
TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS
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- First View : THOR FRIGG
- Boost for Mombasa Port as four Eco Hoppers arrive
- Oil tanker Alice breaks in half while at anchor off Tema
- New ratings training expands maritime sector job opportunities for SA youth
- Douala port had big decrease in profit margin for 2017
- ONE is not a consortium ‘like the other lines’
- Weather affects KZN ports of Richards Bay and Durban
- UN Aid ship attacked off Yemen, fire in engineroom
- The world’s largest offshore wind farm-ABB to equip high-spec service operations vessel
- Project Forward for developing new generation of bulk carriers
- Expected Ship Arrivals and Ships in Port
- Cruise News and Naval Activities
- Pics of the Day : ITAL LUNARE
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The impressive lines of the purpose-built escort and support vessel, also described as the research vessel THOR FRIGG (IMO 9679048) makes for pleasant viewing as she enters port at Durban. It appears that she is currently employed with the offshore hydrographic work being undertaken by the seismic research vessel RAMFORM SOVEREIGN (IMO 9390460) in investigating the waters off the KZN coast for oil and gas – a venture that has raised more than a passing interest among activists and environmental pressure groups and other citizens opposed to any such activity along this section of coast. We are overcome by temptation to ask whether those well-meaning folk who spoke out so strongly against this activity off the KZN coast, used their bicycles to the recent public protest or whether they drove in petrol-burning motor cars to the meeting?
Thor Frigg has a length of 64 metres and a beam of 15m and operates with a draught of 4.5 metres. She was built in 2015 at the Besiktas Shipyard in Turkey and is owned by Thor Ltd, a shipping company located in Hósvík, a natural harbour close to Tórshavn the capital of the Faroe Islands. This picture is by Keith Betts
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BOOST FOR MOMBASA PORT AS FOUR ECO HOPPERS ARRIVE

The Port of Mombasa received a boost on Saturday (2 June) with the arrival in port of four eco hoppers.
The hoppers, supplied by Samson Materials Handling Limited are the first of their kind not only in Kenya but also the entire East and Central Africa region, reports TradeMark East Africa (TMEA), which funded the hoppers through the UK government’s International Climate Fund (ICF) at a total cost of Kshs 623.21 Million (US$ 6.2 Million).
TMEA has supported port improvements particularly in mitigation and adaptation to climatic change impacts through the Mombasa Resilient Infrastructure Programme (MRIP) which is financed fully by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). The program aims to transform the port of Mombasa into a modern and competitive regional hub that is more productive with efficient operations in a sustainable environment.
Successful delivery and discharge of the eco hoppers completes in part the implementation plan of the Green Port Policy developed and adopted in 2014/15.
Currently, there are no portal cranes for handling dry bulk cargo and ships use their own winches at the Port of Mombasa. The use of ship cranes is slow, leading to long berthing periods of 5 days per ship and higher costs to the vessel operators, and ultimately consumers. This causes long waiting times for trucks waiting to be loaded, which on average lasts 3-4 hours.
The arrival of the hoppers will empower the Port to handle two vessels at a time instead of the present one. The hoppers will be designed to suit the characteristics and flow properties of virtually any bulk material, from coal to clinker, sulphur to iron ore. The eco hoppers will provide dust and spillage-free unloading through a dust control system that minimizes escape of dust during discharge and reduces running expenses on average by 30%.
The Eco Hoppers will complement mobile harbour cranes for dry bulk cargo handling.
This will lead to a reduction in average actual ship time in port for bulk vessels to an average of 2.9 days compared 5 days enabling Kenya Ports Authority to achieve the 4 days ship turnaround time target for bulk vessels stipulated within the Mombasa Port Community Charter.
In addition, improved sanitation, better energy and effective emission controls will also empower KPA to attain the International Maritime Organisation goal of reducing CO2 emissions by a maximum of 75% on existing and new ships through technical and operational measures by 2050. This is an International Maritime Organisation requirement under IMO 2009/2010.
The proposed efficiency gains will catalyse a savings in port charges estimated at US$30,000 per day for large vessels calling at Mombasa Port and eliminate ship demurrage (ship detention charges) payable by cargo receivers.
The Government of Kenya has made it a priority to continually invest in infrastructural development of the Port of Mombasa and made progress in the modernisation of the Port. Some of the key projects include the construction of the phase 1 of the Second Container Terminal which increased the port’s annual capacity by 550,000 TEUs, the construction of Berth No. 19, and the dredging of the entrance channel which has enabled the Port to handle larger vessels.
TMEA has been working closely with KPA to implement short-term and high impact projects including the improvement of Gate 18/20 which enhanced Port access as well as the upgrading of Yard 5 which increased capacity at the Port.
KPA through support from TradeMark East Africa has developed a green port policy which seeks to position the Port of Mombasa as a leading world port providing sound stewardship and management of the environment affected by port operations. The strategy highlights the need to place people first, while addressing the negative impacts occasioned by port operations as well placing a premium on technology-rich and sustainable port operations. source TMEA
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OIL TANKER ALICE BREAKS IN HALF WHILE AT ANCHOR OFF TEMA

