TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS
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- First View : MAERSK VALLVIK
- Durbanites explore SA Agulhas II
- Damen type 5114 finally gets delivered to SICL in Port Harcourt
- Nigeria’s Homeland orders another Damen 3307 patrol vessel
- Glimpses at the maritime world in pictures and words
- NSRI involved with unusual rescue of injured man on board ship
- Abrupt dismissal of Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority Director-General Paul Asare Ansah
- BALTOPS annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic region
- The F-35 arrives – Britain’s most advanced jets touch down on home soil
- Call for classification socieities & IACS to be adaptable in a changing industry
- Expected Ship Arrivals and Ships in Port
- Cruise News and Naval Activities
- Pics of the Day : ALPINE MAGNOLIA
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One of the more regular visitors to the container ports of South Africa is this ship, the Maersk Line vessel MAERSK VALLVIK (IMO 9411381) which is seen here on the final approaches to Durban Bay. Built in 2011 the 26,020-dwt ship was built at the Dalian New Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co Ltd shipyard in China as hull number CS1800-10. With a maximum container capacity of just 1800 TEU she is one of the smaller ships currently in service to South Africa but is suited well for some of the Africa coast ports that she visits. The ship is owned and operated by Maersk Line. This picture is by Keith Betts
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DURBANITES EXPLORE SA AGULHAS II
South Africa’s state-of-the-art research vessel, the SA AGULHAS II ship, was open to members of the public to explore on Saturday (9 June).
The Department of Environmental Affairs hosted the annual SA Agulhas II Open Day at the Port of Durban as part of World Oceans Day.
Visitors enjoyed guided tours of the vessel, from its state of the art laboratories to the lounge area which is dedicated to the late South African music icon Miriam Makeba.
The SA Agulhas II is a polar research and supply vessel acquired by the department in March 2012.
South Africa has for more than half a century maintained a presence in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic by establishing permanent research bases on Marion Island, Gough Island and in Antarctica.
The department said having a year-round presence in these remote locations enables researchers to conduct seasonal data analysis on various research disciplines, thus allowing a better understanding of the ecosystem behaviour and functioning of the Earth system.
“The Southern Ocean on the doorstep of South Africa is a key resource in understanding the balance of earth, ocean and atmosphere interactions.
“South Africa, through various institutions of higher learning and international collaboration, has built up an extensive dataset on the Southern Ocean and the resources therein. This can only be enhanced through the world class technological advancements on the SA Agulhas II,” the department said.
Voyages to Marion, Gough and Antarctica allow for data such as sea surface temperature, oxygen and carbon measurements to be collected, which are instrumental to further enhance the understanding of present day global climate change.
The vast experience in Southern Ocean research has contributed to making the SA Agulhas II a unique research vessel with facilities that enable modern day Oceanographic research to take place on-board.
Prior to the arrival of the SA Agulhas II, the department said, research in the Southern Ocean was limited to the schedules and transit tracks of the vessel during the resupply of the research bases. source: SAnews.gov.za
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DAMEN TYPE 5114 OSANYAMO FINALLY GETS DELIVERED TO SICL IN PORT HARCOURT
The Damen-built offshore support and supply vessel named OSANYAMO (IMO 9781059), which arrived in Cape Town from the Damen shipyard in China in mid April this year and then went on a mysterious ‘layby’ has arrived in Nigeria where the 1337-gt type 5114 vessel, the largest in the Damen range, was due to be welcomed by her owners, Starzs Investment Company Limited (SICL).
The reason for the vessel being held back in Cape Town after arrival from China has…[restrict] not been disclosed. This was despite SICL having a contract with Total E&P Nigeria Limited to provide offshore services with the vessel. It is thought that a dispute over financial issues involved Nigeria’s cabotage laws,
Osanyamo is a Azimuth Stern Drive 5114 class of offshore support vessel and completed her sea trials on the Yangtze River as the first in her class.
She has a length of 52.3 metres and displaces 800 tonnes. Her features include 268 square metres of deck space and large fuel and water tanks for supplying other vessels at sea. The vessel has a bollard pull capability of 90 tonnes astern and 100 tonnes ahead.
The vessel has accommodation for a crew of 14 seafarers and up to 10 passengers and her propulsion comes in the form of two main diesel ABC16 DZC engines delivering 6,700kw powering twin kort nozzle thrusters manufactured by Schottel.
Damen Shipyards at Cape Town built and supplied another offshore vessel for SICL in 2009. Named OSAYAME (IMO 9518696), she is a Damen ASD 3211 type tug and has been in regular service in the Gulf of Guinea since her delivery eight years ago.
