Africa PORTS & SHIPS Maritime News

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TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS

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FIRST VIEW: VALIANT ACE

Valiant Ace at Lyttelton. Picture: Alan Calvert, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Valiant Ace. Picture: Alan Calvert

Mitsui OSK Line’s car carrier VALIANT ACE (59,022-gt) seen in Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand to discharge used and new motor cars. Built in 2012 at the Minamininippon Shipbuilding yard in Usuki, Japan, Valiant Ace is managed by MOL Shipmanagement of Singapore and is registered in the Marshall Islands. The ship is 200 metres in length and 32m wide and has a car carrying capacity of 6,400 units. This picture is by Alan Calvert

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DCT PIER 2 COMMENCES ERECTION OF NEW STRADDLE CARRIERS

Welding of T-Beam on Tack Jig. Pictures: TPT, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Welding of T-Beam on Tack Jig. Pictures: TPT

The erection of the first two of 23 straddle carriers commenced recently at the Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2. The arrival of these new straddle carriers forms part of an initiative being implemented by TPT in partnership with Transnet Engineering (TE) and Kalmar to increase productivity and overall operational performance.

This partnership is a first of its kind for TPT in that an OEM (Kalmar) has now supplied a substantial portion of the sub-assembled components for specialised cargo handling equipment of this nature through Transnet Engineering. Transnet Engineering is supplying Bumpers, Columns and Spreader Frame assemblies in its Bluff facilities in Durban and supplying to Kalmar Industries South Africa who have commenced assembling the Straddle Carriers at DCT’s Pier 2. This demonstrates the vast local capabilities that need to be further developed in an effort to boost local industrial growth.

Machining of Columns on 3D Milling machine, Port of Durban DCT 2, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Machining of Columns on 3D Milling machine

The erection of the straddle carriers started with the lifting of the top frames on 19 July 2017, and assembling the straddle carriers onto their wheels. The assembly of these straddle carriers has led to the handover of the first two machines in August 2017, followed by a steady stream of straddle carriers being commissioned over the next 4 months.

“Last year we committed to offering better service delivery through a number of initiatives which included the procurement of new equipment to replace the machines that had reached end-of-life. The completion of the 23 new straddle carriers will greatly enhance the service we will be able to provide,” stated Josiah Mpofu, Transnet Port Terminals’ GM: Engineering.

Spreader Frame Assembly getting tested for final quality before shipping on testing jig, DCT 2 appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Spreader Frame Assembly getting tested for final quality before shipping on testing jig

Transnet Port Terminals utilises a large fleet of equipment to handle cargo at the Durban Container Terminals. This fleet consists of ship to shore cranes, rail gantry cranes, and rubber tyre gantry cranes, straddle carriers, reach stackers and empty container handlers, amongst others.

More recently hauler and trailer combinations were introduced at DCT and have already contributed to improved handling and turnaround times. The overall fleet exceeds 250 units.

“Our revised approach to maintaining and procuring new equipment has already had a positive impact on improving the agility and reliability of our operations for our clients and stakeholders, which ultimately results in better customer service. The terminal is working tirelessly to ensure that we continuously improve our service delivery,” Mpofu said.

 

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NEW DAMEN PATROL VESSEL FOR HOMELAND OFFSHORE SERVICES, NIGERIA

Damen 3307 patrol vessel, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Damen 3307 patrol vessel

A Damen 3307 Patrol Vessel has been delivered to Homeland Integrated Offshore Services Ltd (Homeland) of Lagos, Nigeria, taking their fleet of these award-winning craft up to three in number.

A fourth is also currently under construction. Guardian 3 along with its sister ships Guardian 1 and Guardian 2 is now providing security and other support services to the international offshore oil companies active off the coast of Nigeria in the Gulf of Guinea, in cooperation with the Nigerian Navy.

