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TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS

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FIRST VIEW: SAN GRANIT

trawler San Granit in Lyttelton harbour Picture by Alan Calvert
San Granit. Picture: Alan Calvert

Sanford Fishing’s fishing vessel SAN GRANIT seen at berth in the port of Lyttelton, New Zealand. Acquired last year from Norway’s Halstensen Holdings for an amount believed to be $25 million, the trawler was delivered to New Zealand late last year and is now homeported at Timaru.

Her acquisition brings the New Zealand fleet to 11 factory trawlers and is designed to increase fishing catchments of squid, hoki, and southern blue whiting off the coast of Timaru, and help Sanford to diversify through increased stock processing flexibility.

San Granit is 67 metres long and 14m wide, weighs 2478 tonnes and has a 4525 horse power engine. She can freeze 80 tonnes of finished product in 24 hours and store 550 tonnes of product on board, ready for export. A spokesman for Sanford said that prior to San Granit’s arrival the existing fleet was unable to reach its catchment quota for some fish species, and the new ship would help to support that goal.

This picture is by Alan Calvert

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CMA CGM LAUNCHES SECOND MIDAS SERVICE, MIDAS 2

port rotation for CMA CGM's Midas 1 service
Midas 1

French shipping ine CMA CGM has launched a second Midas service linking India with Africa to provide better transit times and a wider coverage of ports.

With effect from today, 23 May 2017 a second Midas service, known as Midas 2, will connect India, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East and Southern and Western Africa.

The CMA CGM Group is betting on the…[restrict] economic dynamism of both India and the countries of Africa and intends to benefit from the economic growth of the two regions. After announcing a strategic investment in the port of Mundra in India last month, CMA CGM now offers its customers a new service to Africa to accompany its classic Midas service:

Midas 1 : will service West Africa Range South and Centre from India and the Middle East. Two calls in South Africa have been inserted on the way back in order to offer CMA CGM’s Reefer customers among the fastest transit times to the Middle East. This service will include 10 vessels of 4,250 TEUs each with over 600 plugs for reefers on a 70-day rotation.

Midas 2 : will service the Indian Ocean and South Africa from India and the Middle East in a shortened 42-day rotation. Six ships of 2,500 TEUs will be deployed on this service. A Northbound and a Southbound calls are planned at Pointe des Galets in La Réunion where all ships will be operated by SAMR, a subsidiary of the CMA CGM Group.

The Loop 1 of the Midas service will call in the CT4 terminal of the port of Mundra, which is now operated by CMA CGM and its Indian partner.

“The duplication of the Midas service allows us to improve both our service offering with competitive transit times and a greater capacity as well as the access to new markets between South Africa and the Indian Ocean,” says Bertrand Simion
CMA CGM’s Director of Africa Lines.

These two new services will be operated with two partners, through a VSA (Vessel Sharing Agreement) that will allow the deploying of 16 ships on 21 ports of call on both services.

port rotation for CMA CGM's Midas 2 service

Midas 2[/restrict]

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TENDER FOR NEW LAKE VICTORIA VESSEL TO BE OPENED ON 12 JUNE

mv Victoria on Lake Victoria
mv Victoria

The tender for the construction and supply of a new lake vessel to operate between the Lake Victoria ports of Mwanza and Bukoba will be opened on 12 June 2017. Benedict Hamisi, the acting General Manager of Marine Services Company Ltd (MSCL) said at the weekend that the new vessel will improve marine transportation on Africa’s biggest lake.

Hamisi said the opening of the tenders would be a decisive step in implementing a pledge made by President John Magafuli, when he was still a candidate during the 2015 General Election campaign.

He reminded people that Dr Magafuli had pledged that, if victorious, he would…[restrict] facilitate the purchase of a new vessel with a capacity of 1,200 passengers.

Liemba on Lake Tanganyika
mv Liemba on Lake Tanganyika, to undergo refurbishment

Hamisi said that apart from the planned purchase of a new vessel, the government intended investing heavily in the rehabilitation of Mv Victoria, Mv Butiama and Mv Liemba, to improve services in Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika. He hinted that the funds for this would be included in the 2017/18 national budget.

Meanwhile, the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Mr John Mongela, on Sunday led a 21st remembrance ceremony for the nearly 1,000 passengers who perished when Mv Bukoba sank near Mwanza Port in 1996.

The commemoration was held at Igoma cemetery on the outskirts of the Rock City where some of the deceased persons were buried.

Mongela said that although the tragic event was beginning to recede into history, it had produced vital lessons for the authorities to grasp in order to avoid similar tragedies in future.