SICL are ship owners and managers who provide offshore marine services, security services. The SICL vessels include tugs and security patrol type vessels.[/restrict]
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NIGERIA’S HOMELAND ORDERS ANOTHER DAMEN 3307 PATROL VESSEL
Nigeria’s Homeland Integrated Offshore Services has signed a contract with Damen Shipyards Group for another Damen 3307 Patrol Vessel.
Damen delivered Homeland’s first 3307 patrol vessel in 2014.
The new vessel, named GUARDIAN 6, will join its sister vessels in the Gulf of Guinea providing security services to oil majors operating in the region. Guardian 6 will perform roles such as deterring and intervening in piracy attacks. Additionally, it will carry out crew transfers and equipment deliveries.
Homeland is approved and registered by the…[restrict] Government of Nigeria to provide private maritime security services.
According to Damen the 3307 patrol vessel is based on Damen’s proven Fast Crew Suppler (FCS) 3307 and benefits from the design’s outstanding seakeeping behaviour, rapid acceleration and high top speed. Fitted out as standard, the vessel can carry up to sixteen military personnel along with their equipment.
Homeland has selected a number of optional custom features for their vessel. This includes incorporation of a Fast Rescue Craft, Fuel Trax electronic fuel monitoring system and a self-cleaning fuel separator.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Homeland’s CEO Dr Louis Ekere said, “I’d like to thank Damen for the continued cooperation, which goes beyond the simple client-supplier relationship. We have a genuine collaboration that involves knowledge and technology sharing to the benefit of all parties. The synergy has continued to grow the capacity of Nigerian indigenous companies in line with the objectives of the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMD) of the Federal Government to grow the local content capacity and many people benefit from employment opportunities, both during the build and in the operation of this vessel.”
Damen Regional Director Africa Mr Harm Blaauw said that Homeland is a very important client of Damen in Nigeria, with a very well organised management structure. “We would like to express our sincere gratitude towards Homeland for the pleasant relationship over the past few years and we are looking forward to working together on a further expansion of the Homeland fleet and presence in the Nigerian maritime sector.”[/restrict]
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GLIMPSES INTO THE MARITIME WORLD IN PICTURES AND WORDS
Bremen Delegation Visits Port of Durban Transnet National Ports Authority at the Port of Durban welcomed a delegation from the city of Bremen in northwestern Germany, led by Bremen Mayor Dr Carsten Sieling on Monday 4 June. As part of an ambassadorial visit to the city, the guests were treated to a tour of the port aboard the La Vue Floating Restaurant – and discussed partnership opportunities with city and port leadership. Pictures: TNPA
Viking takes delivery of 5th Fincantieri newbuild Viking Ocean Cruises took delivery last week of its fifth new cruise ship from the Italian Fincantieri shipyard. Named VIKING ORION, the ship, similar to the four ships already in service, was built at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in Italy. Viking Orion will debut in the Mediterranean before journeying to Australia, Asia and, a first for Viking, Alaska. The 47,800=gt, 930-passenger ship will be named officially on Thursday this week in Livorno. On a rapid expansion programme, Viking, well established as one of the largest river cruise companies, intends having 16 ocean cruise ship in service by 2027. Picture: Viking
NSRI INVOLVED WITH UNUSUAL RESCUE OF INJURED MAN ON BOARD SHIP
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Port Elizabeth duty crew were called to an unusual type of rescue off a ship on Friday (8 June) following the discovery of a suspected stowaway on board the 61,617-dwt bulk carrier MI HARMONY (IMO 9696797) which was alongside berth 9 in Port Elizabeth harbour.
The suspected stowaway, thought to be from Tanzania, is reported to have fled from the ship’s crew after being discovered on board and during his efforts to evade capture he fled up a ship’s crane but suffered a fractured left leg in the process (compound fracture of the tibia and fibula)…[restrict]. He nevertheless gained access to a narrow ledge half way up the crane from which he threatened to jump if the crew came any closer.
Despite this members of the ship’s crew gained access to the ledge and secured the man using harnesses to prevent him from falling (or jumping). As they were in a barely accessible part of the crane and some distance above the deck of the ship it was decided to call for assistance, with the Eastern Cape Government Health EMS and the SA Police Services followed by the NSRI responding to the scene. Also in attendance was a SA Police Dive Unit together with TNPA officials.
Kevin Warren, NSRI Port Elizabeth duty coxswain, reports that when the NSRI duty crew arrived they found an EMS rescue paramedic on the ledge with the injured man.