The Guardian series of 3307 Patrol vessels are…[restrict] themselves unarmed, but in the course of their duties carry security personnel along with their firearms. Protection for those on board is provided by an armoured wheelhouse and internal safe haven, while accommodation for up to 16 individuals enables them to remain at sea for extended periods of time.

Damen’s 3307 Patrol design is exceptionally versatile and can be configured for a wide range of roles. Its axe-bow design and high-speed hull form delivers rapid acceleration and a top speed of around 30 knots, making them exceptional interceptors, each capable of providing a credible deterrent across wide areas of open sea. However with 70 m² of open aft deck they can also support offshore industries in a number of other ways, including crew transfers and equipment deliveries, quickly and safely in sea states that would leave conventional vessels struggling.

Additional features on board Guardian 3 include 15 extra seats for crew transfers, thermal imaging apparatus, a Fast Rescue Craft, a self-cleaning fuel separator to protect the engines and generators from contaminated fuel and a FuelTrax fuel management system that measures, monitors and reports on fuel consumption and efficiency. In-Country maintenance services and technical support will be provided by the Damen Service Hub in Port Harcourt.

“We are excited to have received our third FCS 3307 Security vessel from Damen Shipyards, whilst awaiting the delivery of the fourth in the 4th quarter of 2017 and the planned acquisition of the fifth vessel,” stated Louis Ekere, Managing Director and CEO of Homeland.

“Homeland is one of the few Government-approved, private maritime security companies operating in Nigeria, so the delivery of Guardian 3 has added tremendous value to our ability to provide turnkey security services to our clients and to meet their specific offshore and onshore deliverables; namely security protection of offshore oil and gas installations, passenger and crew transfers and emergency evacuation, cargo transfers and generally to provide security services to deter and intervene in piracy attacks which makes the maritime waterways safer for the benefit of all legitimate stakeholders.

“Damen has been a dependable partner,” he continued, “and has collaborated with Homeland to achieve this exceptional feat. Congratulations to Homeland and to Damen.”

Homeland was founded in 2006 to support international oil companies working in Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas fields by providing a wide range of services both at sea and on shore. 11 years later, it now operates a sizeable fleet that includes fast supply intervention vessels, platform support vessels, anchor handling tug supply ships, security and patrol vessels, and tugs. Led by managing director Louis Ekere, the company works with many of the international oil companies (IOCs) operating actively in the region.

Damen 3307 patrol vessel for Nigeria's Homelamd Offshore Services, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news

With a vast wealth of experience in maritime security services, Homeland has grown its capacity with the acquisition of additional Damen 3307 Patrol fit-for-purpose security vessels which use the breakthrough Axe Bow technology for improved interception speed and stability even in the most challenging terrain with minimal fuel consumption.

The Group’s integrated services also cater to other production support services including the provision and deployment of semi-skilled and highly skilled manpower support services, the supply of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) to all onshore and offshore oil installations, as well as the supply of a full range of premium quality casing and tubing, drill pipes, connectors and pipe accessories for use in all types of oil and gas drilling and well completion activities.

Homeland works closely with its clients to achieve their strategic objective by providing exceptional services to enable them focus on their core operations.

The Damen 3307 patrol vessel is 33.5 metres in length, has a maximum speed of 28 knots, a deck area of 70m2 and can carry up to 70 passengers. The vessel has an all aluminium hull.[/restrict]

 

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ETHIOPIA LOOKS TO PORT SUDAN FOR PORT FACILITIES

Port Sudan, where Ethiopia is looking to invest. Picture: CHEC, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Port Sudan, where Ethiopia is looking to invest. Picture: CHEC

Ethiopia is doing what any astute landlocked country will do – secure its borders and economic access to the sea.

Ethiopia has already invested heavily in developing its rail and road connections with Djibouti which handles about 95% of its external trade and recently an electrified railway was constructed linking the two countries by a Chinese firm, providing fast and efficient access to the port at Doraleh.

