TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS
Click on headline to go direct to story : use the BACK key to return
- First View : SEASPAN LINGUE
- ONE expects to boost business in Africa through competitive customer service
- Foreign seafarers in medical rescue mission to East London
- HMAS Warramunga scores again… and again… and again
- President Ramaphosa invited to G7 Summit for oceans protection
- SAMSA recognizes World Oceans Day with Durban Open Day
- Bunker supplier Aegean Petroleum shares crash after US$200 million write-off report
- Historic Mozambique Island to rebuild sea wall
- Long Beach named best green seaport worldwide
- Expected Ship Arrivals and Ships in Port
- Cruise News and Naval Activities
- Pics of the Day : THOR MAXIMUS
SEND NEWS REPORTS AND PRESS RELEASES TO
info@africaports.co.za
News continues below
On charter for up to 12 months to CMA CGM, the container ship SEASPAN LINGUE (IMO 9443475) is seen here sailing from the Port of Durban on 1 June 2018. Built in 2010 by the Jiangsu Shipyard in China, the 50,435-dwt ship is 261 metres long and 32m wide and has a container capacity of 4,250 TEU. Seaspan claims to be the largest independent charter owner and manager of containerships with over 100 ships. The company operates from offices in Hong Kong, Canada, India, China and South Korea. This picture is by Trevor Jones
News continues below
ONE EXPECTS TO BOOST BUSINESS IN AFRICA THROUGH COMPETITIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE
When Mitsui OSK Line (MOL), NYK and K Line merged their container business last year to form ONE (Ocean Network Express) the purpose was to boost competitiveness.
The three largest Japanese shipping companies were also following a global trend of consolidation of container lines, especially those operating on the busiest trade lanes.
For the three Japanese container operators the intention is to offer this consolidated service on all trades worldwide, and in that respect ONE says it will be looking to Africa to help boost business.
ONE is operating in five key global regions, of which Europe and Africa is one. The other four regions are East Asia, South Asia, North America and Latin America.
Each of these regions is headed by a regional executive and the man in charge of Europe and Africa is former MOL executive, Jotaro Tamura.
ONE now provides a combined container fleet equivalent of 1.4 million TEU and offers 85 service loops and links more than 200 of the world’s major ports. The line ranks 6th in terms of fleet size.
Tamaru says that the most important effect of combining the three lines is that it creates greater scale of merit and competitiveness.
“Competition is the key challenge for the global shipping market, which is exactly why the three lines came to the conclusion to form ONE. The competition is not region-specific.”
Tamaru points out that in addition to being able to compete more effectively as a single combined company, ONE is now presented with more opportunities in the European and African markets and allows ONE to extend its coverage in Africa.
He said that while the three lines each had a presence in each region Africa, ONE will now be able to offer complete coverage of east, south and west Africa, and because ONE is relatively small in this region will have opportunities to grow.
Individually the three lines were unable to provide this total coverage. As an example, previously the only line out of the three that operated in West Africa was MOL. “We are really capable of providing service to customers compared to our competitors,” he said. source: Container Shipping & Trade
News continues below
FOREIGN SEAFARERS IN MEDICAL RESCUE MISSION TO EAST LONDON
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) was called on yesterday to coordinate a medical rescue mission, in which two Filipino sailors who were injured on board the bulk carrier, KS FLORA, were airlifted to hospital in East London. The ship was then approximately 81 kilometres from the Eastern Cape port.
The Marshal Island-registered vessel had left Algoa Bay (Ngqura) bound for Muara Port in Brunei. According to information obtained by SAMSA’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, based in Cape Town, the two crew were injured when the vessel experienced bad weather. One crewman suffered a severe left knee injury and the other suffered a severe fracture to the left foot.
Jared Blows, SAMSA’s MRCC Chief said…[restrict] rescue coordination was immediately activated.
“We requested our RSC East London team to connect the vessel to the Metro doctor for him to make a medical judgment on the condition of the two crew. The doctor advised that one of the crew should be evacuated as soon as possible and he suggested air evacuation.”
