
TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS
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- First View : SEROJA LIMA
- South African Port Statistics for the month of May are now available here
- Report seems to confirm that MSC has acquired 49% stake in Messina Line
- Mozambique’s railway to South Africa and to Swaziland closed for maintenance
- South African World Oceans Day focused on menace of plastics pollution
- CMA CGM to upgrade its Indian Ocean Feeder Network
- Kenya Ports Authority still without a head while court cases gather
- Controversy in London over cruise ship diesel fumes near Isle of Dogs
- Brave man! Nor-Shipping director is first-ever male to join WISTA (Norway)
- Expected Ship Arrivals and Ships in Port
- Cruise News and Naval Activities
- Pics of the Day : MSC INES
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With a couple of tugs in attendance the container ship SEROJA LIMA (IMO 9567661) is eased in towards her berth at the Durban Container Terminal. This was on Saturday, 9 June. Built in 2011, the 90,388-dwt ship is 316 metres in length and has a beam of 45.6 metres with a draught of 12.8m. Owned and managed by Japanese interests Seroja Lima was built at the MHI Nagasaki Shipyard & Engine Works in Nagasaki, Japan and flies the Panama flag. Her next port of call after Durban is Port Elizabeth. Picture: Ken Malcolm
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SOUTH AFRICAN PORT STATISTICS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY ARE NOW AVAILABLE HERE

Port statistics for the month of May 2018, covering the eight commercial ports under the administration of Transnet National Ports Authority, are now available.
Results indicate a good month for the national ports, with Richards Bay (8.116 million tonnes), Saldanha (6.762mt) and Durban (6.092mt) all shining. Container throughput was also quite good at 401,073 TEU handled at all ports. Total throughput for May was 24.384 million tonnes compared with a throughput of 22.611 in April.
In May 2017 the eight ports handled a total…[restrict] of 22.03mt.
Container volumes for all ports during April this year were 401,073 TEU, compared with 434,127 TEU during April.
For detailed comparison with the same month of the previous year – May 2017 – please go HERE; afterwards use your BACKSPACE button to return to this page.
These statistic reports on Africa PORTS & SHIPS are arrived at using an adjustment on the overall tonnage compared to those kindly provided by TNPA and include containers recorded by weight; an adjustment necessary because TNPA measures containers by the number of TEUs and does not reflect the weight which unfortunately undervalues the ports.
To arrive at such a calculation, Africa PORTS & SHIPS uses an average of 13.5 tonnes per TEU, which probably does involve some under-reporting. Africa PORTS & SHIPS will continue to emphasise this distinction, without which South African ports would be seriously under-reported internationally and locally.
Port Statistics continue below
Figures for the respective ports during May 2018 are:
Cargo handled by tonnes during May 2018, including containers by weight
PORT | May 2018 million tonnes |
Richards Bay | 8.116 |
Durban | 6.092 |
Saldanha Bay | 6.762 |
Cape Town | 1.501 |
Port Elizabeth | 0.985 |
Ngqura | 0.671 |
Mossel Bay | 0.068 |
East London | 0.188 |
Total all ports | 24.384 million tonnes |
CONTAINERS (measured by TEUs) during May 2018
(TEUs include Deepsea, Coastal, Transship and empty containers all subject to being invoiced by NPA
PORT | May 2018 TEUs |
Durban | 245,167 |
Cape Town | 85,222 see notes above |
Port Elizabeth | 15,722 |
Ngqura | 49,673 |
East London | 4,825 |
Richards Bay | 1,094 |
Total all ports | 401,703 TEU |
SHIP CALLS for May 2018
PORT | May 2018 vessels | gross tons |
Durban | 213 | 7,971,059 |
Cape Town | 126 | 3,701,462 |
Richards Bay | 135 | 5,099,603 |
Port Elizabeth | 64 | 2,078,904 |
Saldanha Bay | 34 | 2,223,249 |
Ngqura | 44 | 2,761,362 |
East London | 26 | 1,018,321 |
Mossel Bay | 32 | 143,563 |
Total ship calls | 674 | 24,997,523 |
— source TNPA, with adjustment[/restrict]
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REPORT SEEMS TO CONFIRM THAT MSC HAS ACQUIRED 49% STAKE IN MESSINA LINE

