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TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS

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FIRST VIEW: HMS PROTECTOR

HMS Protector. Picture: Ian Shiffman, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
HMS Protector. Picture: Ian Shiffman

The Royal Navy ice-patrol research ship HMS PROTECTOR recently returned to Cape Town for a stopover. The survey ship has been operating in the South Atlantic and Southern Ocean regions and earlier this year spent some time on layby in Cape Town harbour. The Cape port is about to receive several other important naval visitors on 1 September when three Chinese naval ships arrive on a scheduled visit. They are the type 054A guided missile frigate YUNCHENG, the type 052D destroyer HEFEI, and the replenishment support ship LUOMA LAKE. The three ships are returning from the Baltic Sea where they took part in a massive naval parade and exercise with the Russian Navy. This picture is by Ian Shiffman

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SAMSA AND MSC CRUISES SEND OFF 97 YOUTH TO START MARITIME CAREERS

Port St Johns and the Umzimvubu River, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Port St Johns and the Umzimvubu River

SAMSA youth employment program extends to all provinces

It was a big day in the lives of almost a hundred young South Africans yesterday when they were officially sent off to join the maritime industry by working on board MSC Cruise ships across the world (see our report of yesterday).

And adding to the exciting and breaking news, MSC Cruises announced that it will be opening a crewing school for South Africans in Durban next year. This was revealed at a function to wish the young people well which was held in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape.

The programme involving the 97 youth falls under the auspices of SAMSA’s Maritime Youth Development Program.

SAMSA’s Sizwe Nkukwana said the target was to place 1000-2000 youth a year over the next three years.

The public-private partnership, championed by the South African Maritime Safety Authority is with the Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape, which saw 97 youths out of a total 128 completing specialised training in basic marine skills over the last two months.

The success of the program – which provides employment potential for matriculated youth under 25 in the leisure cruise sector – has promoted SAMSA to introduce the program to other provinces.

During the send-off yesterday Eastern Cape Premier, Phumulo Masaulle announced that the province will continue to commit to the MYDP program, focusing on training a further 350 youth in 2018, and expanding the recruits from a wider Eastern Cape audience.

Masaulle added those newly recruited seafarers would return to their homes with ‘excellence and pride’.

“We are committed to continuing this relationship next year,” he added.

Port St Johns Harbour

Masaulle said the province was working with the Department of Public Works on a program called the “Small Harbour Development Program” to develop a Port St Johns harbour. Port St Johns has been earmarked as a national maritime node by Operation Phakisa, a fast track government program to accelerate development and jobs.

This is part of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission.

“Accelerating that will really transform the economic life in this area. Not only benefiting tourism and the other fishing activities as part of Operation Phakisa. It is something that we truly appreciate and will work harder to make it happen.”

King Ndamase Ndamase, the leader of the Amapondo dressed the Premier in traditional garb as a sign of appreciation for assisting the many youth who are jobless in the region.

Upriver and site of the original harbour quays, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Upriver and site of the original harbour quays

SAMSA Chief Operating Officer Sobantu Tilayi said the maritime sector is poised to create South Africa’s maritime economic sector contributes about R54-billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as recorded in 2013. Projections currently indicates it would rise rapidly to R177-billion in 2033.

He said the sector was projected to generate between 800,000 and 1 million jobs by 2033. “The 2013 projections reflect that marine tourism is likely to be the second largest subsector contributor to South Africa’s GDP by 2033. The MYDP seeks to attract the youth to the maritime sector while making an immediate positive impact on their lives and their communities in a practical way.”

He said the newly employed youth would repatriate lucrative salaries as these were international jobs paying in US dollars.

“These are permanent jobs. The youth would have an opportunity to work outside the country and have new experiences. They will be joining ships in the Americas, Europe and Asia. This would become an exciting industry to get into.