MRCC dispatched a South African Air Force 15 Squadron Charlie Flight BK117 helicopter which is stationed at Port Elizabeth. Joining the flight were an NSRI rescue swimmer accompanied by an EC Government Health EMS rescue paramedic.
By the time of the rendezvous between the helicopter and the ship, KS FLORA was approximately seven nautical miles from shore. A 15 to 20 knot Easterly wind was blowing and there was a sea swell of between 3 to 4 metres.
In an operation lasting 40 minutes, during which time the helicopter flew around the ship in a holding pattern, both patients were stabilised onboard.
The patient with the fractured leg was secured into a Baumann’s basket stretcher and hoisted into the helicopter and the patient with the ankle injury was hoisted aboard the helicopter in a strop accompanied by the NSRI rescue swimmer.
By 17h00 yesterday, both men had been safely evacuated and taken to St Dominic’s Hospital in East London for treatment. The aircraft then returned to Port Elizabeth.
The condition of the two injured men was described as stable.
The ship proceeded back on her course bound for Muara Port. Blows thanked all parties involved in the rescue, including Transnet Port Authority, National Sea Rescue Institute and the SAAF for their good work.
“We acted decisively and, together, with all parties, managed to bring the men to safety, to administer them medical attention,” Blows said.
The MRCC is fully functional and operates 24/7 with the focus primarily of the safety of life at sea.[/restrict]
News continues below
HMAS WARRAMUNGA SCORES AGAIN… AND AGAIN… AND AGAIN
Those responsible for sending illegal drugs by dhow and other local shipping across the Arabian Sea to Africa must be sick of the name HMAS WARRAMUNGA.
The Australian Navy frigate has already run up an impressive record of intercepting drug hauls running into millions of dollars and this week, the ship scored not just once, but three times in three days.
HMAS Warramunga forms part of Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) which has just passed to a UK-led team.
The Australian ship has made an incredible 16 drug busts at sea, intercepting stateless vessels for examination and then confiscating any illegal substances found which are examined and recorded before being destroyed at sea.
This past week the ship’s hauls over…[restrict] three days amounted to nearly 6 tons of hashish.
CTF 150 is a multi-national naval force accompanied by reconnaissance aircraft operating from land or the patrolling ships’ own helicopters. Leadership of the force rotates among the nations taking part.
Disrupting the flow of narcotics across the Indian Ocean is a key part of CTF150’s mission to prevent illicit activity on the high seas and ensure that freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce can be maintained. It shows CTF150 can, and does, contribute to undermining the capabilities of terrorist organisations by starving them of the funding necessary for them to conduct their attacks.
“Notwithstanding the change of command, it remains business as usual for CTF150 as we continue our important and enduring mission to ensure that the Western Indian Ocean remains the sole preserve of legitimate seafarers,” said Commodore Moorhouse, CTF150 Commander.
“CTF150’s resolve is as strong as ever and HMAS Warramunga’s continued success in seizing narcotics, with her total now standing at 16 successful interdictions, is a testament to the determination and professionalism of her Ship’s Company,” he said.[/restrict]
News continues below
PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA INVITED TO G7 SUMMIT FOR OCEANS PROTECTION
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa will this weekend participate in the G7 Leaders’ Summit Outreach.
The President has been invited by the host of the G7 Leaders’ Summit, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, under the theme ‘Healthy, productive and resilient oceans and seas, coasts and communities’.
The two-day session will start with a dinner for the outreach leaders on Friday and the summit will be held on Saturday in Quebec, Canada.
President Ramaphosa will also participate…[restrict] in a working session at Le Manoir Richelieu in La Malbaie in the Charlevoix region, followed by a working lunch.
President Ramaphosa’s participation in the G7 Leaders’ Summit Outreach coincides with his drive to attract investment to grow the economy, create jobs and address poverty and inequality in South Africa.