One of these, he said, was the establishment of the Surface and Marine Transportation Authority (SUMATRA) which is charged with ensuring that maritime transportation was safe and secure for all.

“We all have the responsibility of making sure that this country remains a safer place to live in, as we recall tragedies like the one that occurred on Lake Victoria 21 years ago, and as the government works hard to restore and stabilise transportation there,” he said.

One of the survivors, Mr Cleophace Herman, made an impassioned plea against deployment of old and dilapidated vessels in the country’s lakes, and called for stiff penalties against violators, since negligence threatened the lives of passengers. source: Tanzania Daily News (Dar es Salaam)[/restrict]

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KENYA & UGANDA TO REBUILD PORTS WHILE DILLY-DALLYING OVER SGR RAILWAY

mv Sengerema
Sengerema, a typical Lake Victoria ferry

Kenya and Uganda have given indications that they intend rebuilding ports on Lake Victoria in anticipation of a return to shipping cargo and passengers across the lake.

One of the real possibilities is that the lakeside town of Kisumu may end up being the terminus for the standard gauge railway (SGR) extending from Mombasa which has so far reached Nairobi.

The original intention was to take the railway to…[restrict] Kisumu and also to the Ugandan border at Malaba via Naivasha, but this now appears as though it might not take place. Uganda has yet to commit to going ahead with its version of the SGR from Kampala to Malaba, a distance of just 273 miles, and may instead turn, at least in the short term, to using the lake for transport and then linking with another SGR that is planned from the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam which will reach the southern port of Mwanza.

EAC
East African states

One of the aims for the Tanzanian SGR is to extend also to Tanzania’s border with Rwanda – this is in response to Rwanda having in April 2016 shown its preference for the line south to Dar es Salaam after it realised that Uganda was not prioritising the Kampala-Kigali connection that would have provided it access to the SGR line to Mombasa.

The reason why Uganda appears hesitant in committing to building a new line to the Kenyan border at Malaba is not certain. Uganda’s finance minister is on record saying that Kenya must first commit to building the SGR as far as the border with Uganda, as China’s Exim Bank won’t make any loans available without that commitment. “They have said they won’t fund a white elephant,” he said.

Kenya on the other hand appears wary of taking out further loans to finance an expensive railway. Kenya also has issues with why the SGR in Kenya is costing far in excess of what the Ugandan section would cost, per kilometre.

Regardless of the outcome of this debate, a new enthusiasm for lake transport is emerging. Tanzania is expected to appoint a contractor to build a new vessel for the route from Mwanza to Bukoba on the west side of the lake (see story above) as well as refurbishing existing vessels on both Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika. Kenya may follow suit to provide a shipping service not only to its own lakeside towns but to Port Bell in Uganda as well.

From Kenya’s perspective, at least it has choices. “The decision has not been reached but we have a number of options at our disposal,” said Kenya’s Transport Secretary James Macharia. “We can decide to end the SGR at Naivasha (north-west of Nairobi) or Kisumu but it will still be a viable venture due to the presence of Lake Victoria.”

Lots of ‘its and buts’ before anything definite is resolved, but the outlook for renewed shipping activity on Africa’s biggest and greatest lake is looking promising.[/restrict]

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TAKORADI’S CONTAINER TERMINAL OPENS FOR BUSINESS

Port of Takoradi, Ghana
Takoradi, from a breakbulk and bulk port, which now welcomes containers

The Port of Takoradi in Ghana is not generally known as a container port, but like almost every port in the world, it faces having to handle containers at some point.

Takoradi Container Terminal Limited (TACOTEL) is a private off-dock container terminal that is about a six minute drive from the port itself, so it is not a conventional terminal found within the port and with its own berth or berths – more of what in South Africa might be referred to as a large container depot. With an area of 8,700m² and a stack capacity for 7,500 TEUs the terminal’s main function is going to be the destuffing (devanning) or stuffing of containers arriving at the port.

In addition to catering for the oil industry that is making increasing use of Takoradi, the terminal has options for the domestic markets as well as for landlocked markets of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.

The terminal has been equipped with necessary modern container handling equipment such as fork lifts, reach stackers as well as a canteen to cater for port clients arriving at the terminal.

Terminal Manager for TACOTEL Limited, Richmond Agyei Appiah says the facility has offices for all state agencies necessary for the smooth clearance of cargoes like Customs, Ghana Standards Authority, Food and Drugs Authority, Plant Quarantine, BNI, National Security, Police etc.