 

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GRINDROD PLANS AN OFFSHORE LISTING OF SHIPPING BUSINESS

IVS Orchard, by Keith Betts - appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
IVS Orchard. Grindrod planning offshore listing for shipping business. Picture: Keith Betts

Grindrod’s results reflect improved commodity markets

Durban, 23 August 2017: Grindrod released its interim results yesterday for the period ending 30 June 2017.

Stronger commodity markets impacted positively on the EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) of R640.4 million inclusive of joint ventures, and excluding rail assembly businesses, compared to the R246.4 million of the prior year comparative period.

The closure of the Rail assembly businesses held for sale resulted in losses and impairments of R255 million and consequently a headline loss of R128.9 million for the 6 month period ending 30 June 2017. This is a 66% improvement compared to the prior year comparative period headline loss of R381 million.

Ports & Terminals profitability has been…[restrict] strong. On the back of firm commodity markets, volumes handled in the dry-bulk terminals increased by 62 % compared to the prior year comparative period. Capacity in the Matola and Richards Bay dry-bulk terminals is fully contracted for the remainder of the year.

Following dredging of the Maputo Port Channel and dredging of Terminal Da Carvão de Matola (TCM) berth pocket and TCM’s quay extension, fully laden Panamax vessels are now handled in the Port of Maputo and at TCM, significantly increasing the Port’s capacity.

The Logistics business showed a good turnaround and is looking forward to an improved outlook in South Africa.

Dry-bulk shipping rates have increased due to steadily increasing dry-bulk commodity demand, continued vessel scrapping and a slow-down in newbuilding deliveries. This has resulted in the Shipping Division recovering to above a cash breakeven level. This is despite the tanker market remaining depressed.

Grindrod Shipping banner, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news

Financial Services continues to grow profits and generate a good return on capital. There is ongoing engagement with the relevant parties on the SASSA grant payment contract and Grindrod is working with all parties to help find a solution for the Bank and South Africa in general.

The Grindrod Board has for many years reiterated the intention to separate the Shipping business from the balance of the group as it does not believe that the value of the Shipping business is fairly reflected in the Grindrod share price.

“We have appointed professional advisors in and outside of South Africa in the fields of shipping, legal and financial to work with us on the unbundling of the Shipping business onto an international exchange that supports shipping groups with an inward listing into South Africa,” said Mike Hankinson, Executive Chairman Grindrod. “The process is well progressed and we are planning to complete the process in the first half of 2018.”

With the focus on the Freight and Financial Services businesses, the stronger mineral commodity exports, improved shipping markets and the planned offshore listing of the Shipping Division, Grindrod says it is looking forward to an exciting second half of the year.[/restrict]

 

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BURGAN CAPE TOWN’S FUEL STORAGE FACILITY OPENS

The first liquid bulk vessel discharged product at the Burgan Cape Terminal at the Port of Cape Town during the first week of July 2017, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
The first liquid bulk vessel discharged product at the Burgan Cape Terminal at the Port of Cape Town during the first week of July 2017.

The Port of Cape Town’s new fuel storage facility operated by black-empowered Burgan Cape Terminals, is now fully operational, having received its pilot consignment of diesel aboard the tanker MARLIN AMMOLITE in the first week of July 2017.

Located on approximately 37,273 square metres of land at the port’s Eastern Mole, the new fuel storage and distribution facility for cleaner fuels is poised to assist with security of fuel supply in the region.

Construction began…[restrict] in late 2015 after Transnet National Ports Authority awarded Burgan Cape Terminals a 24-year lease to develop a new independent fuel storage, distribution and loading facility. Burgan Cape Terminals was identified as the preferred bidder. It is owned by Netherlands firm VTTI and black economic empowerment companies Thebe Investment Corporation and Jicaro.

“With an estimated investment of R 890 million, the awarding of this contract to a 30% black owned company in partnership with an international operator, speaks strongly to Transnet’s commitment to the Market Demand Strategy (MDS) and the vision of the Operation Phakisa programme of creating capacity ahead of demand and unlocking South Africa’s ocean economy,” said Cape Town Port Manager Mpumi Dweba-Kwetana.

