
TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS
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- First View : KARIYUSHI LEADER
- How an unrecognised state’s port deal could shift dynamics across the Horn
- Transnet in international consortium concession to build new Nigerian rail network
- Tugs and port cranes delivered to Port Sudan from Qatar Ports
- South Africa disappointed at US steel tariff decision
- IFC to finance new LPG terminal at Port of Mombasa
- Davies Turner goes east with express China rail service
- Freight and Brexit
- First Damen Fast Crew Supplier with motion-compensated gangway system enters service
- Expected Ship Arrivals and Ships in Port
- Cruise News and Naval Activities
- Pics of the Day : MSC BEIJING
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NYK Line’s Ro-Ro car carrier, KARIYUSHI LEADER (IMO 9403217), formerly-named Glorious Express, seen in Durban harbour in late April this year. The 51,917-gt ship is owned by Japanese interests and managed by Tohmei Shipping Co Ltd of Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan. She was built in 2008 in the Philippines at the Tsuneishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Balamban. We featured this ship also in October last year, during another visit to Durban. This picture is by Keith Betts
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HOW AN UNRECOGNISED STATE’S PORT DEAL COULD SHIFT DYNAMICS ACROSS THE HORN
Berbera Port is set to be significantly developed and turned into a regional maritime hub. Credit: Tristam Sparks
Despite Somalia’s protestations, DP World and Somaliland are set to expand Berbera port. Some in the neighbourhood are excited. Others are worried.
Despite officially being banned from operating in Somalia this March, DP World is set to begin a project later this year that could have far-reaching implications for the region, both economically and politically.
In 2016, the United Arab Emirates state-owned ports operator closed a landmark deal worth US$442 million to develop and manage the strategically-located Berbera Port. The company entered into this agreement with Somaliland, an autonomous but unrecognised breakaway region in the north of Somalia.
The federal government in Mogadishu pushed back against the deal, seeing it as an infringement of its authority. In March, its national parliament voted to unanimously ban DP World. However, without the ability to actually enforce the ruling, the project is still set to go ahead.
When it does, the development of this small port in in the Gulf of Aden could significantly shift dynamics not just in Somaliland or Somalia, but Ethiopia, Djibouti and the Horn of Africa region more broadly.
What the deal means for Somaliland
The importance of the Berbera Port deal for Somaliland is clear. Given the republic’s lack of international recognition, it is cut off from international aid and relies heavily on remittances. The region has developed a relatively democratic and stable political system, but continues to suffer from several economic challenges such as high unemployment.
With relatively few alternatives therefore, the Somaliland government hopes that the plan to modernise Berbera Port and create an economic free zone will bring many much-needed jobs. The port is already a crucial source of revenue and employment, but capacity would be hugely expanded with a new 400m quay and 250,000 m2 yard extension. This could turn the port into a key regional maritime trading hub and substantially boost government income through customs duties and its 30% stake in the project. It could be economically transformative.
The political ramifications, however, are perhaps just as significant. This ground-breaking deal is going ahead despite desperate efforts from Somalia, which has invalidated the deal and lodged official complaints with the Arab League and African Union. Somalia’s foreign minister again urged DP World to “reconsider” last week. The fact that these attempts to sabotage the project have had little effect highlights Somalia’s lack of authority over its breakaway northern region.
Somaliland’s President Muse Bihi Abdi has been trying to capitalise on this weakness by further strengthening relations with the UAE. He recently visited Abu Dhabi where it was announced that the Gulf nation would train Somaliland forces as part of a separate deal to establish a military base in Berbera. In April, the UAE Ministry of Interior even added a category to its visa form to allow citizens to apply from “The Republic of Somaliland” rather than just Somalia.
Not everyone in region is happy though. There are allegations that ruling officials accepted bribes to authorise the project. The opposition has complained of a lack of transparency around the deal. Meanwhile, others warn that rivalry over land ownership in the Berbera area could lead to disputes and grievances.