An ageing coastal oil tanker named ALICE has broken its back while at anchor off the Ghanaian port of Tema, spilling an unknown amount of oil; into the sea.
Another tanker nearby stopped and picked up the crew of 13 consisting of 11 Nigerians and two Ghanaians.
The vessel is loaded with 1200 tonnes of light crude.
The tanker’s back was broken on Saturday night,…[restrict] 12 May but the news has only recently become more widely known. Sometime after the initial break the ship split in two, with one half remaining secured by the anchor while the other half drifted away in the direction of the harbour entrance.
According to port security manager Lt Col Joseph Punamane tugs secured the section of the tanker that was drifting clear and positioned where it was not a danger to other shipping.
Port authorities have also managed to pump all the oil on board the stricken tanker onto other vessels, reducing the risk of pollution damage.
There was no obvious cause for the tanker to break in half other than possibly poor maintenance but this has not been confirmed.
MT Alice is registered in the Bahamas. Colonel Punamane said that this is the first time an accident of this nature has been recorded at the anchorage off the Tema port, or for that matter anywhere else in Ghanaian waters. source: GPHA[/restrict]
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NEW RATINGS TRAINING EXPANDS MARITIME JOB SECTOR OPPORTUNTIES FOR SA YOUTH

The launch in Port Elizabeth of a new national ratings practical training for aspirant seafarers is among new and ongoing initiatives to expand the skills base in the country’s maritime sector, thereby giving more youth opportunities, according to the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
The launch of the practical aspect of the ratings training took place at the port of Port Elizabeth on Thursday when the first group of 20 youths – 11 males and nine females – boarded the SA Agulhas to join in on its two weeks ocean sojourn on the Indian Ocean on a scientific research mission.
The SA Agulhas, the country’s dedicated cadet training vessel under the command of SAMSA, will be sailing some 300 km out at sea along the eastern coast of South Africa, heading from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town on a charter to the SA Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF).
The scientific research mission will involve retrieval of data from a number of scientific buoys deployed in the coastal waters to monitor the Agulhas current and its role in climate change.
It is the first of two missions in 2018 for the SA Agulhas and for which it was recently dry-docked for fine tuning as well as refurbishing at the port of East London.
The scientific research missions for which the vessel is chartered offer an excellent opportunity also for the country’s growing cadre of young cadets undergoing training to become qualified seafarers.
This time around, focus by SAIMI along with its partners including training services providers, has been focused on practical training for ratings – a new category of skills development for aspirant seafarers that is being piloted and aimed at growing the pool of employable South African seafarers.

