
TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS
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- First View : SHELDUCK
- SA Agulhas takes young crew and scientists to Antarctica
- De Beers plans another newbuild diamond mining vessel with Kleven
- Nigeria gets serious about Bayelsa Waterways security and deploys 16 gunboats
- Beira LNG terminal to open for business in January
- MSC Musica’s arrival will signal growth in South Africa’s cruise industry
- TPT takes delivery of 23 Kalmar straddle carriers
- China’s NDRC calls on state-owned ports to cut handling fees & end monopolistic practices
- SA Port Regulator decision on TNPA Tariff Application
- Concern over cyber liability & lack of regulation with unmanned ships
- Expected Ship Arrivals and Ships in Port
- Cruise News and Naval Activities
- Pic of the Day : CROWN RUBY
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Green bulkers are not that common while also not being rare but they do add to the colourful parade of ships that arrive and sail each day from a busy port such as Durban. The ship in this case is the bulk carrier SHELDUCK (IMO 9485930), which arrived in port during early November to take bunkers, prior to heading along the coast to Richards Bay where she began working cargo at berth 607. The 34,467-dwt Shelduck is owned and managed by Seastar Shipmanagement of Athens, Greece and was built in 2012 at the SPP Shipbuilding Tongyoung Shipyard in Tongyoung, South Korea. Until February 2014 she carried the name ELYSIA. Shelduck is flagged in Monrovia on the Liberian Registry. This picture is by Keith Betts
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SA AGULHAS TAKES YOUNG CREW AND SCIENTISTS TO ANTARCTICA

SA Agulhas (IMO 7628136), under the command of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) will embark on a scientific expedition to Antarctica tomorrow (Friday), setting sail with 20 new cadets and hosting scientists from India.
The 6,122-gt vessel will transverse through the Indian Ocean with its first stop in Mauritius to collect the scientists, and then head to Antarctica to spend three months on a research mission. For the 20 cadets, recruited for various on-board technical functions, this would be their maiden journey.
The SA Agulhas is expected to reach Antarctica in four weeks time. The cadets, aged from 20-27, are fresh from their academic studies from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Durban University of Technology.
As part of its crew the vessel will have 19 deck cadets and one engine room cadet, of which 12 are males and eight are females. The South African Maritime Training Academy (SAMTRA) has been appointed to manage the cadets and training operations for the Antarctic voyage.
On board the vessel as well will be two deck training officers, Captain Merwyn Pieters and Steven Paulse, who are both highly experienced in the operation of the vessel and also travelled on a previous similar expedition in 2016.
“As SAMSA we are proud to be part of this endeavour to train young people and expose them to new opportunities. We are confident that the cadets chosen possess the steely determination and focus to survive in the Antarctic,” said Chief Operations Officer for SAMSA, Sobantu Tilayi.
“The knowledge acquired from this cold journey will benefit South Africa’s fast growing maritime sector and the entire world.
“It is through such initiatives we aim to fight the plague of unemployment, create awareness about our oceans and help contribute towards our oceans economy,” said Tilayi.
All of the Cadets have completed medical exams, induction, Designated Security Duties (DSD) and Personal Survival Techniques (PST), required for the long cold yet exciting journey ahead.
Once the working vessel returns the cadets will be expected to complete the Marine Fire Fighting (FF), First Aid At Sea (FAAS) and the Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR) courses in 2018.
Captain Pieters, an experienced seaman with almost 46 years under his belt working on various vessels, said the cadets were enthusiastic and keen.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for these young people – a trip like this would normally cost over US$50,000 and they are being afforded this opportunity to learn under some of the most trying conditions. Between the other training officer and I we are honoured to pass on our expertise and knowledge.
“It takes guts of steel to be away from your family and loved ones. For this group, this journey is new to them, and it would come with many new experiences, including building team spirit,” Pieters said.
SA Agulhas is a ice-strengthened polar research vessel which was built in 1977 and was used to service three South African National Antarctic Programme research bases. She was retired from Antarctic service in April 2012 and was replaced by SA Agulhas II. She was transferred to SAMSA as a dedicated training vessel with trading capabilities.