Yet in concrete as well as symbolic ways, the Berbera port deal has firmly moved Somaliland one step closer to international recognition, a goal that has remained out of reach for the past 27 years.
What the deal means for Ethiopia
As well as altering relations between Somaliland and Somalia, the DP World deal could also have important repercussions for Ethiopia. On 1 March, it was announced that the regional hegemon had acquired a 19% stake in the project. As part of this deal, Ethiopia is required to construct the “Berbera Corridor”, a $300 million road linking the port to the capital Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia’s close inclusion in the deal adds another country with which Somaliland is dealing with directly. With a population of over 100 million people, it also guarantees Berbera port a large and key commercial market. However, Ethiopia stands to benefit hugely from the port expansion too, economically and strategically, and has in fact been lobbying the rich UAE and other Gulf nations to invest in Berbera for years.
This reason for this is that, at the moment, 95% of the land-locked country’s imports and exports flow through Djibouti. A modernised port in Somaliland would provide an alternative for Addis Ababa and loosen its heavy dependency on its small north-eastern neighbour. The Berbera corridor would also help Ethiopia open up its relatively underdeveloped eastern regions, particularly to the trade of livestock and agricultural goods. As a piece in The Conversation argues, the project also has potential geostrategic value to Addis in keeping Eritrea isolated and consolidating its own control over the region.
What the deal means for Djibouti
As well as Mogadishu, the party with the most to lose from the DP World deal is Djibouti, which has come to rely on Ethiopia’s custom as much as Ethiopia relies on Djibouti’s access to the sea. Having profited hugely from this relationship over the years, Djibouti now stands to see hundreds of millions of dollars in customs revenue diverted once its near monopoly on routes in and out of Ethiopia comes to an end.
Djibouti is clearly frustrated that the ever-expanding DP World is seeking to develop ports both in Djibouti and Somaliland. It had in fact already been quarrelling recently with the company, which was awarded a 50-year concession to run its Doraleh Container Terminal in 2006. In 2014, the government lodged claims that the UAE state-owned company had made illegal payments to secure the contract. This February, a London court dismissed the charges, prompting Djibouti to terminate the deal unilaterally in what the UAE called an “arbitrary” and “illegal” move.
Scheduled to start construction this year, the Berbera port deal clearly has both its winners and losers. In an often unpredictable and adversarial region, this one development could see wide-ranging political and economic dynamics start to shift.
source: African Arguments and republished on a Creative Commons license.
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TRANSNET IN INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM CONCESSION TO BUILD NEW NIGERIAN RAIL NETWORK
A few hours before Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s White House meeting on 30 April with President Trump, the Presidency in Abuja announced agreement to build a new rail network, led by the US-corporate giant General Electric and including SA’s Transnet.

“The first of @AsoRock ‘s #PMBinDC Agreements has been signed, with an international consortium led by @generalelectric (comprising GE, SinoHydro, Transnet and APM Terminals), for the interim phase of the concession of Nigeria’s narrow-gauge rail network,” reads the first of six Tweets posted by the official @NGRPresidency account early Monday morning DC time. The project is expected to significantly boost passenger service and freight capacity, the Tweets said.
Below is the announcement, issued by GE and updated on 29 April, on behalf of consortium members from China, South Africa and the Netherlands.
International Consortium Signs Interim Phase Agreement with FGN for Rail Concession
Consortium to proceed with execution of Interim Phase of the Rail Concession process
Following its award of preferred bidder status by the…[restrict] Federal Government of Nigeria in May 2017, an International Consortium last Friday in Washington D.C, signed an agreement to proceed with the Interim Phase of the Nigerian narrow-gauge [3ft 6ins] railway concession.
Initiated by General Electric, the world’s premier digital industrial company, the Consortium is comprised of SinoHydro, a leading infrastructure construction services corporation, Transnet, a leader in transportation and logistics infrastructure management and APM Terminals, a global port, terminal and intermodal inland services provider.