Such partnerships between the Port Authority and the private sector emanate from Section 56 of the National Ports Act. This mandates TNPA as landlord and ports master planner, to contract with private terminal operators to design, construct, rehabilitate, develop, finance, maintain and operate port terminals or facilities.

Boasting a total capacity of 121,908m³ from 12 tanks, the terminal’s product portfolio includes diesel, petrol, FAME (fatty acid methyl esters) and ethanol for blending and jet fuel.

Energy is recognised as one of the key commodities in driving economic growth. The South African government has included the Burgan Cape Terminal as a strategic project under Operation Phakisa. The terminal has accelerated transformation of the sector with its inclusion of emerging black-owned, independent fuel suppliers.[/restrict]

 

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FEATURE: BELT & ROAD WON’T SOLVE AFRICA’S PROBLEMS, BUT WILL EASE OTHER MORE SERIOUS ISSUES

China's Silk Roads, map: VOA. Appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
map: VOA

While African economic growth has been slowing, there is ample evidence to show there are countervailing forces – mostly from China – that are working to reverse these unfortunate trends and re-accelerate development once again, reports a feature published in www.shippinggazette.com

After growing five per cent from 2010 to 2014 and declining to 3.2 per cent in 2015, Sub-Saharan Africa’s GDP growth fell to 1.3 per cent last year, its lowest level in two decades.

Yet two forces, says experts, are likely to…[restrict] propel Africa’s economic forces heading north once again. One is the role of private equity, says Proshare, Nigeria’s “premier financial, business and economic information hub”. The other, the greater one, is China’s “Belt and Road” initiative, according to Kenyan government officials.

Silk Road, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news

One reason Kenyans are so keen is because Belt and Road, alternately called “One Belt One Road” or OBOR for short, makes Kenya the entrépot to the African continent.

Kenya stands to gain first, if not the most, from China’s US$148 billion budget for the OBOR, also called the “Silk Road”, some of which will be spent on infrastructure projects.

The hopes of Kenya were raised when Chinese President Xi Jinping announced that his country put together a sum sufficiently large to meet the financial demands of the world’s most ambitious infrastructure project.

By the time the project is complete, it is expected that an outlay of $4 trillion will be spent to revive the ancient Silk Road that linked Asia and Europe is expected.

Free market forces are expected to play a role too. Private equity activity in Africa will inject billions of sustainable investment over the next five years with deals growing from a low base equivalent to 0.18 per cent of Africa’s GDP in 2016, says Nigeria’s Proshare, a financial research house.

According to the research, every 0.01 per cent increase will mean $200 million more investment and could easily reach $1.1 billion over the next five years. The report also reveals a number of trends about investment in Africa.

Private equity investors in Africa tend to be distinct from other parts of the world, said the paper, entitled “A growth engine: Trends and outcomes of private equity in Africa”.

African PE tends to hold investments for longer than in developed markets and using less debt and improve corporate strategy and governance. Furthermore, it invests more in growth and job-creation, often scaling small businesses to a size viable for trade buyers.

China One Belt, One Road map appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
China One Belt, One Road

But the big spenders are in the public sector, and analysts say China’s Belt and Road’s impact could be sizable in Kenya and all over East Africa, where the focus on a supporting Maritime Silk Road that touches the Indian Ocean region is spurring investment from Beijing to facilitate East-West trade.

Such activities will complement strong Chinese trade ties with Nigeria, Angola and South Africa. As long ago as 2009, China surpassed the US as Africa’s biggest trading partner. Chinese companies are already active on the continent, where over a million Chinese workers and immigrants live. State-related entities and businesses from China have financed and built infrastructure projects for various African nations, including railways, ports, roads, dams and telecom networks.

“Belt and Road is something that’s already happening in Africa,” says David Dollar, a senior fellow at the Washington, DC-based Brookings Institution. A former World Bank official, he says China finances US$10 billion a year in infrastructure investment in Africa, “about a third of all external financing for infrastructure projects in Africa”.