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DEBMARINE PLANS ANOTHER NEWBUILD DIMAOND MINING VESSEL WITH KLEVEN

Debmarine Namibia, the marine diamond mining unit of Anglo American in a 50/50 joint venture with the Namibian Government, is planning a new 176-metre custom-built diamond mining vessel for operation on the Namibian coast. The new ship, which will become the largest in the fleet, about two metres longer than the MV MAFUTA, will also be the biggest such ship anywhere – not that there are many other similar ships to be found outside Southern Africa.
This follows the recent delivery of another diamond mining vessel, the 113-metre…[restrict] SS NUJOMA which recently entered service.
The new vessel will be built at the Norwegian shipyard of Kleven, where much of SS Nujoma was constructed. The fitting out of her diamond sorting and dredging equipment was completed in Cape Town for an overall total cost said to be $157 million.
The latest ship will cost in the region of US$142 million and should be able to enter service in 2021.
“There is a great amount of potential in Namibia’s marine diamond deposits and this new vessel will support our strategy to continue to grow our offshore operations,” said Bruce Cleaver, CEO De Beers Group. “Earlier this year we launched the mv SS Nujoma, the world’s largest diamond sampling and exploration vessel, and this has improved our ability to target our mining activities. The acquisition of a new, custom-built mining vessel will help capitalise on the work of the mv SS Nujoma, thereby supporting the long-term future of Namibia’s diamond sector.”
Diamond mining is the single biggest contributor to Namibia’s economy, with Debmarine Namibia contributing more than $715 million in revenue annually, according to De Beers.
Debmarine Namibia was founded in 2002 and says it is the only company mining diamonds offshore. Offshore mining was established off the South African and the then South West Africa coast in the 1960s by the maverick Texan operator, Sam Collins who defied the experts by proving that diamonds could be found and mined offshore along the coast adjacent to the mouth of the Orange River.
His example was soon followed by other operators, including De Beers Mining who eventually bought Collins out. Debmarine Namibia currently has five vessels dredging the offshore seabed for diamonds working in depths of around 120 and 140 metres.
The new vessel is expected to create 130 new jobs in addition to Debmarine Namibia’s current workforce of 900 employees.[/restrict]
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NIGERIA GETS SERIOUS ABOUT BAYELSA WATERWAYS SECURITY AND DEPLOYS 16 GUNBOATS

The Bayelsa State Police Commissioner in Nigeria, Asuquo Amba, has announced that a total of 16 gunboats and 6,000 armed police personnel will be deployed along the waterways and creeks of Bayelsa State to deal with rising sea piracy and other criminal activities.
Reporting in Leadership, Commissioner Amba described the suspected sea pirates in Bayelsa waters as criminals that are to be dealt with.
He was…[restrict] addressing members of the state chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, led by the chairman, Chief Alabo Nengi James.
However, it appears that of the 16 gunboats to be deployed, 14 are awaiting repair, which is to be undertaken by the state government.
“The Governor has directed that 14 gun boats be repaired for the operation and three donated by the Police high Command. And the 6,000 personnel needed are being trained,” the commissioner said.
The Commissioner also addressed other issues of recent concern including a jail break at the offices of the State Anti-Robbery Squad known as SARS, which he blamed on the deplorable state of police detention facilities and slow judicial processes leading to congestion. He said that the construction of a new SARS jail and amendments aimed at improving the judicial processes have been submitted.[/restrict]
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BEIRA LNG TERMINAL TO OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN JANUARY

The Port of Beira’s new ocean terminal to handle liquefied natural gas is scheduled to open for business in January 2018.
The three-tank terminal will handle the storage, filling and distribution of LNG amd has a total storage capacity…[restrict] of 3,000 tonnes of LNG.
Te terminal is being financed by India’s Exim Bank and carries a value of US$ 38 million.
According to Petromoc the terminal site covers an area of 60,000 square metres which includes the filling station for trucks and bottles, offices and other infrastructural areas.
Construction of the terminal commenced in July 2015 and was scheduled for completion in August last year but has been delayed due to bad weather.
The new terminal will place the Port of Beira in the forefront of the regional gas storage and distribution market. Mozambique has one other LNG terminal that has been established at Matola, Maputo.[/restrict]
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MSC MUSICA’S ARRIVAL WILL SIGNAL GROWTH IN SOUTH AFRICA’S CRUISE INDUSTRY

MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and brand market leader in Europe, South America and South Africa has announced that it is bringing a bigger, more sophisticated ship to South African shores in 2018. This is a welcome move that speaks volumes about the cruise line’s positive growth and continuous momentum in our country.