In the interim phase of the rail concession, Remedial Works will be carried out on part of the narrow- gauge rail line system to make it technically and economically operable. Additionally, a joint operation will be established between the Consortium and the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) with an initial supply of 10 locomotives and 200 wagons to augment the existing rolling stock in Nigeria.
This program is expected to deliver an increase in the number of available locomotives, thus increasing the frequency of passenger and freight rail services. In addition, freight haulage capacity by the end of the first 12 months of the interim phase is expected to increase roughly ten-fold, from its current less than 50,000 metric tonnes per annum to about 500,000 metric tonnes per annum.

Speaking on the occasion, Lazarus Angbazo, CEO of GE Nigeria said “GE is committed to the sustainable development of Nigeria and as such we are delighted to have reached this crucial stage of the project to revamp and revitalize the country’s legacy rail infrastructure system. The Consortium looks forward to commencing execution of this Interim Phase with the continued support of the Federal Government and the Ministry of Transportation. As operations begin, our strong partners, such as Transnet and SinoHydro, will bring their strong operating and development skills to the forefront.”
Following the commencement of the Interim Phase, the Consortium will conclude negotiations with the Federal Government on the terms of the substantive phase of the concession agreement that will expand service to up to 200 locomotives and associated rolling stock. This will see to the comprehensive rehabilitation of Nigeria’s narrow-gauge rail infrastructure and the return of rail transport as a key element in enabling the country’s socio-economic development.
Chief Executive of Transnet International Holdings Mr Petrus Fusi said, “We are pleased to be a partner in this ground-breaking concession and look forward to the successful execution of the Interim Phase with the government and the opportunity to add value.”
Similarly, SinoHydro Chairman, Mr Ding Zhengguo mentioned, “This announcement is a step closer to the opportunity to transform rail infrastructure and transportation logistics in Nigeria; a country with huge potential.” He added “We are very excited to partner with this resourceful consortium to deliver value.”
“APM Terminals has been actively investing and participating in Nigeria’s logistics infrastructure since 2006, and we are proud to be a part of this project to improve access for the Nigerian hinterland to the global logistics chain.” – David Skov, Head of Terminals IMEA added to the statements.
According to the Nigerian Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, “This milestone project is an unprecedented commitment by the Federal Government of Nigeria, which, combined with the GE-led Consortium’s drive to modernising Nigeria’s rail infrastructure, will add immense value to Nigeria’s long term economic growth and productivity. This will be an important catalyst for small and medium enterprises and a key provider of almost incalculable socio-economic benefits for the many Nigerian towns and villages through which the rail network passes.” he added.[/restrict]
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TUGS AND PORT CRANES DELIVERED TO PORT SUDAN FROM QATAR PORTS

Sudan has taken delivery of a number of harbour tugs and port cranes, provided by the Qatari Ports Authority.
It is understood that the tugs and cranes are intended for the Sudanese port of Suakin (Swakin Sea Port) as part of Qatar Ports Authority’s concession to refurbish and operate the port.
Details of the tugs and how many have not been revealed and any information on these would be appreciated.
The transfer of tugs and cranes is a follow-up on phase one of the…[restrict] Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Sudanese port company and the Qatar Ports Management Company.
The Sudanese port of Suakin has historic importance in the Red Sea but has been overtaken in modern times by Port Sudan further north. Suakin still retains considerable interest for the tourism industry, including cruise ship visits, but recent developments between Sudan and Qatar intend giving the ancient port a more important role to play for the future.
In the MoU Qatar and Sudan agreed on a new joint partnership for the full rehabilitation and management of the port of Suakin.
The project to rehabilitate the Port of Suakin is to be completed by 2020 and includes the development of a free zone. In terms of the agreement Qatar will operate the port by concession – the period of which has also not been disclosed.
The delivery of the tugs and cranes was marked by a reception celebration attended by the Qatari Ambassador to Sudan, Rashed Bin Abdulrahman Al-Nuaimi, Minister of Environment and Tourism in the Red Sea State, Saleh Salah, the Representative of the Wali (governor) of the State and other involved officials.