On 20 February 2017 we reported on a possible merger between the two Italian shipping companies of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Ignazio Messina Line (Linea Messina), with a possible 49/51% share in favour of Messina. See that report MSC TO TAKE 49% STAKE IN MESSINA LINE.
According to shipping consultancy Dynaliners (Dynamar BV), MSC has now reached an agreement with Banca Carige on a EUR 450 million restructuring of Linea Messina that will see MSC become a 49% shareholder in the smaller Italian operator.
This will leave control of Messina Line in the hands of the Messina and Gais families, but as part of the deal, speculates Dynaliners, MSC may take control of Messina Line’s eight ConRo ships, of which three are seen on the Italy – East and South Africa service. MSC already has two of these ships on charter.
Dynaliners says that it will probably take several months more to finalise the deal since there are other banks involved with which agreement will have to be sought.
The merger in which MSC is about to become a large shareholder in another established shipping company is unusual in that until now MSC has grown into the world’s second biggest container shipping company in a uniquely organic way, without resorting to taking over rival or supplementary companies.
The rotation of the Mediterranean – South Africa service, using 2,900-TEU ConRo vessels, is: Barcelona, Marseilles, Salerno, Alexandria, Mersin, Jeddah, Djibouti, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Maputo, Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Jeddah and back to Barcelona.
Messina’s West Africa service is operated jointly with MSC and CoscoSL using 2,500-TEU ship on a rotation of: Genoa, Castellon, Valencia, Algeciras, Dakar, Lagos (Apapa & Tincan), Tema, Takoradi, Abidjan, Algeciras and back to Genoa.
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MOZAMBIQUE’S RAILWAY TO SOUTH AFRICA AND TO SWAZILAND CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE

Freight rail service on the Ressano Garcia (South Africa) and Goba (Swaziland) lines, including the Salamanga branch, have been suspended until next Wednesday to allow maintenance work to proceed.
In a statement the Mozambican ports and railways company (CFM-EP) said that the maintenance work is aimed at reducing the number of derailments on the lines, and giving users from South Africa, Swaziland and…[restrict] other countries in the region better access to the Port of Maputo.
Another objective is the lifting of speed restrictions, which, in addition to providing greater safety and comfort, will reduce travel times.
The note clarifies that, on the Ressano Garcia line, the ban covers all trains except passenger services on the Maputo-Matola-Gare section and those connecting to Ressano Garcia, as well as the ‘automotoras’ fulfilling their normal schedule.
On the Goba line, the ban covers the circulation of all trains during the day, with passenger and freight trains able to circulate from 18h00 to 05h00 hours according to instructions from track and site services on the spot.
The document however notes that “all passenger services may be disrupted by the work being carried out”.
South Africa exports coal and chrome ore through the Port of Maputo, with a large percentage of this cargo being transported by truck along the EN4. Source: Notícias[/restrict]
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SOUTH AFRICAN WORLD OCEANS DAY FOCUSED ON MENACE OF PLASTICS POLLUTION

With global recognition increasing about the dangers of plastics waste pollution particularly in the world’s oceans, closer collaboration among role-players remains crucial to success in combating the rapidly expanding menace.
At least that was the dominant message flowing from this year’s observation of World Oceans Day in Durban at the weekend – a two day event hosted by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in collaboration with several institutions including the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).
SAMSA is charged statutorily with responsibility for the monitoring and prevention of pollution by ships at sea all around South Africa, an area spawning more than 1.5-million square kilometres and over which the country has interest in as an exclusive economic zone.