The Chinese initiative’s maritime scheme will benefit Africa the most when shipping routes from the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean are factored in. “There’s a need for maritime infrastructure all along these routes and East Africa is definitely part of that,” Mr Dollar said.

Chinese diplomats are beating the Belt and Road drum where ever they are posted.

Said Sun Baohong, China’s ambassador to Ghana: “Achieving connectivity and industrialisation in Africa is the necessity and the only route to realise the Africa Dream. China and Africa have always been the community of common destiny and common interest.”

Ms Sun said eastern and southern Africa were historical and natural extensions of ancient maritime silk road.

“Participating in the Belt and Road Initiative will benefit Africa from China’s rapid economic development and inject new impetus in its social and economic development,” she said.

The global economy has been sluggish for years and talk of protectionism has brought challenges to Africa.

“China, as the world’s second largest economy, is trying to achieve economic restructuring. China’s stimulating effect on the development of Africa’s economy has been widely recognised,” she said.

Silk Road, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news

Already there are 3,300 Chinese companies doing business in Africa, representing an investment of $5.38 billion. China has constructed 20 economic and trade zones in 15 African countries, attracting 435 enterprises to move in with a cumulative output value of $19.35 billion.

According to the China-Kenya Economic Forum: Win-win 2017 organised by the Standard Charted in Nairobi, Chinese enterprises create more jobs on this continent than any other country,” she said.

Participating in the Belt and Road is the inherent need for implementing the 2063 Agenda of the African Union, which will promote the process of African integration, industrialisation and agricultural modernisation, and lift African people out of poverty.

The Belt and Road Initiative is highly consistent with the 2063 Agenda of African Union, and the China Dream of the Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation shares in common with the Africa Dream of poverty alleviation and social development.

An Ernst & Young (EY) study dampens these hopes with a reminder that there are still obstacles to overcome, including trade barriers erected between African countries themselves. Intra-African trade has seen a resurgence as a topic, and the pan-continental African Union has set a target to increase intra-African trade from 12 per cent in 2013 to approximately 50 per cent by 2045.

This is to be mainly facilitated through the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA), a single African market for goods and services, due to be established this year.

According to the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the CFTA could increase intra-African trade by US$35 billion, or 52 per cent above the baseline, by 2022.

Another barrier preventing existing trade agreements from working properly, is the lack of enabling infrastructure to connect countries. Because of the absence of adequate road and rail infrastructure, trade within Africa continues to be greatly impaired.

Some countries have identified and documented their infrastructure development needs, in line with their long-term economic development goals; but are struggling to close the funding gap for these projects.

With most of these projects still at feasibility stage, it is challenging for the private sector to participate. This fact alone is a bar against the private sector involvement because their investment mandates put projects at the feasibility stage, largely out of bounds.

But participating in the Belt and Road Initiative appears to alleviate a lot of these problems and offer important opportunities to African countries if only they can and will implement outcomes of the Johannesburg Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

In December 2015, the Johannesburg Summit of FOCAC adopted the China-Africa Ten Major Cooperation Plans with US$60 billion funding pledged by the Chinese government. New achievements of China and Africa cooperation have been scored in the past two years.

Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, Mombasa-Nairobi Railway, and Port of Djibouti are some exemplary projects, contributing significantly to the transport network and integration of East Africa.

Connectivity has created conducive conditions for the construction of industrial parks along the way, and attract more Chinese and other foreign enterprises to invest.

Africa’s participating in the Belt and Road Initiative will certainly further accelerate the delivery of tangible benefits to the African people.