The Qatari Ambassador said in his address that the development project of Swakin Sea Port (Suakin) will further strengthen the relations between the two countries for the benefit of the Sudanese and Qatari people.
The cranes and tugs form part of the US$4 billion capital asset improvement aimed at promoting the port. Sudan ports have been starved of foreign investment resulting from the economic sanctions against Sudan.
In December last year, Sudan and Turkey agreed to develop joint tourism projects in Suakin, a port and city that played an important role during the days of Turkish Ottoman rule.[/restrict]
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SOUTH AFRICA DISAPPOINTED AT US STEEL TARIFF DECISION

The South African government has expressed disappointment at not being granted exemption from the US Section 232 steel and aluminium tariff duties.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump signed Proclamations granting permanent country-exemptions to a select number of countries and extended by one month the Section 232 steel and aluminium tariff duty exemptions for some.
“South Africa is disappointed that it was not granted an exemption from the duties,” the Department of Trade and Industry said on Tuesday.
Monday’s proclamation follows on the 8 March proclamation signed by President Trump to impose a 10% ad valorem tariff on imports of aluminium articles and a 25% ad valorem tariff on imports of steel articles. These excluded…[restrict]select countries including Canada, Mexico, the European Union, South Korea, Australia, Argentina and Brazil.
The Proclamation followed reports from the Secretary of Commerce that imports of these products threaten to impair US national security.
South Africa, through the Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies, made representations to the US, including two written submissions. In addition, South African Ambassador to the US Mninwa Mahlangu also engaged with the White House National Security Council staff, State Department, the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and Commerce Department.
Minister Davies also had teleconferences with Ambassador CJ Mahoney, the Deputy USTR for Investment, Services, Labor, Environment, Africa, China and the Western Hemisphere on 22 March 2018 and again on 30 April 2018.
SA’s submissions
In the submissions, South Africa argued that it itself is grappling with the consequences of the global steel glut and that it has stringent customs control measures and that there is no risk of circumvention or transhipment of steel from third countries.
South Africa further emphasised that its exports of aluminium products per annum are equivalent to about 1.6% of total US aluminium imports. According to the US Census Bureau data, in 2017 the US imported a total of 33.4 million tons of steel, of which imports from South Africa were approximately 330,000 tons or 0.98% of total US imports and 0.3% of total US steel demand of 107 million tons.
The 330,000 tons exported from South Africa represents 5% of South Africa’s production equating to roughly 7,500 jobs in the steel supply chain.
“As such, SA does not pose a threat to US national security and to the US steel and aluminium industries but is a source of strategic primary and secondary products used in further value added manufacturing in the US contributing to jobs in both countries. However, due to these measures, South Africa will be disproportionately affected both in terms of jobs and productive capacity.”
The country also offered to restrict exports to a quota based on 2017 exports level.
“However, despite these assurances, the United States has decided not to exempt South Africa from the duties. It is important to note that some of the exempted countries are the biggest exporters of steel and aluminium to the United States,” said Trade and Industry Department.
For steel imports collectively, countries granted exemption accounted for 58% of total steel imports into the United States in 2017 while for aluminium imports collectively, countries granted exemptions accounted for 49% of total aluminium imports into the United States over the same period.
Concern about unfairness
“South Africa is therefore not a cause of any national security concerns in the US nor a threat to US industry interests and is not the course of the global steel glut. Instead, South Africa finds itself as collateral damage in the trade war of key global economies.”
South Africa also expressed concern by the unfairness of the measures and that it is one of the countries that are singled out as a contributor to US national security concerns when its exports of aluminium and steel products are not that significant.
“South Africa acknowledges the adverse effects of global steel overcapacity. The domestic steel sector has been severely impacted by low priced steel and steel product imports and as a result the country has implemented a number of trade remedy measures.”
In addition, the country supports and participates in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and G20 multilateral processes to achieve outcomes of a fair, sustainable and viable steel industry in the future.