MSC Cruises’ exponential growth internationally extends to our own shores, and is anchored in the company’s confidence not only in its product, but in the local market as well. When the cruise line first introduced MSC Sinfonia in 2009, the ship’s capacity almost doubled the size of previous MSC Cruises ships operating in South Africa.
“Today we’re moving over 100,000 passengers per 6-month season locally.” says MSC Cruises South Africa Managing Director Ross Volk. “MSC Cruises has always believed in the enormous business potential in South Africa, and when you offer an unparalleled experience for everyone in the family, when you have an amazing product, when you back it up with service excellence, it will always show in the numbers.”
With its alluring promise of discovery and unforgettable emotions, its abundance of choice in destinations, activities, entertainment, and cuisine, and its outstanding value for money, MSC Cruises’ growth is reflected across all market sectors, across all age groups, as well as in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions tourism segment (MICE).
And it is clear, with the upcoming introduction of MSC Musica to South African shores that the company continues to believe in the enormous potential in the local cruise industry. With a passenger capacity of 3,223, 16 decks, more swimming pools, more restaurants, pubs, lounges, and designer venues, more conference rooms, more cabins – with more balcony cabins– more entertainment, more choice, and more space, MSC Musica is poised to give many more people many more of the pleasures of a holiday at sea.
MSC Cruises’ constant innovations for the South African market don’t stop at the introduction of bigger and more sophisticated ships. Over the years, MSC Cruises has also expanded its local destinations. In addition to Portuguese Island, Maputo, Port Louis, La Possession, Cape Town and Walvis Bay, MSC Cruises has recently added a new unparalleled beach destination to its local itinerary: Pomene Bay.
Pomene Bay is a remote and unspoiled peninsula, 605 km north of Mozambique’s capital Maputo and 170 km south of Vilanculos. It offers a unique marine safari experience, complete with its own beach club, exclusively for MSC Cruises guests sailing from Durban.
It is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled destinations in the region and offers breath-taking white sandy beaches, crystal clear, blue waters, spectacular mangrove forests, and a rich variety of marine life; plants and birds, with a wide variety of tropical fish, turtles, dugongs and flamingos, to name just a few.
Amongst other local commitments, MSC Cruises’ joint venture with Africa Armada Consortium, KwaZulu Cruise Terminal, has been announced as the preferred bidder for the Durban Cruise Terminal worth R100-million. The terminal will be structured to accommodate two vessels, and will create significant employment both within the construction and operation phase of the terminal.
MSC Cruises has long been committed to playing a more active role in job creation and creating a positive impact in the South African cruise sector through hiring South Africans for both land based and on board positions – in local waters as well as worldwide. Since the launch of its first concerted local recruitment drive in 2013, the company has steadily increased the number of its positions for South Africans from housekeeping staff, waiters, shore excursion hosts, shop assistants, and casino dealers, all the way to cruise directors.
MSC Musica will drive local employment opportunities even further with a need for a total crew of just over 1,000.

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TPT TAKES DELIVERY OF 23 KALMAR STRADDLE CARRIERS

Kalmar, which is part of Cargotec, has reached a landmark in its commitment to local suppliers with the handover of 23 straddle carriers to Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) in the Port of Durban.
Transnet ordered these diesel-electric machines in November 2016 for TPT Durban Container Terminal, Pier 2, a dedicated straddle carrier operation in South Africa handling a throughput of 2.6 million TEU.
Over the last 15 years, Kalmar has delivered in excess of…[restrict] 150 straddle carriers to TPT. The significance of this latest order is that the machine structures were built locally in partnership with Transnet Engineering, an advanced manufacturing division of Transnet that employs more than 12,000 people across six locations and more than 130 depots in South Africa.
The straddle carrier components produced at the Transnet Engineering facility in Durban comply with strict European standards and are made to the same high standards as those produced by Kalmar in Europe.
The spreader beam was one of the key elements of this project. Kalmar had never manufactured spreader beams outside its European supply chain and the fabrication of this device, which automatically locates and locks the container, is an extremely complex process as all the parts are manufactured independently before being assembled.