A NSRI rescue technician, using high angle technical rescue equipment, then joined the EMS paramedic and the patient on the narrow shelf on the crane.
Warren said that the fractured leg was securely splinted and using a Paraguard stretcher and high angle extrication equipment the injured man was secured and then hoisted onto the deck below and into the care of EMS paramedics and Police on the ships deck.
He was then transported to hospital by an EMS ambulance for further treatment where he was reported to be in a stable condition.
It is suspected that the man stowed away on the ship in Tanzania and although the ship’s last port of call was Madagascar he was only discovered onboard once the vessel docked in Port Elizabeth.[/restrict]
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ABRUPT DISMISSAL OF GHANA PORTS & HARBOURS AUTHORITY DIRECTOR-GENERAL PAUL ASARE ANSAH
Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority (GPHA) Director-General Paul Asare Ansah has handed over management of the authority to his successor, Edward Osei.
Ansah received his terminal letter signed by the Presidency last Wednesday (6 June) advising that he was to hand over to the Tema Port Director, on Friday 8 June 2018.
Edward Osei is to act in the position of Director-General until…[restrict] Michael Luguje, the Executive Secretary of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa takes over the management of GPHA.
Shortly after receiving his termination letter Ansah met with senior management at GPHA to advise them of the development and bid his farewell.
A statement issued afterwards said that the management team expressed their deep admiration for his leadership style based on a high level of integrity, honesty, transparency, hard work and above all the protection of the authority and national interests.
Ansah was in the position of Acting Director-General for a period of 18 months prior to being appointed fully in December 2017.
The Termination of Appointment letter was signed by Nana Asante Bediatuo, Secretary to the President and dated 5 June, 2018 and titled, Termination of Office and Handing Over.
The letter states: “Reference is made to your appointment contract dated 20th December, 2017, appointing you as the Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority.
In accordance with paragraph 8 of the said contract, the President of the Republic has terminated your appointment. You are directed to hand-over your office to Mr Edward Osei, and proceed to collect three (3) months’ salary in lieu of notice, and any other terminal benefits or facilities due you under relevant law on contract.
“Please ensure that you hand over and cease to act as Director-General of the Authority no later than close of business on Friday 8th June, 2018. The President thanks you for your service to the nation and extends his best wishes.”
No reasons were given for the termination of the appointment.[/restrict]
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BALTOPS is the premier annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic region and one of the largest exercises in Northern Europe enhancing flexibility and interoperability among allied and partner nations. It is currently underway to 15 June.
Air, maritime and ground assets from several…[restrict] NATO ally and partner nations are involved in the live training event that commenced at Klaipeda, Lithuania, and is due to finish in Kiel.
Training focus areas include air defence, anti-subsurface warfare, maritime interdiction, mine countermeasures and amphibious operations.
Such exercises enhance flexibility and interoperability among allied and partner nations to strengthen combined response capabilities, as well as demonstrate international resolve to ensure stability in, and if necessary defence of, the Baltic Sea region.
This year sees the 46th in a series of the annual exercise and will involve approximately 5,000 personnel from 22 nations, 60 aircraft, 42 ships and a submarine.
Sixteen nations are contributing forces: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
A further six nations are contributing staff members: Canada, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Slovakia.
In the early days of BALTOPS the President of Lithuania, Dalia Grybauskaitė, observed a naval demonstration from the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20). Two Polish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft performed a fly-by while Grybauskaitė was aboard.
Grybauskaitė, Vice-Admiral Lisa M Franchetti, Commander, US 6th Fleet and Commander, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO); and Rear-Admiral Guy Robinson, RN, Deputy Commander, STRIKFORNATO, boarded the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) to meet distinguished visitors from some of the nations participating in BALTOPS.
US and Romanian Marines were launched from Oak Hill in amphibious assault vehicles to make a landing in company with the Lublin-class minelayer-landing ship ORP Krakow (823) of the Polish Navy near Klaipeda, Lithuania.
The Royal Danish Navy’s Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate Niels Juel (F363) carried out a gunnery exercise at the Ravlunda firing range in Sweden.
USS Mount Whitney conducted maritime manoeuvring drills with warships from Denmark, Germany, Latvia, the United Kingdom and the United States.[/restrict]
Edited by Paul Ridgway
London
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THE F-35 ARRIVES – BRITAIN’S MOST ADVANCED JETS TOUCH DOWN ON HOME SOIL
A major milestone for the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy
The first of Britain’s new advanced aircraft flew into RAF Marham their new home in Norfolk in eastern England. They touched down on the evening of 6 June after a trans-Atlantic flight from the United States, where Britain has more of the jets and 150 personnel in training.