According to Peter Amoo-Bediako, Public Affairs & Marketing Manager of Takoradi Port, the coming into operation of TACOTEL will not only attract or increase traffic through the port but will make clearance through the port very easy. source: GPHA

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COMMONWEALTH AFRICAN COUNTRIES TO DISCUSS PRIORITIES FOR REVIVING WORLD TRADE

African map puzzle
map courtesy: Commonwealth

Amid an unprecedented global trade slowdown, African policy-makers, negotiators and trade analysts will meet this week (25-26 May) in Mauritius to discuss priorities for reviving world trade and strengthening their trading capacity.

Since 2014, world trade has declined by more than US$3 trillion with Sub-Saharan Africa’s combined exports falling by about 40 per cent – from US$403 billion to less than US$250 billion.

Participants will discuss the most pressing trade and development challenges for…[restrict] Commonwealth African member states, in the light of unfavourable global economic and trade patterns, rising protectionism and growing discontent about globalisation.

The meeting will also be an opportunity for reviewing the current issues for multilateral trade negotiations, especially since the World Trade Organization is hosting its 11th ministerial conference in Buenos Aires in December.

The regional consultation will take into consideration the outcomes of the Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ meeting, held in March this year in London, particularly to explore avenues through which intra-Commonwealth trade and investment opportunities can be enhanced.

The meeting will also provide a platform for African member states to assess various trade policy options, including UK-Africa trade relations post Brexit, advancing African integration through the Continental Free Trade Agreement, and priority issues for the upcoming Global Review of Aid for Trade in July.

The Commonwealth Secretariat will launch its new Handbook on Regional Integration in Africa: Towards Agenda 2063 in Mauritius. The handbook provides a unique resource on current dynamics, opportunities, challenges and policy options for Africa’s regional integration agenda. Agenda 2063 is the African Union’s strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over 50 years.

Past and present trade negotiators will also convene to finalise a proposal to establish an informal Commonwealth African Trade Negotiators Network.

Brendan Vickers, Economic Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat said: “African countries are engaged in a range of global, regional and bilateral negotiations on trade and trade-related issues. However, one of the major challenges confronting Africa is the capacity to undertake trade negotiations, although many experienced negotiators from Africa are willing to help.

“This network aims to bring these negotiators together and provide a ‘think tank’ for Africa for future trade negotiations. Drawing on the collective experience, knowledge and wisdom of present and past trade negotiators, the network will help set out strategic priorities for Africa’s current and future trade agenda, assess opportunities and challenges, brainstorm particular negotiating and policy issues, and explore ways to unlock any impasse in some of the negotiations.”

The meeting is being organised in partnership with the government of Mauritius. It will be opened by Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade.[/restrict]

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ANOTHER SHIP-CRANE COLLISION IN DURBAN HARBOUR

MSC Benedetta. Shipspotting image
MSC Benedetta. Picture courtesy Shipspotting

There has been another mishap involving a ship under pilotage in the Port of Durban.

The 13,102-TEU capacity container ship MSC BENEDETTA (140,570-dwt, built 2011) was coming alongside at berth 200 at the Durban Container Terminal and the ship’s bridge wing struck the adjacent ship-to-shore gantry crane.

“At approximately 22H03 on…[restrict] the 20 May 2017, MSC Bernadetta vessel coming portside to berth 200 at DCT Pier 2 came into contact with a ship to shore crane and as such resulted in damage to the loader including the bridge wing of the vessel,” said Moshe Motlohi, Durban Port Manager.

He said the port authority was conducting preliminary investigations into the matter which will be made available to relevant stakeholders once completed.

“Port operations have not been affected by the incident,” he said.

On Sunday, 30 April the bulk carrier Julian entered port to go alongside at Bulk Connections which is on the Bluff. The ship struck the quayside and a part of the vessel also hit the adjacent ship loader, which was knocked back off its foundation onto a conveyor gallery, causing extensive damage. The ship appeared to have only superficial damage to the hull.[/restrict]

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JOHN LLOYD APPOINTED AS NAUTICAL INSTITUTE CEO

new Nautical Institute chief executive, John Lloyd
Captain John Lloyd

At last week’s Nautical Institute London Command Seminar held at Trinity House on 17 / 18 May Philip Wake retired after 14 years in the post as CEO and was succeeded by Captain John Lloyd.

Speaking at Trinity House, at the third of the Institute’s 2017 command seminar series, Captain Lloyd said: “I am delighted to be leading the next phase of development at The Nautical Institute, at a time…[restrict] of great change for our industry. Now more than ever it is important that the Institute champions best practice and professionalism and promotes a culture of safety first.”