“This was the first time our engineers had an opportunity to manufacture straddle carrier component kits with an OEM of Kalmar’s calibre,” explains Thamsanqa Jiyane, Transnet Engineering Chief Officer Advanced Manufacturing.
“Since 2002, Kalmar has invested significantly on localisation and has always exceeded its supplier development commitments to the local economy,” says Amanlal Kumkaran, National Service Executive Manager Southern Africa, Kalmar.
Amanlal Kumkaran, National Service Executive Manager, Southern Africa, Kalmar Industries (left), Themba Gwala, Transnet Port Terminals Chief Operations Officer (centre) and Thamsanqa Jiyane, Transnet Engineering Chief Officer: Advanced Manufacturing (right), cutting the ribbon.[/restrict]
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CHINA’S NDRC CALLS ON STATE-OWNED PORTS TO CUT HANDLING FEES & END MONOPOLISTIC PRACTICES

In a move that will find resonance in many other parts of the world including southern Africa, China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country’s top economic planner, has asked several major state-owned port groups to rectify their monopolistic practices, following anti-trust investigations earlier this year.
The groups were told to cut handling fees by 2018 to help save US$530 million in annual import/export logistics costs.
According to an NDRC statement, these port companies include…[restrict] Shanghai International Port Group, Tianjin Port Group, Qingdao Port Group and Ningbo-Zhoushan Port Co.
Critisism was levelled against the port operators for monopolising tug, tally and agent markets at local ports via subsidiaries in the respective businesses; charging excessive handling fees for export cargos; and imposing compulsory de-vanning and tally services on counterparties, among other terms.
“These practices have eliminated or constrained market competition, affected fair competition in the business environment and resulted in soaring service prices and increasing running costs in the real economy,” the NDRC said.
According to the NDRC most of the ports have begun correcting the operations practices.
The four port groups highlighted in this report have indicated they will reduce handling fees from 2018 onward to a reasonable level, which will bring about an annual saving of about Yuan3.5 billon (US$528 billion) in import and export logistic costs. source: NDRC and www.lloydslist.com[/restrict]
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SA PORT REGULATOR DECISION ON TNPA TARIFF APPLICATION
In a matter not totally unconnected with the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission story above, the chairman of South Africa’s Port Regulator, Mr Thaba Mufamadi, will announce the Regulator’s Record of Decision on Transnet National Ports Authority’s 2018/19 – 2020/21 Tariff Application on Friday, 1 December 2018 at 10h00.
This will be in the offices of the Ports Regulator in the Marine Building, Durban.
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CONCERN OVER CYBER LIABILITY & LACK OF REGULATION WITH UNMANNED SHIPS
- Concern over increased cyber security threat
- Uncertainty surrounding insurance cover availability
- Doubts raised over industry readiness for new technology
Almost two thirds (64%) of global marine industry executives believe there is uncertainty surrounding liability issues relating to unmanned ships should a vessel be involved in an incident as a result of a cyber-attack, according to a new report from global law firm Clyde & Co and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST).
A survey of 220 marine industry executives from across the world also found that there is a lack of clarity around collisions involving unmanned ships, with 59% of survey respondents agreeing there is confusion surrounding the regulations in this area.
David Loosley, Chief Executive, IMarEST says: “Technology is today advancing at an unprecedented rate and promises a host of new solutions for the maritime industry in terms of improved efficiency, safety and environmental performance. However, we should not be blinded by the benefits. We must also remain alert to the potential risks. This joint research report examines these vulnerabilities and how they might be addressed and is an important starting point for the industry to begin preparing for the future.”
Clyde & Co explains that current international shipping law states that vessels must be properly crewed, which means that unmanned ships are not presently permitted to enter international waters.
However, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), a UN agency that regulates shipping, announced in June of this year that it would begin to consider updating the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) to allow cargo ships with no captain or crew to travel between countries.
The Comité Maritime International (CMI) has also this year established a Working Group on ‘Maritime law for unmanned craft’ to consider how international conventions and regulations can be adapted to provide for the operation of unmanned vessels on the high seas.