The F-35s took off from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort earlier in the day, and were flown by British pilots of the newly-reformed 617 Squadron, which was immortalised by the famous Dambusters’ raid of the Second World War.
A national statement of intent
Welcoming the news, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson commented: “These formidable fighters are a national statement of our intent to protect ourselves and our allies from intensifying threats across the world.
“With a game-changing ability to collect crucial intelligence, fight wars and tackle terrorism, these are the most advanced jets in British history. The work that’s gone into their early arrival shows they have the people to match.
“Our defence industry and military have always been at the very forefront of technology, and today’s momentous arrival of these incredible jets shows we are upholding our proud tradition of innovation while keeping Britain safe from the gravest of dangers.”
The F-35s’ arrival in the UK two months ahead of schedule provides an opportunity for support staff to get a head-start in preparing the aircraft ready for operational service at the end of this year.
Around £550m has been invested in RAF Marham as part of a major change programme to get the base ready to house the new jets. The base has seen an upgrade in facilities, resurfaced runways and the addition of new landing pads to accommodate the jet’s ability to land vertically.
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier added: “In the RAF’s centenary year, it is great to see the most advanced and dynamic fighter jet in our history arrive today at RAF Marham – and with the modern Dambusters in the cockpit, this homecoming truly feels like an historic moment in British airpower. If you can’t see us coming, you won’t be able to stop us, so with its stealth and other world-beating technologies the F35 Lightning takes the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy to a whole a new level of capability.”
Deck landings due
This autumn, the first landing of the F-35 will take place on HMS Queen Elizabeth in the next phase of trials. Having both ship and aircraft operating together for the first time will be another significant moment for the Armed Forces.
The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones concluded with: “Ever since aircraft first operated to and from ships, the Royal Navy has been at the forefront of maritime aviation and the arrival of our first F35Bs in the UK today, flown by both RAF and Fleet Air Arm pilots, is another important milestone on the way to restoring our place as leaders in the field of aircraft carrier operations.
“Once combined with our new aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and her sister ship HMS Prince of Wales, these extraordinary jets will sit at the heart of our country’s globally deployable expeditionary forces and provide the potent conventional deterrent we need to ensure our national security.”
The Lightning, as the aircraft will be known in the UK, is the first to combine radar-evading stealth technology with supersonic speeds and the ability to conduct short take-offs and vertical landings (STOVL). It will be jointly operated by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy and can operate from land and sea, forming a vital part of carrier strike, the use of the aircraft from Britain’s new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.
This is the first tranche of F-35s to arrive, with RAF Voyager aircraft providing air-to-air refuels on their trans-Atlantic journey. More jets are due in Britain later this year, and there is an overall plan to procure 138.
A costly programme
It is understood that the F-35 is the world’s largest defence programme at over $1.3 trillion, and UK industry is providing 15% of each one of over 3,000 jets set for the global order book. That equates to building 100% of all the 138 aircraft in the UK’s order book.
Further, the programme has already generated $12.9Bn worth of orders and at peak production will support thousands of British manufacturing and engineering jobs.
In week ending 2 June the F-35 programme awarded a contract worth over $2bn for aircraft propulsion systems, which will have significant benefits for Rolls-Royce and their supply chain.
Edited by Paul Ridgway
London
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CALL FOR CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES & IACS TO BE ADAPTABLE IN A CHANGING INDUSTRY
Chairman of IACS satisfied with association’s achievements, emphasises the importance of being agile
Speaking at the Posidonia trade fair in Athens, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, who will hand over the reins of IACS in July, examined how the association had evolved during his time as Chairman.
Athens, 7 June 2018: In an industry undergoing rapid change, the IACS Chairman identified the need for classification societies and IACS itself to be adaptable and prepared for change, while staying true to the core purpose of classification.
Mr Ørbeck-Nilssen said that over the past year great progress had been made in modernising classification to deal with the digital transformation of shipping.
“I’m pleased to see the progress that was made in modernising the concept of class, to adapt to the digital transformation we see in shipping today. I say transformation because the progress has truly been astonishing. IACS has embraced the challenges and changes ahead, to support the industry – contributing to the development of a safer and more secure maritime world. Looking ahead, the organisation needs to continue to focus on being agile in addressing relevant industry topics, to strengthen the role of class and to ensure that IACS keeps its position as the leading technical association in these times of rapid change,” he added.