Negative impact on industry
The department said the imposition of the duties will have a negative impact on productive capacity and jobs in a sector already suffering from global steel overcapacity.
“In addition, South Africa notes with concern the different treatment of trading partners which will have an effect on the competitiveness of South African steel and aluminium products in the US and is likely to displace South African products out of the US market in favour of the exempted countries.”
South Africa said the measures are implemented in a way that contravenes some of the key World Trade Organisation principles.
“The Department of Trade and Industry continues to engage the industry on the matter,” it said while also encouraging domestic exporters to engage their US buyers to consider applying for product exemption under a process conducted by the US Commerce Department for products. source: SAnews.gov.za[/restrict]
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IFC TO FINANCE NEW LPG TERMINAL AT PORT OF MOMBASA

A liquefied natural gas (LPG) terminal to be developed at the Port of Mombasa by Mombasa Gas Terminal Limited (MGT) is to receive financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
MGT is owned by Dubai-based Milio International Limited, a firm that trades in refined fuels. The IFC is ready to loan MGT US$48 million (Sh4.8 billion) for the construction costs, part of…[restrict] a Sh11.2 billion funding for the firm, made up in a combination of loans for MGT’s account and for other participating lenders.
The terminal will consist of a private berth for unloading mid-sized LPG carriers, an onshore storage facility with a capacity of 22,000 metric tonnes and associated infrastructure that will have multiple landing points for transfer of LPG to transport vehicles.
The facility will also have a pipeline and direct mooring access for large-sized LPG carriers and is scheduled to commence operations in early 2020.
The US firm of Lloyd Jones Construction has been awarded the contract to build the terminal over an 18-month period, besides providing maintenance support for the project during the first two years of operations.
MGT will use LPG-approved tanks to transfer the gas by trucks to the Rift Valley Railways (RVR) yard in Kilindini and the Standard Gauge Railways (SGR) yard in Port Reitz, from where the commodity will be transported to Nairobi and other parts in the country. source: IFC and Business Daily[/restrict]
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Davies Turner, a leading UK independent freight forwarding company, is adding an export LCL (less than Container Load) cargo service by rail from the UK to China one year after launching an import LCL and FCL (Full Container Load) rail service in the other direction.
This was reported on 25 April.
It is understood that consignments destined for China are consolidated through the company’s nationwide hub and spoke trunking operations and then loaded at their regional distribution centre in Dartford, Kent (Thames Estuary) onto one of Davies Turner’s daily trailer services to Hamburg. In Hamburg, consignments are transferred onto the rail service, which then heads east, passing through Poland, Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan, before arriving in Wuhan, China. Shipments are transported under an Export Accompanied Document (EAD).
Ex-UK transit times to Wuhan range from 26 to 30 days, whilst…[restrict] Customs clearance and delivery throughout mainland China averages 5 to 7 days, dependent upon the final point of delivery. Davies Turner says that in comparison to ocean freight, a shipment collected from the factory and delivered to the door makes possible a 14-day reduction in transit time.

Furthermore, rail has on average proved to be 50%-60% cheaper than air, with larger shipments attracting the biggest savings.
Philip Stephenson, chairman of Davies Turner commented: “Our import rail service from China to Europe has proven to be very popular and has become a great success. So we are now pleased to offer an export service through to China from our strategically located hubs at Birmingham, Bristol, Cumbernauld/Glasgow, Dartford, Manchester and Dublin.
“Both our import and export rail services offer fixed weekly departures with proven schedule reliability and we only utilise established rail services which have been running for a minimum of 12 months.”
This operation is offered in conjunction with Davies Turner’s long-standing partners in China and Germany. They have many years of experience moving freight on these and similar rail services.[/restrict]
Edited by Paul Ridgway
London
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Different businesses have different freight-related needs. For some, the timeliness of deliveries is crucial; for others, it is the cost of moving freight. The arrangements for perishable goods will be different from raw materials for manufacturing or parts for assembly, for example.
