”
The Tide Class has a flight deck able to accommodate the large Chinook helicopter and offer significant improvements over previous RFA tankers such as double hulls and greater environmental protection measures.
The original Tide Class fleet tankers served in the RFA from 1954 until 1991, operating worldwide in support of numerous operations and exercises. Developed using the lessons of the Pacific Campaign in the Second World War, these versatile ships were the first purpose-designed replenishment tankers for the RFA.[/restrict]
Edited by Paul Ridgway
London
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CMM and DNV GL undertake first class health check of on-board control networks

Classification society DNV GL has teamed up with innovative Greek owner Consolidated Marine Management (CMM) for a test on the health of a control and communication network on board seagoing vessels.
The pilot project, conducted on one of CMM’s state-of-the-art chemical tankers, investigated exactly what it takes to carry out a successful test of a vessel’s communication and control systems, in order to strengthen their overall robustness and resilience.
“On-board communication networks have become …[restrict] the ‘nervous system’ of vessels’ integrated machinery,” says Mate J. Csorba, Principal Specialist, Marine Cybernetics Advisory DNV GL – Maritime. “A growing share of disruptions and down time in offshore operations can now be traced back to problems with networked equipment.”

The pilot project on board CMM’s vessel consisted of 46 tests covering Ethernet-based networks (control systems and auxiliary systems), CAN-bus connectivity (sensors and the alarm system), and a selection of DNV GL class rules addressing on-board communication networks. In practice this translated into a focus on the alarm monitoring system, the ballast water treatment system, the main engine shaft power and performance monitoring system, the main engine control and monitoring System, and auxiliary networks.
“Having a comprehensive overview of the ‘health’ of the network on board will allow owners to schedule preventive measures at convenient times, enable better maintenance planning and perhaps even result in extended lifespan of aging assets,” says Csorba.
You can read the complete article on this pilot project HERE[/restrict]
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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.
You can access this information, including the list of ports covered, by going HERE remember to use your BACKSPACE to return to this page.
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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.

The bulker AFRICAN OWL (34,370-dwt) arrives in Durban port to load cargo. The dry bulk ship was built in 2016 and has an overall length of 180 metres and a beam of 30m. African Owl is owned by Japanese interests but is chartered, managed and operated by MUR Shipping BV of Amsterdam, which has as its principal shareholder, Macsteel International Holdings BV.
Macsteel International Holdings is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal South Africa Ltd (AMSA) and Macsteel Global S.A.R.L BV (Luxemburg) (“Macsteel”). Macsteel is a global trading and distribution organisation, while ArcelorMittal is South Africa’s largest steel producer.
The shipping line has up to 100 owned and time chartered ships in its service, many of them whose names are prefaced by the word ‘African’ as with the ship above. The company specialises in dry bulk cargo which frequently includes steel.
This picture is by Keith Betts
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
– Max Ehrmann ‘Desiderata’
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