The ratings training is funded by the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA). According to SAIMI, the 20 youths that boarded the SA Agulhas on Thursday are part of a group of 45 candidates in the pilot project.
In a joint media statement, SAIMI chief executive officer Professor Malek Pourzanjani said getting a project of this nature off the ground was the result of strong partnerships and collaboration, involving both public and private sector role-players and training providers.

“Special mention should be made of TETA as the funder and SAMSA as the owner of the vessel for providing this valuable opportunity for the trainees to gain sea-time,” he said.
Malcolm Alexander, TETA’s maritime education training and development practitioner, said: “We are pleased to see this pilot training project taking shape with the trainees being able to gain practical experience at sea aboard the SA Agulhas. The project expands TETA’s involvement in maritime sector education and training at a practical skill level and is a positive for the maritime sector and oceans economy growth.”
“It also grows the pool of South African seafarers available for local and global employment.”
According to SAIMI, the current group of trainees is being managed by the South African Maritime Training Academy (SAMTRA) and the Sea Safety Training Group.
Marine Crew Services is also a partner to the project, having agreed to place trainees in their managed fleets for further training.
The next phase of the project, according to SAIMI, will entail building the capacity of TVET (Technical Vocational Education & Training) Colleges to offer the training.

Weighing on the project, SAMSA Chief Operating Officer, Sobantu Tilayi (pictured) described the initiative as forward looking.
“As part of our commitment to address the high unemployment rate, this rating training provides a wider scope of maritime training and skills development.
“It addresses the gap for career opportunities. Young people would be able to find jobs in areas such as maintenance of the vessels, its equipment and gear, in rigging and deploying equipment, and handling and securing cargo.” he said.
Mr Tilayi said the SA Agulhas which SAMSA owns and manages, was particularly well suited for its training role, and its recent refurbishments at the dry dock was testimony to its strength and calibre.
By supporting the hands-on aspects of maritime training, the project partners are contributing to skills development as outlined in the South African government’s Operation Phakisa plan to fast-track the growth and development of the oceans economy, he said.

Video below [6:17] Launch of ratings training:
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DOULA PORT HAS BIG DECREASE IN PROFIT MARGIN FOR 2017

The Cameroon Port of Douala has seen a dramatic decrease in profits during 2017.
According to figures released the Douala autonomous port saw its profit margin decrease by 50% for the past year, realising CFA455.5 million (US$810,000).
In 2016 the port managed a profit of CFA940.5 million.
Douala’s Port Director, Cyrus Ngo’o the reason for…[restrict] the drop relates to the economic environment experienced during 2017 and to what he called the lack of fluidity inside the port.
He pointed out that the port was designed and built in 1980 to handle a capacity of about 7 million tons of cargo but was now handling in excess of 11 million tons annually, despite there having been no major investment to increase the port’s capacity.
Ngo’o said that the port intended an ambitious investment programme during 2018 which would assist with moving the traffic. Among the projects planned is the removal of shipwrecks from the dock of the fishing port, the acquisition of a new 3,000 cubic metre capacity dredger and the rehabilitation of another dredger, the Chantal Biya.
The port’s capacity will be improved with the building of a 750 metre quay at Bonaberi and a dolphin berth for liquid bulk tankers. source: Business in Cameroon[/restrict]
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ONE IS NOT A CONSORTIUM ‘LIKE THE OTHER LINES’

In yesterday’s article you state that ONE is a consortium like the other lines.
I believe that is not correct, since other lines are all scheduling their services in vessel sharing agreements, but they do not form a separate company, e.g. MSC and Maersk.
The only group of lines that ever formed a separate new company were Wilhelmsen, East Asiatic Co, Brostroem’s Swedish East Asiatic (Seaco) and later Nedlloyd Lines joined – later again CGT and MISC. They operated as one company under the banner of ScanDutch.
Perhaps one can also argue that OCL was such entity as well as ACT, now having disappeared into history.
Modern container shipping is all to do with vessel sharing agreements (or slot-charterers) where pricing, steering and tracking of containers remains in the hands of the individual lines.
regards
Theo Strauss
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WEATHER AFFECTS KZN PORTS OF RICHARDS BAY AND DURBAN