While connectivity will not solve all problems in a continent which is rich is problems, will be go a long way to alleviating a core bottleneck which will make it far easier to address the other troubles that afflict Africa. source: shippinggazette[/restrict]

 

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UPSURGE OF INTEREST IN AFRICA TRADES BY OCEAN CARRIERS

Seaspan Chiwan. Picture: courtesy Shipspotting, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Seaspan Chiwan. Picture: courtesy Shipspotting

Gold Star Line (GSL) and Cosco, which operate a joint Asia-South Africa-West Africa service with six 4,200-TEU container ships, are to add an extra sailing, of which the first vessel, the 4,252 TEU SEASPAN CHIWAN, sailed from Ningbo on Monday this week (21 August).

The service is known as FA3 by GSL and WAX5 by Cosco.

According to Alphaliner the service now has a…[restrict] 12 week port rotation of Ningbo, Nansha, Hong Kong, Singapore, Port Kelang, Durban, Lagos and Tema and return direct to Ningbo.

Alphaliner data shows that Cosco has three weekly services on this route which are run in cooperation with PIL, GSL and MOL, while GSL (an affiliate company of Zim) provides two weekly sailings in partnership with Cosco and PIL.

Alphaliner suggests that with a recovery in volumes in the Africa trade ocean carriers are looking more favourably on such services. Apart from the above increase by GSL and Cosco, Maersk and CMA CGM have also launched an extra fortnightly Asia-West Africa loop deploying 4,200 vessels and focusing on the Nigerian market.

The Loadstar says a recent analysis by Drewry of the Asia-southern Africa market noted that the headhaul trade was up 4.3% in the first six months against 2016, and in the second quarter southbound shipments leapt by 8%, the fastest growth rate on the route since the second quarter of 2013.

It said that imports have grown as importers have taken advantage of a recovering currency to restock in anticipation of higher consumer demand.

FAX service map, now 12 ships and faster frequency. Appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
FAX service map, now 12 ships and faster frequency

Loadstar’s report quotes Drewry’s Container Freight Insight as saying that a seven-year peak for spot rates occurred between Shanghai and Durban last month, at US$3,090 per 40ft, as vessel utilisation reached 79%, a high level for the trade and a massive turnaround in rates on a tradelane which, by July last year, had slumped to below $1,000 per 40ft.

Unsurprisingly, it says, carriers have been quick off the mark to upgrade their offering, with Drewry estimating a year-on-year 15% increase in capacity so far, with even more slots to be added this month and next. And Drewry believes that strong demand will mitigate the hike in supply.

“Freight rates should continue their ascent in this growing trade over the coming months as new capacity will be supported by greater volumes.” source: The Loadstar, Alphaliner, Drewry[/restrict]

 

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NEW NAVAL OFFSHORE PATROL VESSELS FOR INDIA

INS Shachi. Picture: IR Class / Reliance Defence ©, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
INS Shachi. Picture: IR Class / Reliance Defence ©

Two Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPV’s) which are being built under classification of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass*) were launched at the Reliance Defence shipyard, Pipavav, Gujarat, on 25 July 2017.

These vessels, named INS SHACHI and INS SHRUTI, are the first two in a five vessel class which are being built to IRS Rules and Regulations for Construction and Classification of Naval Ships. These Rules were jointly developed by the Indian Navy and the Indian Register of Shipping.

Besides providing classification services, the Indian Register of Shipping is also…[restrict] carrying out various analysis and assessments towards assigning special notations such as: Direct Strength Assessment, Fatigue Design Assessment, Integrated Platform Management Systems and Integrated Bridge Systems as well as CLEAN AIR, it is understood. The CLEAN AIR notation is intended to prevent air pollution due to emission of ozone depleting substances, nitrogen oxide and emissions contributing to global warming.

Commander K K Dhawan (IN Ret’d.), Head of Defence Division at IRClass said: “This significant development marks a milestone in the Indian Defence sector’s initiative to become self-reliant. IRS has worked closely with the Indian Navy as well as with the shipyard to ensure the successful launching of these two vessels.”

INS Shruti. Picture: IR Class / Reliance Defence ©, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
INS Shruti. Picture: IR Class / Reliance Defence ©

The five NOPVs being constructed at Reliance Shipyard** are armed with 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) system along with two 30mm AK-630 guns which provide medium range and short range offensive and defensive capabilities. Armament is remotely controlled through an electronic Fire Control System.