Ethiopia has also negotiated…[restrict] an overland access to the port of Berbera in northern Somalia in partnership with the Berbera port developer, DP World, and now comes news of a visit to Sudan by Ethiopia’s prime minister, Hailemariam Dessalegn, during which he signed an agreement that will enable Ethiopia to develop a terminal facility at Port Sudan through which Ethiopia could theoretically handle half of its foreign trade volume, should the need arise.

According to Ethiopian Transport minister Dessalegn Ambaw, the intention is to secure a facility that can be developed to handle imports or exports from Ethiopia, thus providing the country with an added alternative route to the sea. He said Ethiopia was also in discussion with another neighbouring country for an outlet for its foreign trade but declined to identify the neighbour.

Much of the development taking place at Djibouti, where four new ports (terminals) are under construction, is focused on trade with Ethiopia which has an expanding economy. Ethiopia could also be targeting Kenya as an additional outlet to the sea, with either Lamu or Mombasa to handle the landlocked country’s imports and exports.

Meanwhile it is reported that trial bulk shipments of chemical fertilisers are among the commodities shipped through Port Sudan.[/restrict]

 

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UAL AND MTL JOIN FORCES WITH SHIPPING SERVICES TO MAURITANIA AND SENEGAL

UAL Bodewes in Table Bay. Picture: UAL, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
UAL Bodewes in Table Bay. Picture: UAL

It’s being reported that shipping lines, Universal Africa Lines (UAL) and Maritime Transport Logistics (MTL) have reached an agreement to cooperate with their services to Mauritania and Senegal.

German-based MTL currently operates a monthly breakbulk service to Mauritania and Senegal with an emphasis on the mining industry. Regular loading ports are…[restrict] Antwerp, Belgium and Rouen, France, and discharge ports are Nouadhibou and Nouakchott in Mauritania and Dakar in Senegal.

The Netherlands-based UAL runs a regular liner service from North West Europe and the US Gulf to ports across the West African coast in the range from Ivory Coast to Angola, with its main focus on the oil and gas, and project business.

UAL operates these services with its own fleet of modern geared multipurpose (MPV) vessels, with the main loading ports being Houston, USA and Veracruz, Mexico for the US Gulf service and Antwerp and Aberdeen, UK for the European service – with other ports called on inducement.

The Dutch shipping line says that it has identified a large potential in the oil and gas market in Mauritania and Senegal, and its client base has been requesting that it expands its services to these countries, said Harald Maas, director of UAL Netherlands.

The joint services will be performed using UAL vessels, and cargoes can be booked on both the  MTL or UAL liner service through their respective agents.

“This cooperation with UAL will give us access to a big fleet of modern vessels and improve the regularity of our service,” said Heiner Stomberg of MTL.

“We can now also serve our regular clients with sailings from the USA, as well as offer the full range of West African ports through the UAL Liner Service.” source: Heavylift News[/restrict]

 

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MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND AWARDS CONTRACT FOR USS FITZGERALD HEAVYLIFT

USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). Picture: US Navy, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). Picture: US Navy

The US Navy’s Military Sealift Command has awarded a US$3.1 million firm, fixed-price contract for the heavy lift transfer of USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62).

Patriot Shipping, based out of Houston, Texas, has been awarded the contract to move Fitzgerald from Yokosuka, Japan, to Pascagoula, Mississippi where the ship will be repaired by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII).

The heavy-lift will be completed…[restrict] by November 2017.

USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), an Arleigh Burke class destroyer, was involved in a collision with the container ship ACX CRYSTAL on 17 June in the waters off Japan. Seven US sailors were killed in the collision, while the destroyer suffered damage above and below the waterline.

Several of the destroyer’s officers, including the captain were subsequently relieved of their posts, although the inquiry into the accident has yet to make its determination.

The US Navy decided that because of the complexity of the repairs and restoration necessary only an Arleigh Burke-class shipbuilder should tackle the job. It has decided that “only HII has the available capacity to restore USS Fitzgerald to full operational status in the shortest period of time with minimal disruption to ongoing repair and new construction work.”