The focus of the G7 outreach theme on healthy and productive oceans is in line with the goals outlined in South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP). Furthermore, it speaks to South Africa’s efforts to stimulate economic growth and job creation by unlocking the oceans economy through Operation Phakisa.
South Africa has a sprawling coastline of 3,924 kilometres and government is of the view that the ocean and its resources form an integral part of the development mix.
“There has been a realisation that South Africa’s long-term development goals cannot be reliant solely on land-based resources. Development of the coastal space has been largely untapped and holds the potential to add an additional one million jobs and contribute up to US$13,6bn (R177 billion) to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country,” the Presidency said.
South Africa seeks to achieve these goals through Operation Phakisa (a Sesotho meaning “hurry up”), which has also been adopted as part of government’s economic transformation agenda.
The six focus areas identified under Operation Phakisa are Marine Transport and Manufacturing, Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Marine Protected Areas and Ocean Governance, Aquaculture, Marine and Coastal Tourism, and Small Harbours and Coastal Property Development.
The Presidency said South Africa remains dedicated to sustainable development in its pursuit of the oceans economy and the G7 Leaders’ Summit Outreach provides an opportunity for the country to contribute globally to the management of the oceans, seas and coastal areas within an integrated environmental, economic and social approach.
During the visit, President Ramaphosa who will be accompanied by a business delegation, will also engage with investors and business people in Toronto.
The G7 consists of Canada, the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy.
Other states whose leaders have been invited to participate in the Leaders’ Summit Outreach include Kenya, Senegal, Rwanda, Seychelles, Haiti, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Samoa, Argentina, Norway and Jamaica.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, United Nations and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will also be in attendance. – SAnews.gov.za[/restrict]
News continues below
SAMSA RECOGNISES WORLD OCEANS DAY WITH DURBAN OPEN DAY
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) says that it is critical that shipping has a minimal negative impact on the ocean and atmospheric environment.
Tomorrow (Friday), 8 June is World Oceans Day, the theme of which is
Preventing plastic pollution and encouraging solutions for a healthy ocean.
In commemorating this event, SAMSA is holding an exhibition at the Durban Cruise Terminal in N-Shed, promoting safe seas and clean oceans. This coincides with the SA AGULHAS 11 Open Day with the research ship alongside and open to the public. The event is being hosted by the Department of Environmental Affairs.
To deliver on its mandate to prevent pollution from ships, SAMSA, as South Africa’s maritime authority, is charged with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which covers prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes.
It is a treaty adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to prevent and minimise pollution from shipping.
“People rely on shipping every single day, as the most cost-effective and fuel-efficient way to transport essential raw materials, commodities and consumer goods. Thus, we have to make sure that shipping has a minimal negative impact on the ocean and atmospheric environment,” says Sobantu Tilayi, Chief Operating Officer for SAMSA.
MARPOL addresses pollution by oil from ships; noxious liquid substances, such as chemicals, carried in bulk; harmful substances carried in packaged form; sewage discharges into the sea and the disposal at sea of ship-generated garbage.
South Africa has a robust safety and pollution response framework and is a leader in much of the science and development associated with combatting pollution on the continent, Tilayi said.
He said the IMO has already adopted mandatory measures aimed at reducing pollution.
SAMSA believes that a safe, sustainable, and competitive transportation framework is essential to Africa’s prosperity and competitiveness in the shipping sector which accounts for 90% of goods transported around the world.
“This must be achieved in a sustainable manner that respects the importance of the ocean. We are poised to ensure waterways are managed safely and effectively, and to establish low-impact trade corridors on the land and the sea that enable international and domestic trade safely and efficiently,” says Tilayi.
MARPOL also recognizes the need for more stringent requirements to manage and protect so-called Special Areas, due to their ecology and their sea traffic.
This recognition of special areas, alongside global regulation including regulation here in South Africa, is a clear indication of a strong awareness of – and total commitment to – the fundamental importance of protecting and preserving the world’s seas and oceans as vital life support systems for all people.