In his previous role as Chief Operating Officer, Lloyd had overall responsibility for the Institute’s specialised training services, including the industry-standard Dynamic Positioning Operator (DPO) accreditation and certification scheme.

Lloyd’s 16-year seagoing career began in 1975, gaining command in 1987 and spending two years as a marine pilot at Walvis Bay.

His extensive experience in maritime education has included senior positions at Warsash Maritime Academy and Flagship Training in the UK, as CEO of Vanuatu Maritime College and Professor of Maritime Training at the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania.

As CEO of The Nautical Institute, Captain Lloyd will be managing the resources of an organisation that has 7,000 members and over 50 branches around the world. He has been a member of the Institute for 30 years.

The Nautical Institute is an international representative body for maritime professionals involved in the control of seagoing ships. It provides a wide range of services to enhance the professional standing and knowledge of members who are drawn from all sectors of the maritime world.[/restrict]

Paul Ridgway
London

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PRESS RELEASES

Send your Press Releases here info@africaports.co.za and marked PRESS RELEASE. Provided they are considered appropriate to our readers we will either turn them into a story, or publish them here.

THE NAUTICAL INSTITUTE LAUNCHES MARITIME EVIDENCE GUIDELINES

It is rare for a book to sell out before publication, but demand for The Nautical Institute’s latest book, Guidelines for Collecting Maritime Evidence, has been so strong that it has had to be reprinted before its official launch today.

This practical guide is intended for everyone at sea and on shore – Master, crew and managers – who might need to handle material after a maritime incident that could be used as evidence for later legal proceedings, insurance claims etc. It is an essential tool that will remove much of the uncertainty from the task and will reduce the risk of seafarer criminalisation.

The book is a completely revised edition of NI’s popular The Mariner’s Role in Collecting Evidence. The scope has been broadened and the content updated to reflect the growing importance of electronic evidence. A state safety inspector, Master, insurer, surveyor, lawyer and an arbitrator each describe evidence collection from their own point of view, explaining what material needs to be gathered and how it will be used. The book is accompanied by a separate Handbook that should be kept on board as a quick reference guide.

As NI President Captain Duke Snider FNI said at the launch, “We all hope that we are not faced with a casualty, but I doubt if there is a shipping professional who has managed to go through their entire service without being involved in some form of accident.”

Duke added: “This book should be required reading for all officers.”

front cover
Guidelines for Collecting Maritime Evidence

Guidelines for Collecting Maritime Evidence was launched at the Institute’s Command Seminar at Trinity House, London. The packed programme focused on the theme of Navigation Accidents and their Causes, with presentations covering a wide range of subjects from Mentoring, Navigation Assessments and Bridge Teamwork to Ice Navigators and New Mindsets.

The second day of the seminar was graced by the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. In her keynote address, opening this morning’s session, The Princess Royal highlighted the importance of training and seafarer welfare. The Nautical Institute has a key role to play in both these areas, she said. “We are looking not just to learn from the examples of the past, but also to see how technology, knowledge and the skills base will be able to prevent those accidents in the future.”

One of key issues is how you get the information that is gathered to the next generation, she added. This is something that The Nautical Institute is tackling through its promotion of mentoring.

All the Command Seminars offer excellent opportunities for debate, discussion and networking with maritime professionals. The next event takes place in Cork, Ireland, on 12 13 October, before concluding in Limassol, Cyprus, on 3 November.

More details about all these events can be found on our website at: www.nautinst.org/Command-2017

To purchase your copy of Guidelines for Collecting Maritime Evidence (accompanied by The Mariner’s Role in Collecting Evidence – Handbook) visit www.nautinst.org/pubs – price: £45; ISBN: 978 1 906915 54 4.

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GENERAL NEWS REPORTS – UPDATED THROUGH THE DAY

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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.

PICS OF THE DAY : JPS ELLI and tug UTHUKELA

JS Elli and tug Uthukela. Pictures: Ken Malcolm

tug UTHUKELA by Ken Malcolm

The bulker JPS ELLI (57,523-dwt) seen departing from Durban, with the harbour tug UTHUKELA alongside in an unusual role – that of pilot tug. One has to assume that neither the helicopter nor the Durban pilot boat were available. The Panamanian-flagged JPS Elli, which is owned by Greek interests and managed by Samartzis Maritime Enterprises, was launched into service in 2016 at the Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu) Inc shipyard where she was their 222nd newbuild. Since then at least another nine vessels have followed from this Balamban, Philippines shipyard, with five more ships lined up for launching before mid June this year. These pictures are by Ken Malcolm

 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.”
― Max Ehrmann ‘Desiderata’

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