“On behalf of the IACS organisation I would like to thank Knut and the DNV GL IACS team for the great collaboration throughout this chairmanship. The Chairman’s drive and ambition to modernise classification have prompted valuable discussions with the industry and the development of a robust long-term strategy that ensures the IACS organisation is fit for the future,” said Robert Ashdown, IACS Secretary General.
IACS’ achievements during this chairmanship cover key areas such as autonomous shipping, cyber security, modern survey techniques, and internal benchmarking.
In autonomy, an IACS working group has examined all the relevant resolutions, to identify which standards present potential regulatory barriers to autonomous ship operations. The findings included barriers relating to machinery and electrical systems, safety systems, hull structures and survey procedures. As a next step, a pilot project looked at how to overcome these barriers.
To help the maritime community ensure the cyber-resilience of their assets, IACS established a joint industry working group focused on cyber safety. In its own panel, IACS is developing a number of recommendations for the newbuilding stage to assist shipbuilders in delivering cyber-resilient vessels.
As for the association itself, Mr Ørbeck-Nilssen noted that, for the first time in almost a decade, IACS has carried out a substantial revision of its membership criteria. In addition, a new internal benchmarking process supports members in improving their performance, while increasing the transparency of member’s quality performance. “These are important steps towards ensuring that IACS provides consistency in its high-quality support and becomes more transparent in its internal procedures,” said Mr Ørbeck-Nilssen.
In closing, Mr Ørbeck-Nilssen emphasised his belief in the continuing importance of IACS in changing and challenging times: “The industry is changing. Our ways of working may be changing. But the purpose of classification still remains the same: To protect life, property and the environment.”
About IACS:
Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) makes a unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through technical support, compliance verification and research and development. More than 90% of the world’s cargo carrying tonnage is covered by the classification design, construction and through-life compliance Rules and standards set by the twelve Member Societies of IACS. More information about IACS can be found by visiting www.iacs.org.uk
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GENERAL NEWS REPORTS – UPDATED THROUGH THE DAY
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EXPECTED SHIP ARRIVALS and SHIPS IN PORT
Port Louis – Indian Ocean gateway port
Ports & Ships publishes regularly updated SHIP MOVEMENT reports including ETAs for ports extending from West Africa to South Africa to East Africa and including Port Louis in Mauritius.
In the case of South Africa’s container ports of Durban, Ngqura, Ports Elizabeth and Cape Town links to container Stack Dates are also available.
You can access this information, including the list of ports covered, by going HERE remember to use your BACKSPACE to return to this page.
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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.
PICS OF THE DAY : ALPINE MAGNOLIA
Among the most regular of ship types to call at Durban are the chemical and oil products tankers, feeding a thirsty nation with refined fuels and other liquid bulk products. Raw crude oil goes to the single buoy mooring outside the port at Isipingo, whereas inside port the smaller tankers such as this, the 50,275-dwt ALPINE MAGNOLIA (IMO 9457713) proceed to the 9-berth Island View complex of one of the liquid bulk berths at Maydon Wharf. On any single day the Port of Durban will have several container ships in port and at least a similar if not greater number of tankers. Hence a visit to the harbour entrance with camera in hand is sure to capture one or the other type of ship without too long a wait. This was the case this past Sunday, 10 June when the products tanker arrived, coming in unusually close to the north breakwater. This turned out to be because another tanker was sailing and kept coming out despite the incoming vessel being well into the channel. Meanwhile the lights on the Millennium Tower were flashing red and green (incoming/outgoing) which the photographer says he has never seen before (and that covers a great many years of photographing ships at the entrance channel). The Greek owned and managed Alpine Magnolia is 183 metres long and 32 metres wide and was built in 2009 at the SPP Shipbuilding Tongyoung Shipyard at Tongyoung in South Korea. She is flagged in the Marshall Islands. These pictures by Trevor Jones
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“For this reason the gentleman will employ a man on a distant mission and observe his degree of loyalty, will employ him close at hand and observe his degree of respect. He will hand him troublesome affairs and observe how well he manages them, will suddenly ask his advice and observe how wisely he answers. He will exact some difficult promise from him and see how well he keeps it, turn over funds to him and see with what benevolence he dispenses them, inform him of the danger he is in and note how faithful he is to his duties. He will get him drunk with wine and observe how well he handles himself, place him in mixed company and see what effect beauty has upon him. By applying these nine tests, you may determine who is the unworthy man.”
― Confucius
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