These warships are fitted with a 20,000 kW diesel propulsion systems and can deliver speeds up to 25 knots. All ship operations are controlled by an intelligent Integrated Platform Management System which has interfaces for all operational activities in the ship.

Earlier, in 2015, IR Class had also announced development of its Rules for Naval Combatant Ships as well.

*Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is an international ship classification society. The not-for-profit entity was founded in 1975. IRS is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), which represents classification societies worldwide.

**Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited is the first private shipyard in India to obtain a defence production licence and signed a contract for defence ships in 2011. The Company is currently engaged in construction of one training ship and fourteen fast patrol vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard, it is reported.[/restrict]

Paul Ridgway
London

 

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NATO OPERATIONS SEA GUARDIAN

Historical Ordnance Disposal (HOD) Operations conducted by Estonian minehunter ENS Sakala in Estonian territorial waters, 17 August. Photo: Reproduced by kind permission of the Estonian Navy / NATO ©.
Historical Ordnance Disposal (HOD) Operations conducted by Estonian minehunter ENS Admiral Cowan in Estonian territorial waters, 17 August. Photo: Reproduced by kind permission of the Estonian Navy / NATO ©.

Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1)

On 22 August NATO’s Allied Maritime Command reported from its HQ in Northwood (NW London) that its warships had conducted a focused operation as part of Operation Sea Guardian in the central Mediterranean Sea from 3-20 August.

This was to further refine coordination efforts with the…[restrict] European Union’s Operation Sophia and further integrate information provided by ships in associated support to the mission.

Operating in international waters off the coast of Libya, the Italian Navy’s ITS EURO served as the flagship for this focused operation with a Greek submarine and maritime patrol assets from various Allied nations providing direct support at various times to the operation.

With the EU’s Operation Sophia units sometimes operating in the same area, NATO and the EU have agreed to coordinate and cooperate on information sharing and logistics. This effort enabled NATO and the EU to share daily situation reports and intentions as well as schedules for air, surface and submarine operations. Sharing this information prevented duplication of tasks and helped build a bigger picture of maritime activities in the central Mediterranean.

ITS Euro also worked closely with ships in associated support to Operation Sea Guardian such that they were not tasked specifically to provide direct support to OSG, but to provide information to the operation in the course of their other duties.

HMS DUNCAN, the Standing NATO Maritime Group Two (SNMG2) flagship is a good example of this, she was also operating in the central Mediterranean on an independent Maritime Situational Awareness patrol while simultaneously providing information to ITS Euro about what they observed, broadening the flagship’s picture.

NATO Op Sea Guardian logo, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
NATO Op Sea Guardian logo

So far this year NATO has performed Focused Operations in the Central Mediterranean twice, and in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean once each.

The focused security patrol concentrated on gathering pattern-of-life information about maritime activities in the international waters of the central Mediterranean Sea and took an opportunity to practice information sharing on a real-time basis at sea to ensure successful coordination with the EU and with assets in associated support to the operation. All in support of the Operation’s Maritime Situational Awareness (MSA) task.

Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1)

On 17 August SNMCMG1 completed four days of Historical Ordnance Disposal (HOD) operations along with Estonian minehunter ENS Admiral Cowan in Estonian territorial waters.

These warships searched Estonian coastal areas that had not been previously examined closely for the presence of sea mines or any other explosive ordnance remaining from World Wars I and II.

In the words of the commander of SNMCMG1, Commander (j.g.) Gvido Laudups: “To this point, no explosive ordnance has been identified, but it does not mean that there is no result of our work. Even if there is nothing dangerous found, the result is that now it is known that searched areas are safe for navigation and fishing. And it takes a lot of accurate work to get to this point.”

He also pointed out: “The main purpose of our Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One activities is to make the sea safe for shipping in general and, in this case, for fisherman in particular, who can find explosive ordnance in their fishing nets and trawls in unsearched coastal areas.”