Joe Walsh, Partner at Clyde & Co, comments: “The present state of SOLAS and collision avoidance regulations are being over taken by and holding back potentially industry-changing technology from being developed and implemented.
“Fortunately, the IMO, CMI and other industry interests appear to have recognised that there is a real appetite to test the water with unmanned ships at a commercial level. Industry will quickly need some legal clarity around cyber liability and collision regulations before any ground-breaking progress can be made.”
The Cyber threat
Over two thirds (68%) of survey respondents fear that unmanned ships present a greater cyber-security risk than traditional ships.
Clyde & Co and the IMarEST acknowledge that unmanned ships are likely to have a greater array of digital infrastructure than traditional ones, in order to ensure that ship owners and operators are able to control and track their ships remotely.
Walsh comments: “Marine executives are right to be concerned about the potentially increased threat of cyber attack as a result of the use of unmanned ships. However, it is probably worth mentioning that the maritime industry as a whole has been criticised for being a bit slow in reacting to existing cyber threats, including fully crewed vessels, and that the biggest threat to any organisation’s cyber-security posture is still, in fact, human error.
“It is therefore possible that a transition to unmanned ships might actually reduce an organisation’s profile and exposure to cyber risks. The cyber threat should certainly be taken seriously but it should not put the brakes on further exploration of the viability of unmanned ships.”
Uncertainty surrounding insurance
The report finds that another key issue is the availability of insurance cover for unmanned ships. Four of every five (80%) survey respondents think it is unclear how insurers will approach the new technology.
Patrick Murphy, Partner at Clyde & Co, says: “For a business to implement any new technology there is always a certain ‘leap of faith’ moment, especially when that technology could significantly change the way that organisation operates. Suitable insurance cover can help make this a much more calculated jump into the unknown.”
Clyde & Co points out that the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has been discussing the implications of the new technology. While there are not yet any concrete answers, IUMI expects unmanned vessels to change the landscape of the traditional maritime insurance industry.
Murphy continues: “The current concern for the marine industry is that few insurers are yet in a position where they can advise on how they are approaching insurance cover for unmanned ships. This is perhaps unsurprising given the lack of legal framework on which to assess and base liability.
“Insurers are reacting to new cyber risks, so I would expect them to be able to underwrite risks relating to unmanned ships assuming the liability and regulatory framework can be sorted out.
“Currently autonomous cars and drones look to be near the top of insurers’ agendas in terms of writing new technology risks. But the marine industry can push unmanned ships up the agenda by speaking with their insurers and asking how they are approaching the issue. As soon as the insurance industry realises there is genuine interest and can see the legalities starting to take hold then it will soon start to consider writing that risk.”
Other key findings – industry unprepared for new technology
- Half (48%) of survey respondents predict unmanned ships will be implemented in the next 10-15 years
- Nearly two thirds (63%) believe that the industry is not at all prepared in terms of infrastructure requirements for unmanned ships
- Half (51%) think that crews do not currently have the skill sets needed to operate and maintain unmanned ship
Joe Walsh concludes: “It’s clear there is plenty of work to be done but currently it is very much a chicken and egg situation. The marine industry desperately needs more clarity on the legal framework if they’re going to invest in the infrastructure and skills needed to roll out unmanned shipping on a commercial level. Meanwhile, regulators are unlikely to invest much time in assessing technology that they don’t think the industry is considering for widespread use. “”Of course something will move eventually, so the organisations that are taking a proactive approach towards this new technology are likely to have a competitive advantage once the regulatory landscape becomes clearer.”
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EXPECTED SHIP ARRIVALS and SHIPS IN PORT
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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 refrigerated (reefer) vessel CROWN RUBY sails into Durban harbour during November, looking splendid as do most of the reefer visitors. As part of the Cool Carriers pool, the 10,519-dwt Crown Ruby is owned by NYK Reefers headquartered with offices registered in London and is managed and operated by NYKCool of Stockholm, Sweden. She flies the flag of Panama. The 152-metre long, 24m wide ship was built in 1997 at the Iwagi Shipbuilding yard in Kamijima, Japan. This picture is by Trevor Jones
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Just as the old, looking back, idealize the past, so the young, looking forward, idealize the future. Illusion is the stuff of memory — and is at the heart of hope.”
– Dr. Idel Dreimer
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