In addition to the repair certain modernisation efforts will be included with the contract. source: US Navy[/restrict]

 

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OOCL TAKES DELIVERY OF SECOND 21,400-teu CONTAINER SHIP, OOCL GERMANY

OOCL Hong Kong, Germany's predecessor, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
OOCL Hong Kong, Germany’s predecessor

OOCL has taken delivery of the second of six 21,413 TEU capacity container ships, OOCL GERMANY.

The handover took place at the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard on Geoje Island in South Korea, where all six ships are being built.

The first vessel, OOCL HONG KONG was…[restrict] delivered in May this year and is deployed on the Asia – North Europe service, where OOCL Germany will join her.

OOCL Germany will be deployed on the company’s LL1 service which has a 77-day round trip rotation including port calls at Shanghai – Ningbo – Xiamen – Yantian – Singapore – via Suez Canal – Felixstowe – Rotterdam – Gdansk – Wilhelmshaven – Felixstowe – via Suez Canal – Singapore – Yantian – Shanghai.

The following four ships of this class and size will be delivered in the coming months with the last ship due early in 2018, an OOCL spokesman said.

OOCL is in the process of being acquired by China’s state-owned shipping line, COSCO, subject to regulatory approvals.[/restrict]

 

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PRESS RELEASES

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Namport donates 120 beds to needy school children in Omatjete

Taná Pesat, Manager: Corporate Communication shaking hands with the Mr Patoko, Principle of Omatjete Primary School, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Taná Pesat, Manager: Corporate Communication shaking hands with the Mr Patoko, Principle of Omatjete Primary School

The Namport Social Investment Fund (NSIF) recently donated double bed banks valued at N$75,546 (R75,546) to the Omatjete Primary School in the Erongo Region.

The beds will be used in the school’s newly built hostel. The school has 330 learners enrolled of which 120 make use of the community hostel the school introduced in 2007.

The community hostel is made up of two classrooms which were converted into sleeping areas to accommodate learners who previously had to walk more than 40km per day from surrounding villages to attend classes. The one classroom is for the boys and the other for the girls to sleep in. This conversion of classrooms into sleeping areas forced the school to adopt the infamous Platoon System.

Fortunately the school managed to raise enough funds and build two hostel blocks which will now accommodate the learners. The learners who are currently on school holidays will come back to a proper sleeping area with a bed of their own as they used to sleep on mattresses in the community hostel. The donated beds will accommodate all 120 pupils.

Speaking at the handover event, Ms Taná Pesat, NSIF Chairperson, said that “the Fund aims to alleviate poverty in societies countrywide as much as possible.” She further added that “investing in the education of the Namibian child was fundamental to the existence of NSIF and encouraged the school management to continue investing in the lives of our children and businesses such as Namport will always assist as much as possible.”

Receiving the donation, Mr Patoko, Principal of Omatjete Primary School, thanked NSIF and said that, “finally our children now have their own beds and as they sleep comfortably they will perform better in school.”

This donation does not only ensure the comfort of the learners but according to the principal, the school will no longer have the Platoon System in place as the two classrooms can now be used for their intended purpose.

 

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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 : GH SEABISCUIT

GH Seabiscuit arriving at Durban. Picture: Keith Betts, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
GH Seabiscuit. Picture: Keith Betts

For the second day in a row we have a ship calling at Durban with a somewhat unusual name. Yesterday it was DRAFTDODGER, a bulker that arrived to load cargo at the Bluff. In this picture featured today the ship in question is named GH SEABISCUIT (63,368-dwt), which sounds like the legendary American racehorse of the 1930s and 40s – and may in fact have been named accordingly. The 200-metre long, 32m wide bulk carrier was built in 2016 and is owned and managed by Hong Kong-based interests. The ship flies the flag of the Marshall Islands. This picture is by Keith Betts

 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

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– André Gide

 

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