Road haulage, maritime and aviation sectors may need to take different steps to prepare for the effects, and harness the opportunities, of Brexit. But there has been little published analysis of sector-specific freight needs.
In a new inquiry launching on 26 April the House of Commons Transport Committee is offering freight operators and their diverse customers, the opportunity to specify these needs. Though the terms of reference are wide, the Committee hopes the sector will be also be forthcoming about the issues involved.
Although UK and EU negotiators have now agreed a Brexit transitional period to run until December 2020, the pressure is on to determine just what is required – and what can be delivered in the time available – for the smooth operation of freight in the longer term.
Launching the inquiry, the Chair of the Committee, Lilian Greenwood MP, commented: “We have heard a lot about customs arrangements, border controls, tariffs and trade deals. But we haven’t heard enough about transport infrastructure, policy and regulatory implications affecting freight operators and their customers. But from day one after Brexit, we will all expect our goods to turn up and for life to continue as normal.
“While the agreement of a transitional period to December 2020 is welcome, there remains a great deal of uncertainty for UK freight operators and their customers. The implications of Brexit will vary across freight modes and types of freight. We want the sector to tell us what’s worrying them. What is required to make this work?
“We want to cast our evidence-gathering net as wide as possible, then focus our attention on areas where government and industry actions will be most pressing, to prepare for both the challenges and opportunities of Brexit.”
Terms of reference
The House of Commons Transport Committee intends to examine the potential effects of Brexit on UK freight operations and assess the preparatory steps operators, their customers and the Government need to take.
The inquiry will not consider border and customs arrangements, trade deals or tariffs as these fall outside the Committee’s remit, but will look at the steps required to prepare for the challenges and opportunities of Brexit for UK freight, particularly through investment in transport infrastructure and changes to transport policy and regulation.
The Committee is particularly interested to receive written evidence addressing the following:
* The scale and nature of the challenges and opportunities Brexit will present to UK freight companies and their customers.
* The adequacy of steps being taken by freight companies, their representative bodies, their customers and the Government in preparation for the challenges and opportunities of Brexit.
* Mode and/or sector-specific requirements for additional Government funding, or other changes to Government funding plans, particularly in relation to transport infrastructure, to support the needs of freight; and
* Any new arrangements needed for the licencing, regulation and training of operators and workers in the freight sector after Brexit (including the adequacy of measures set out in the Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Bill).
The closing date for written submissions is 8 June 2018. Submissions should be sent by way of the inquiry page on the Committee’s website to be found by: CLICKING HERE
Committee Membership
Lilian Greenwood MP, Chair (Lab, Nottingham South);
Ronnie Cowan MP (SNP, Inverclyde);
Steve Double MP (Con, St Austell and Newquay);
Paul Girvan MP (DUP, South Antrim);
Huw Merriman MP (Con, Bexhill and Battle);
Grahame Morris MP (Labour, Easington);
Luke Pollard MP (Lab (Co-op), Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport);
Iain Stewart MP (Con, Milton Keynes South);
Graham Stringer MP (Lab, Blackley and Broughton);
Martin Vickers MP (Con, Cleethorpes);
Daniel Zeichner MP (Lab, Cambridge).
Guide for witnesses
Edited by Paul Ridgway
London
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FIRST DAMEN FAST CREW SUPPLIER WITH MOTION-COMPENSATED GANGWAY SYSTEM ENTERS SERVICE

First transfers took place in Gulf of Guinea in late March
The partnership between Damen Shipyards Group and Ampelmann to extend the benefits of motion-compensated gangway systems to fast crew supply vessels has reached a major landmark. At the end of March, the first Damen fast crew supply (FCS) vessel to be fitted with an Ampelmann L-type system began operations in the Gulf of Guinea. This marks a significant step forward in the move towards bringing the latest advances in safe and flexible marine access to a wider array of oil and gas operations.
Damen and Ampelmann have together been promoting their integrated solutions combining Damen’s FCS range and Ampelmann’s systems and now, thanks to the vision of Nigerian offshore services company LATC Marine and its client ExxonMobil Nigeria, the first has entered service.