In Durban over two days, from Friday and Saturday, several institutions across the public, private, higher education, research as well as community sectors gathered under one roof at a hall located at the harbour for an exhibition as well as a public awareness campaign focused on sharing information about the menace of plastics pollution.
The first day was almost exclusively dedicated to high school pupils in the Durban area while the following day was open to members of the public for whom another major attraction was the country dedicated marine research vessel, SA AGULHAS II.
In addition to maritime careers information for the school pupils, both groups were taken through various information sharing sessions on the importance of the country’s marine resources as well as the absolutely crucial need to spare the environment of pollution, of which plastic waste was the most dominant currently across the world.
Visitors were also taken on a tour of SA Agulhas II, ahead of its departure to the Antarctic region with supplies for the research stations there, as well as undertaking further studies by a group of marine scientists on board.

According to Ms Keshnee Pillay, a marine scientist in biological oceanography at the Department of Environmental Affairs, greater collaboration among all stakeholders and roleplayers engaged with the plastics waste pollution campaign is crucial to future success.
In the following video, she explains why the focus of this year’s World Ocean Day celebration had to be on plastics pollution particularly as it affected the oceans and other marine environment.
[7:10]
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CMA CGM TO UPGRADE ITS INDIAN OCEAN FEEDER NETWORK
With the recent phase-in of a larger capacity vessel up to 1,800 TEU on the Indian Ocean Feeder 2, CMA CGM is able to disclose the new complete set up of its Indian Ocean Feeder network with the introduction of a 6th loop Indian Ocean Feeder.
To support the positive commercial exchanges in the dynamic Indian Ocean market and Intra Africa with more space and increased reliability of its product in the region, CMA CGM says it is…[restrict] glad to announce tha effective mid-June 2018:
* Majunga and Diego Suarez ports on IO Feeder 1 will benefit of increased capacity
* Upsize of IO Feeder 2 with a vessel of 1,800 TEU, more space in Tamatave and Port Louis
* Improved frequency in Diego Suarez and Nossi Be with a call every 21 days on IO Feeder 4
* IO Feeder 6, a new dedicated shuttle serving Vohemar with an every 10-day frequency
* Intra Indian Ocean extended with a new link Tamatave to Longoni[/restrict]
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KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY STILL WITHOUT A HEAD WHILE COURT CASES GATHER

The ‘retirement’ of the former managing director of Kenya Ports Authority, Catherine Mturi-Wairi, which was announced last week KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY MD IS SUSPENDED, THEN REINSTATED BY COURT ORDER – 6 June is being further challenged in Kenyan courts, it is being reported in Kenya.
Mturi-Wairi was appointed managing director in June 2016 after former MD Gichiri Ndua was dismissed earlier that year. She became the first female to hold the position as head of the KPA.
Her stated replacement, Daniel Manduku has not yet taken up office – Manduku is the CEO of the National Construction Authority.
Ms Mturi-Wairi was initially suspended but…[restrict] this was overturned after swift court action brought by a Mombasa resident, who told the court that the decision taken by the board to suspend the managing director was illegal. He based this on the grounds that the majority of the board members’ terms of office were themselves illegal as their terms had elapsed and that the remaining members did not constitute a quorum, thus rendering any decision taken by them to be unconstitutional and illegal.

The court agreed and ordered the reinstatement of Mturi-Wairi but on Friday she voluntarily issued her resignation, ending a 25-year career with the organisation.
A second case has meanwhile been filed in the Mombasa courts challenging the board’s decision to send her on compulsory leave pending an enquiry.
The state said in response that it will await the outcome of these court hearings. On Monday the KPA issued a statement saying that port operations were not affected by these actions involving the managing director and that there are other officials who have taken charge for the present.
Mr Manduku’s absence would not affect the smooth running of the ports, the KPA said.
Meanwhile, retired General Joseph Kibwana has been appointed as the new chairman of th KPA Board, replacing retired Major Marsden Matoka whose term has ended.[/restrict]
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The Mayor of London has been asked to intervene in a controversial dispute over plans for a cruise ship terminal on the Thames near the Isle of Dogs.
It is feared that severe air pollution will result from cruise ships using the facility, affecting both sides of the river.
Because there are no ship-to-shore electricity facility being provided in the plans, this would …[restrict]mean cruise ships having to run their diesel engines throughout their stay, leading to unacceptable diesel fumes, it is being claimed.
It is also claimed that a single ship emits as much pollution involving fumes as do 600 lorries.
Resulting from these arguments, the recently elected leader of Greenwich Council has been called to a meeting with the Mayor of London to discuss the matter and explore whether the planning decision of 2015 can be overturned.
Campaigners say they are not against a cruise-ship terminal bringing tourists to London along with business and investment in the area but that is should be environmentally safe. source: East London Advertiser[/restrict]
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BRAVE MAN! NOR-SHIPPING DIRECTOR IS FIRST-EVER MALE TO JOIN WISTA (NORWAY)