Marine operations at the two KZN ports of Richards Bay and Durban, 100 nautical miles apart, have been affected by a sudden change in the weather which saw strong winds and heavy swells build up in a relatively short period of time.
Strong winds at this time of year along the KZN coast are not usual.
In Durban on Sunday night a south-westerly buster blew up and…[restrict] in the early hours of the morning the port authority issued a notice saying that the wind of 35 knots and weather conditions had resulted in limited marine movements. A second notice later advised that the wind had dropped to gusting at 30 knots but the restriction of ship movements was continuing.
With the effects of the 10 October 2017 storm still fresh in mind the port authority is being understandingly cautious – MSC Ines which was blown off her moorings and became wedged in the harbour entrance, remains in port undergoing repairs and maintenance and acting as a constant reminder that Mother Nature can never be under-estimated. By coincidence another ship that was blown off her berth at the same time, MSC Susanna, happened to be in port on a routine visit.
Further up the coast the same winds reached Richards Bay gusting to 30 knots, according to a port statement. Off the entrance channel sea swells of 4 metres were being experienced, which made the admission of ships, particularly the larger bulk carriers, dangerous and port operations were suspended.
The winds have remained blowing along the coast for most of yesterday (Monday) and into the evening.[/restrict]
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UN AID SHIP ATTACKED OFF YEMEN, FIRE IN ENGINEROOM

A ship carrying UN aid came under attack on Sunday while at anchor about 60 km off the coast of Yemen, opposite the port of Hodeidah, it has emerged.
The 59-metre offshore supply vessel VOS THEIA (IMO 9585742) was attacked at 17h30 local time by what is…[restricted] suspected to be elements of the Houthi movement who are in occupation of that part of Yemen. The attack came from a skiff which opened fire, presumably using RPGs. They then attempted to board but were unsuccessful.
Earlier the Vos Theia had sailed from Hodeidah after delivering a cargo of UN aid products and was at anchor not far from the island of Zubair awaiting permission to depart from the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iranian-supported Houthi forces.
A small fire was started in the engine room but was safely extinguished and the ship was apparently able to sail on her own account. There are no reports of any injuries.
On 10 May this year a Turkish ship carryng 50,000-tons of UN Aid wheat to Yemen, Ince Inebolu, was attacked and damaged by a rocket grenade that struck the side of the vessel as Ince Inebolu was about 70 miles off the Red Sea port of Salif in Yemen. Damage was slight and the attack not pressed home.[/restricted]
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ABB to equip high-spec service operations vessel
Maritime transportation group Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) will add a second 83 metre loa windfarm service operation vessel to its fleet, featuring an extensive range of ABB’s technology, with the award-winning power distribution system Onboard DC GridT™ at its core. This vessel will support operations at Hornsea Project Two (see North Sea chartlet here2) off the UK’s east coast, which, upon completion in 2022, will become the world’s biggest wind farm capable of powering over 1.3 million homes. This was reported at the end of May.
ABB’s Onboard DC Grid™ enables simple, flexible and functional integration of energy sources, such as…[restrict] batteries and fuel cells, and empowers the efficiencies associated with variable speed generator operation.
In addition to Onboard DC Grid™, the ABB scope of supply includes tunnel thrusters, generators, transformers, batteries, ABB Ability™ Marine Advisory System – OCTOPUS and ABB’s Remote Diagnostics Services, it is understood. ABB will also provide its Power and Energy Management System (PEMS), which allows battery power to act as backup for running generators, again cutting the need to run spare capacity, and reducing maintenance and fuel consumption in the long-term.
In the words of Hervé Lapierre, LDA’s Head of Newbuilding Department: “LDA is positioning itself at the forefront of the wind farm service sector in vessel performance and efficiency. Wind farm service requirements are still evolving, meaning that SOVs built for this market, in addition to being cost-effective, need to also be innovative and flexible.”
Onboard DC Grid™ solution enables variable speed technology to dynamically optimize system energy use in line with the load situation, which results in a 20% cut in fuel consumption. Power from the dual batteries on board will be introduced to maximize efficiency, and the energy stored can come from a variety of sources, including renewables. DC distribution also provides a unique platform for digital solutions, so that data from equipment sensors can be transmitted between systems instantaneously, and bridge or shore-based systems can monitor and optimize vessel performance.
Juha Koskela, Managing Director, ABB Marine & Ports commented in conclusion: “The second order from LDA feels like a validation of the performance, cost efficiency and safety that ABB delivers through its Electric. Digital Connected approach. We are proud to deliver the technology that enables the use of stored energy for a vessel supporting the renewables industry.”
Designed by Salt Ship Design, this vessel will be built at Turkey’s CEMRE Shipyard. Like its predecessor, ordered in 2017, the second LDA vessel will be on contract with Ørsted A/S, the largest energy company in Denmark.[/restrict]