An L-type Ampelmann motion-compensated gangway system has been fitted to a 50-metre Damen FCS 5009 that was already in operation with LATC Marine. The installation took place at Damen’s Nigerian service hub at Port Harcourt with Damen and Ampelmann working together to ensure a smooth integration.
Mr Gbolahan Shaba, COO at LATC Marine commented: “We are proud to have partnered with Damen and Ampelmann in delivering one of the most innovative solutions in the Nigerian upstream industry in recent years. We are especially pleased to see ExxonMobil as the first to embrace this in the Nigerian market after agreeing to trial the gangway on several of their platforms. Today, the Ampelmann system is fast becoming the company’s preferred mode of personnel transfer and we look forward to delivering additional units to them before the end of 2018.”
He continues, “LATC Marine has long been at the forefront of innovative marine service offerings, partnering with highly reputable organisations including Damen Shipyards and Clarksons Platou to deploy some of the most technologically advanced vessels to support several deep offshore drilling campaigns off Nigeria. With this first Ampelmann L-type system now in operation in Nigeria, the country’s upstream oil and gas industry is clearly trending in the right direction and we hope to continue to be a part of this. We remain committed to championing the campaign for safer offshore personnel transfer practices in Nigeria and look forward to deepening our partnership with Ampelmann and Damen in achieving this. Our desire is to see other upstream players in the country embrace this technology as well.”
David Inman, Business Development Manager Europe & Africa for Ampelmann, added: “Ampelmann is also proud to be part of the team delivering safe and efficient marine based access in Nigeria. This service-based delivery is a first for Nigeria and is part of our strategy to revolutionise the way we get our offshore workers where they make the difference. This couldn’t have been possible without having likeminded companies in LATC Marine and Damen who both share Ampelmann’s vision to make offshore access ‘as easy as crossing the street’.”

“At Damen, we are delighted to see the integrated Damen / Ampelmann marine access solution commercially operational for the first time,” observed David Stibbe, Business Development Manager. “We are especially pleased that the launch customers are a top-tier oil major in the form of ExxonMobil and an experienced operator such as LATC Marine. It was the ability of all four stakeholders to work together effectively that has made this project a success. It represents a major step change away from the traditional swing roping transfer technique used in this area, and we hope marks the start of a wider move towards safer and more efficient transfers in the region.”
The first commercial deployment of a Damen FCS 5009 with a retro-fitted Ampelmann motion-compensated gangway will also be of interest to the other existing operators of FCS 5009s. Around 40 are currently in operation around the world and this development opens up the possibility of others choosing to upgrade in a similar fashion. The new FCS 5009s that Damen holds in stock ready for outfitting and rapid delivery can now also be offered with Ampelmann’s L-type gangway as a proven option.
Damen’s new 70-metre FCS 7011 is additionally likely to benefit from the proof-of-concept effect. The 7011 has been designed to operate with the Ampelmann S-type motion-compensated gangway, and this news can only increase confidence in its future success as a game-changer in cost-effective, long-distance marine access.
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Port Louis – Indian Ocean gateway 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.

Mediterranean Shipping Company’s 8,089-TEU container ship MSC BEIJING (IMO 9289089) arrived in Durban harbour on 25 April. The 105,034-dwt ship, which was built in 2005 at the Hanjin Heavy Industries Shipyard in Pusan, South Korea, is 325-metres in length and 43m wide. MSC Beijing is owned by German interests and managed by Reederei Claus-Peter Offen GmbH & Co KG of Hamburg, Germany. This picture is by Trevor Jones
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“Our sweetest hopes rise blooming.
And then again are gone,
They bloom and fade alternate,
And so it goes rolling on.
I know it, and it troubles
My life, my love, my rest,
My heart is wise and witty,
And it bleeds within my breast.
– Heinrich Heine, “A New Spring,” 1826, Pictures of Travel, translated from German by Charles Godfrey Leland
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