WISTA (Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association) Norway has opened its doors to its first ever male member, Nor-Shipping Director Per Martin Tanggaard. The organization, which supports and promotes women in maritime business management positions, has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with Nor-Shipping and saw Tanggaard as the ideal person to announce the next chapter in its development.
“Per Martin is an enthusiastic, open minded and forward-thinking member of the maritime community. As such he is a perfect ambassador for WISTA and our mission of promoting women within the industry,” comments Bjørg Ekonrud, President, WISTA Norway.
“WISTA Norway decided to allow male membership at its 2017 AGM. We want to be inclusive, of course, but also saw this as a way of building our influence, with prominent male ambassadors helping us carry our message into new arenas, engage new audiences and build new opportunities. Per Martin, with his role at the head of one of our industry’s most important global gatherings, is an ideal person to help us achieve those objectives.”
Nor-Shipping, Your Arena for Ocean Solutions, has worked with WISTA since 2015. WISTA’s Waves of Change conference is an established part of the Nor-Shipping programme, with associated events and networking highlighting opportunities for women within shipping, while acting to increase diversity, equality and participation. Nor-Shipping is also a high level sponsor of the WISTA International AGM and Conference, taking place in Tromso, Norway on 25-26 October 2018.
“Nor-Shipping has been at the front line of fighting for greater female participation in maritime for years and we see this move within that context,” notes Tanggaard. “By helping WISTA open its doors to men we can increase the reach of the organization within maritime and help effect positive change.
“To ensure the maritime and ocean industries have access to the best minds we have to commit to working together to foster an open and inclusive environment. Our message is ‘this is an industry for everybody’ and we need to promote that to ensure our best chance of sustainable success far into the future. Personally I’m delighted to be the first man to join WISTA Norway, and I hope there’ll be many more that see the value of engaging with this important organization to promote goals that we all stand to benefit from.”
Tanggaard has also signed up as the first male mentor for WISTA Norway and YoungShip’s Female Maritime Mentorship programme.
Nor-Shipping 2019 takes place at Norges Varemesse’s Lillestrøm exhibition halls and across numerous venues in Oslo from 4 – 7 June 2019. The WISTA Waves of Change 2019 conference is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 4 June in Lillestrøm.
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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.

A container ship without her cargo is not necessarily a photogenic item high on anyone’s agenda, but when the ship is MSC INES (IMO 9305714) there are exceptions, and this is one of them. The 348-metre long, 43m wide, 114,733-dwt MSC Ines achieved notoriety in October last year when she was blown off her berth during a freak storm that struck Durban harbour bringing hurricane-force winds. Along with a number of other ships equally separated from the safety of their moorings, MSC Ines was blown across Durban Bay for a considerable distance before lodging sideways in the entrance channel. Fortunately the harbour tugs assisted by experienced pilots, brought the ship off the rocks and saved the Port of Durban, and South Africa, from what could have been an embarrassing and very expensive predicament by shutting the region’s major port to shipping. Since that day MSC Ines has been on a layby berth at Pier 1 undergoing extensive repairs involving, it is reported, about 350 tonnes of new steel and a new rudder – a complex job in its own right. Last week the ship was deemed completed of her repairs and she proceeded to sea for trials, which were apparently successful as the ship then went on berth at the Durban Container Terminal to commence loading her first cargo in over eight months. These photographs show her exiting the port on those sea trials. Pictures are 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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