The Antarctic has enjoyed Special Area status since 1992. Oily discharges into the sea and garbage disposal overboard are totally prohibited. In addition, a total ban on the carriage or use of heavy fuel oils took effect on 1 August 2011.
News continues below
BUNKER SUPPLIER AEGEAN PETROLEUM SHARES CRASH AFTER US$200 MILLION WRITE-OFF REPORT
Shares in the NYSE-listed international bunker supplier Aegean Marine Petroleum network crashed heavily by over 75% on Tuesday following reports that Aegean will most likely have to write off US$200 million in questionable transactions.
Among the many regions in which it has a presence, Aegean operates South Africa’s only offshore bunker fuel supply service from Port Elizabeth.
The announcement by Aegean of a possible write-off came on Monday and this followed the results of…[restrict] an Audit Committee internal review into Aegean’s annual financial statements for 2017.
This indicated outstanding unrecoverable accounts totalling almost $200 million and going back to at least 2015.
There is a suggestion that the transactions leading to the possible write-off may have been unlawful.
“The transactions that gave rise to the accounts receivable may have been, in full or in part, without economic substance and improperly accounted for in contravention of the Company’s normal policies and procedures,” Aegean’s said in its statement.
It added that at this time it was unable to determine the full impact on the financial statements or how they will be recorded. The review and investigation into the affected transactions are continuing.
Tradewinds reported this morning (Thursday) that shares in Aegean bounced back strongly yesterday by 62 per cent following the crash of the day before.
Some observers are drawing comparisons with OW Bunker, at the time the world’s largest supplier of bunker fuel, which did not survive the revelation that some of its employees were alleged to have been involved in a $125 million bunker fraud. The Danish company filed for bankruptcy within 48 hours of the revelation in 2014.
The Greek-owned and based Aegean is reported in Wikipedia as operating in 33 markets, including America, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Cyprus, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Denmark, Bulgaria, Russia, Serbia, The Netherlands, Romania, Turkey, Switzerland, South Africa, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, Singapore, Morocco, Gibraltar, Fujairah, Cape Verde, Panama, The United Arab Emirates, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and The Canary Islands.[/restrict]
News continues below
HISTORIC MOZAMBIQUE ISLAND TO REBUILD SEA WALL
Historic Mozambique Island – Ilha de Moçambique – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991 in the north of Mozambique (which takes its name from the island), will be receiving approximately US$514,000 (31 million meticais) for the reconstruction of its sea wall, which has been damaged by recent cyclones and resultant heavy seas.
Mozambique’s Council of Ministers announced the news this week.
The amount is to be channelled through the Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development’s National Fund for Sustainable Development to the municipal council of the City of the Island of Mozambique, said Deputy Minister of Education Armindo Ngunga.
He was speaking in his capacity as spokesperson after a session of the Council of Ministers (cabinet) in Maputo.
“The money is meant to minimise the socio-economic impact of the degradation of the sea wall,” he said.
The sea wall shows signs of degradation following several cyclones and othe3r weather related issues.
Just three kilometres in length and crescent-shaped, the island was for four centuries the capital and main trading centre for the Portuguese on the long coast of Mozambique. The island boasts a number of historical monuments, the most notable of which is the magnificent San Sebastian Fortress that dates back to the 16th century.
Vasco da Gama landed there in 1498 and established a stopover on the trade route between Portugal and India. The island was already a trading centre for many hundreds of years for the Omani Arabs and for traders who sailed to East Africa from India and beyond, long before the arrival of the first Europeans.
Today it has city status in the province of Nampula, in the north of Mozambique. The island is approached by road and by sea – MSC Cruises and one or two other cruise companies call here during the summer months. The island itself is a coral formation in Mossuril Bay, two miles off the north-eastern coast of the mainland, to which it is joined by a long narrow concrete causeway. Ilha de Moçambique has a population of about 1600 of who most live in Macuti Town in the south of the island. In the north is Stone Town, full of architectural and historical interest.