Edited by Paul Ridgway
London
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PROJECT FORWARD FOR DEVELOPING NEW GENERATION OF BULK CARRIERS
Wärtsilä Corporation’s Eniram signs MoU
Eniram, a Wärtsilä company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Athens-based Arista Shipping to participate in the Project Forward initiative, which is led by Arista.
This project has developed a dry bulk carrier that features an unprecedented high level of energy efficiency, it is reported. The carrier’s design is based on LNG- fuelled propulsion. Eniram’s contribution will be…[restrict] to assist in the development of monitoring and optimisation tools.
Eniram was selected to participate based on its strong track record and in-house competences in the utilisation of ship data and modelling to provide accurate recommendations for improving efficiency. The vessel design will enable compliance with all known, applicable, and anticipated regulations proposed by the IMO. These include the Energy Efficiency Design Index 2025, SOx post 2020, and NOx Tier III without any after treatment.
Giannis Moraitakis, E&A Business & Sales Development Manager, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions, commented: “We are delighted to be a part of this exciting project, which will create a vessel with levels of performance and sustainability needed as the marine industry enters a new era. Our input will help ensure that operational visibility will be maximised, and that the new ships can operate at optimal efficiency.”

Antonis Trakakis, Technical Manager, Arista Shipping, added: “Project Forward represents a milestone for the shipping industry, since it brings a substantial discontinuity to traditional ship design and performance. The project establishes LNG as a global marine fuel, and we welcome Eniram’s involvement. They have proven expertise in energy management technology, and this know-how will be of great importance. The aim of the project is to arrive at a fully elaborated decision support tool, which will be extremely valuable in enabling us to predict, monitor, optimise, and also demonstrate the actual performance of the vessels.”
Wärtsilä is also a part of the project team because of its experience and leading technologies in LNG propulsion.
It is understood that the propulsion design concept is to be based on a novel arrangement featuring just two highly efficient Wärtsilä 31DF dual-fuel engines without additional generator sets. Other parties involved include Finnish ship designer Deltamarin, the Houston-based American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), and GTT, the French LNG membrane containment system designer.
Arista Shipping has signed a Letter of Intent with Yangzijiang Shipbuilding (YZJ) to build a series of up to 20 bulk carriers to the new design.[/restrict]
Edited by Paul Ridgway
London
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QM2 in Cape Town. Picture by Ian Shiffman
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The container ship ITAL LUNARE (IMO 9322499) seen arriving in Durban harbour on 27 May this year. The 68,009-dwt ship with a length of 294 metres and a beam of 32m was built in 2007 at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in South Korea as hull number 155. She is owned by Delphic Shipping and operated by Evergreen Shipping. Her maximum container capacity is 5060 TEU. These pictures are by Trevor Jones
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