At the time of writing (23 August) SNMCMG1 ships steamed to Mersrags, Latvia, for a scheduled port visit and for the ship’s company to take part in the annual Mersrags County Festival during the weekend (19 / 20 August) as well as to rest and recuperate before participation in annual historical naval mine disposal operation Open Spirit held in Latvian waters this year.

This exercise is hosted on a rotational basis by one of the Baltic States.[/restrict]

Edited by Paul Ridgway
London

 

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PRESS RELEASES

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Advisian appoints Adam Boughton to grow infrastructure business

Adam Boughton, in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Adam Boughton

Advisian, the technical and management consulting division of WorleyParsons, has appointed Adam Boughton to the newly created role of Regional Director Infrastructure, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Reporting to EMEA Managing Director Adrian Smith, Adam will serve as a member of the EMEA Leadership team and will focus on growing Advisian’s infrastructure business across the region.

Adrian Smith, Managing Director EMEA at Advisian, said: “We are…[restrict] ambitious to continue our exciting growth journey and keep improving our integrated client offering. Adam has an exemplary and proven record of success in sub-Saharan Africa and we look forward to greater success across EMEA.”

Adam has led the Advisian sub-Saharan Africa business over the past two years, where it has taken significant strides in establishing itself as a leading firm offering technical and management advisory services. Previously, Adam led the sub-Saharan Africa infrastructure consulting line and prior to his move to Africa, spent a number of years working within the Group’s Australian consulting business.

“Advisian will be a strong driver of growth in EMEA and will focus on harnessing this expertise to provide our clients with access to a world-best capability that will deliver significant value to their businesses. All of our specialist capabilities are backed by credible, full-range, project delivery experience,” said Boughton.

Kaniz Samir-Mostaffa, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Kaniz Samir-Mostaffa

Also joining Advisian in the Dubai office, and supporting Adam, is Kaniz Samir-Mostaffa, Regional Infrastructure Business Development Manager, EMEA. Kaniz is joining Advisian from her role at AECOM as a Regional Business Development Manager, Strategy and Growth, EMEA. She has significant experience developing strategies to ensure that clients can achieve their goals through a collaborative approach focusing on the full lifecycle of project delivery.

Advisian can be engaged at any time of the project lifecycle, either in a stand-alone manner or as part of the overall project, adding value from the early phases of project development through to decommissioning and post-closure.

Advisian’s EMEA infrastructure capability is delivered from offices in the UK, Spain, UAE, Egypt and South Africa, and is integrated with the company’s hydrocarbons, minerals and metals, power, and chemicals sectors. Advisian’s advisory services include strategic and management consulting services, decision and risk analysis; digital enterprise; operational improvement, master planning, transportation; ports, marine and terminals; environmental and social services; restoration advisory services; geosciences and project delivery services.[/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.

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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 : ITAL LAGUNA

ITAL Laguna at Durban by Keith Betts, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news

ITAL Laguna at Durban by Keith Betts, appearing in Africa PORTS
ITAL Laguna. Pictures: Keith Betts

Evergreen’s ITAL LAGUNA (67,470-dwt) made a visit to Durban during August and is seen here arriving down the entrance channel. The 294-metre long, 32m wide ship has a container capacity of 5,060 TEU. She was built in 2006 at the Hanjin Heavy Industries Co Ltd shipyard in South Korea as their hull number 152 and is owned by Italian interests and flies the Italian flag. Her original name was LT LAGUNA which changed after the Taiwanese Evergreen company became the parent of Italia Line. These Italian ships were once much more common in Durban but have become infrequent visitors in recent years. These pictures are by Keith Betts

 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“…Reasoning will never make a Man correct an ill Opinion, which by Reasoning he never acquired…”
– Jonathan Swift, 1721 [“I have heard it remarked, that men are not to be reasoned out of an opinion that they have not reasoned themselves into.” – Fisher Ames, 1786]

 

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