LONG BEACH NAMED AS BEST GREEN SEAPORT WORLDWIDE
International award recognizes Port’s environmental achievements
It was reported on 1 June that the Port of Long Beach had been recognised recently as the Best Green Seaport in the world at the 32nd annual Asian Freight & Supply Chain Awards hosted in Shanghai by the Asia Cargo News shipping trade publication.
The Port of Long Beach, known as the Green Port, has succeeded in dramatically reducing its environmental impact.
Adopted in 2005, Long Beach’s Green Port Policy has led to significant improvements in air and water quality from initiatives such as…[restrict] the Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) and the Technology Advancement Program (TAP). The newly updated CAAP identifies strategies to further reduce pollution from every source and accelerate progress towards a zero-emissions future.
In the words of Long Beach Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum: “The Port of Long Beach is thrilled to be named the Best Green Seaport. This award reflects the continuing serious commitment of our Board of Harbor Commissioners and staff to improving air and water quality, and serving as a model of environmental sustainability for seaports around the world.”
Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero commented: “We have shown at the Port of Long Beach that environmental progress goes hand in hand with operational excellence, and that a green port is an efficient, competitive port. We are pleased to be recognized for our efforts in making a greener planet.”
The Green Seaport honour of the Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain Awards is reserved for ports that have ‘demonstrated compliance with green freight transport regulations and environmental standards; investment in green initiatives, technology and action plans; incorporation of environmental requirements in strategic planning; use of a policy on reducing fuel emissions from freight handling operations; and ongoing training of staff in green initiatives and in measures to lower carbon footprints.’
It is reported that the awards are based on an annual poll of thousands of professionals in freight transportation services. Awards also are given in many other categories, including best shipping lines, container terminals, air cargo terminals, airports and railroad companies.
The Port of Long Beach is one of the world’s premier seaports, a gateway for trans-Pacific trade and a trailblazer in goods movement and environmental stewardship. With 175 shipping lines connecting Long Beach to 217 seaports, the Port handles $180 billion in trade annually, supporting hundreds of thousands of Southern California jobs.[/restrict]
Edited by Paul Ridgway
London
News continues below
GENERAL NEWS REPORTS – UPDATED THROUGH THE DAY
in partnership with – APO
News continues below
TO ADVERTISE HERE
Request a Rate Card from info@africaports.co.za
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.
You can access this information, including the list of ports covered, by going HERE remember to use your BACKSPACE to return to this page.
News continues below
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.
Any ship with such an impressive-sounding name as THOR MAXIMUS (IMO 9291391) would have to be big and solid of appearance and perhaps a bulk carrier suitably qualifies. Thor Maximus is owned by Thoresen Shipping of Singapore, where the ship is flagged, and is managed by Thoresen out of their Bangkok, Thailand offices. The 55,695-dwt vessel is 190 metres in length and 32,2m wide and was built in 2005 at the Oshima Shipbuilding yard in Saikai, Japan. Previous names carried by this ship are not quite so awe-inspiring – POS HARMONY when launched and later TOP HARMONY for a nine month charter period from August 2013. These pictures were taken by Keith Betts in April as the vessel departed from Durban
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach; one can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.”
― Anne Morrow Lindbergh
ADVERTISING
For a Rate Card please contact us at info@africaports.co.za
Don’t forget to send us your news and press releases for inclusion in the News Bulletins. Shipping related pictures submitted by readers are always welcome. Email to info@africaports.co.za
SHIP PHOTOGRAPHERS Colour photographs and slides for sale of a variety of ships. Thousands of items listed featuring famous passenger liners of the past to cruise ships of today, freighters, container vessels, tankers, bulkers, naval and research vessels. P O BOX 809, CAPE TOWN, 8000, SOUTH AFRICA |
| South Africa’s most comprehensive Directory of Maritime Services will shortly be listed on this site. Please advise if you’d like your company to be included. To sign up for a free listing contact info@africaports.co.za or register online |
