Africa PORTS & SHIPS Maritime News

Bringing you shipping, freight, trade and transport related news of interest for Africa since 2002
Bringing you shipping, freight, trade and transport related news of interest for Africa since 2002

TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS

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FIRST VIEW: BW EAGLE

BW Eagle in Durban harbour, picture by Trevor JOnes, featured in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
BW Eagle.        Picture: Trevor Jones

The green hull of the BW Tankers handysize chemical products tanker BW EAGLE (IMO 9708071) shows up brightly as she enters Durban port during July on one of her routine calls. Built in 2015, the 49,999-dwt products tanker is one of a family of similar vessels within the Hong-Kong-based BW fleet, there being more than 20 such sized tankers operating in a combined fleet of well over 200 vessels. Originally named Worldwide the company changed its name to Bergesen Worldwide in 2003 following the acquisition of Norway’s Bergesen d.y.ASA, the world’s largest gas carrier operator. Two years later the line was rebranded to BW under which it now operates with all ships prefixed with BW. The tanker is 183 metres in length and 32m wide. This picture is by Trevor Jones

 

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CELEBRATIONS ALL ROUND FOLLOWING VISIT BY POLISH TALL SHIP DAR MLODZIEZY

Dar Mlodziezy in Cape Town, picture by Ian Shiffman, featured in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Dar Mlodziezy in Cape Town.      Picture by Ian Shiffman

Two sets of commemorations took place with the visit by the Polish Tall Ship DAR MLODZIEZY which called at Cape Town on Wednesday last week, sailing after three days on Friday 17 August.

The sailing ship is on a centennial independence celebration cruise marking one hundred years since Poland obtained its independence. On board the vessel is a crew of some 250 members including approximately 60 cadets undertaking a round the world trip that began in Poland and is set to end in March next year when the ship returns to the Baltic and her Polish homeport of Gydnia.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between South Africa and Poland in Cape Town on Wednesday marked a turning point in the development and enhancement of relations between the two countries and which will benefit both in the long term particularly with regards maritime sector issues. This is according to South Africa’s Transport Department deputy Minister, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga and Poland’s Minister of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, Mr Marek Gróbarczyk during the welcoming of the Dar Młodzieży at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal.

The ship is calling at 22 ports during her circumnavigation, of which Cape Town is the second. She is now on her way to Port Louis in Mauritius, with one unconfirmed report saying she will also call at Madagascar on the way.

Following her arrival at the cruise terminal berth in the Duncan Dock the ship moved to the V&A Waterfront where further festivities were planned.

The Polish maritime crew were joined by their South African counterparts from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) for a combined group of about 200, were later treated to a braai on board South Africa’s only dedicated cadet training vessel, the SA Agulhas.

In-between the events, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on the basis of which the two countries would endeavour to enhance co-operation and joint pursuit of socio economic development initiatives but especially in relation to the maritime economic sector.

SAMSA’s Sobantu Tilayi described the establishment of sound relations with countries such as Poland as beneficial to South Africa’s emergent pursuit of redevelopment of its own maritime economic sector.

Paying tribute at the Nobel Peace Prize Garden are training crew of the Polish Tall Ship. Picture: SAMSA, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Paying tribute at the Nobel Peace Prize Garden are training crew of the Polish Tall Ship. Picture: SAMSA

On the Thursday the young crew of the ship paid a moving tribute to former South African president and international statesman, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela at a brief ceremony held at the V&A Waterfront

The site of the tribute was the small memory garden at the V&A Waterfront housing the statues of four of South Africa’s Nobel Peace laureates; Nelson R. Mandela, former Anglican Church Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu, former South African president Frederick W. de Klerk and the late ANC president, Chief Albert Luthuli.

It was a fitting tribute coinciding and consistent with Poland’s own 100th anniversary of the regaining of its own independence in 1918.

Dar Młodzieży sailed on Friday afternoon bound for the Indian Ocean and the next stage of her world cruise.

 

Paying a tribute to the late Presient Nelson Mandela at the Nobel Peace Prize Garden at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront. Picture: SAMSA, featured in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Paying a tribute to the late Presient Nelson Mandela at the Nobel Peace Prize Garden at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront. Picture: SAMSA

 

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HAPAG-LlOYD INVESTS IN GROWING EAST AFRICAN MARKET

Hapag-Lloyd;s new EAS 2 service, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Hapag-Lloyd’s new EAS 2 service

Hapag-Lloyd says that it is continuing to focus on the growing market in East Africa. With annual growth rates of approximately six percent, the region tops the list on the African continent and Kenya, in particular, is developing with significantly rising import and export figures as well as massive investments in public infrastructure.

In April 2018 Hapag-Lloyd launched the East Africa Service (EAS), its first…[restrict] dedicated service to East Africa. The weekly service sails from Jeddah to Mombasa, and from there to Dar es Salaam, in Tanzania, and directly back to Jeddah. After a successful start this service will be expanded in September with a weekly connection to and from Nhava Sheva, Mundra, Khor Fakkan, Jebel Ali, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. The so called EAS2 will replace the current EAS service and directly link the Arabian Gulf and the West Coast of India with East Africa.

Hapag-Lloyd also offers inland transportation to and from East African hinterland locations of Bujumbura (Burundi), Kigali (Rwanda), Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo), Lusaka (Zambia) and Kampala (Uganda).

“I am delighted that our East Africa Service from and to Kenya is developing so positively,” said Dheeraj Bhatia, Managing Director Africa, Middle East and Indian Subcontinent for Hapag-Lloyd AG.

“After only four months in operation, we have significantly expanded our business with overall vessel utilization beyond our expectations,” he said. “With our upcoming new EAS2 service we will be able to offer even better connections from and to East Africa. All in all we are experiencing growing client demand which demonstrates the economic potential of Kenya.”

The GDP of Kenya has grown significantly in the last two years, rising by an average of approximately six percent. Kenya primarily exports coffee and tea, but also vegetables, fruits and textiles. The main imports are vehicles, spare parts, yarns, machines and electronic goods.[/restrict]

 

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KENYA GOVT APPROVES PLANS TO REVIVE DORMANT KENYA NATIONAL SHIPPING LINE

Tugs in the harbour at Mombasa, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Tugs in the harbour at Mombasa

The Kenya government is reported as having approved plans to revive the dormant Kenya National Shipping Line, as it seeks to expand Kenya’s involvement in the Blue Economy.

The revival will come with the assistance of Mediterranean Shipping Company after President Uhuru Kenyatta signed…[restrict] an agreement together with MSC’s Vice President Giovanni Cuomo.

Kenya will once again become an active participant in international seaborne trade, “which accounts for a significant percentage of Kenya’s total trade,” President Kenyatta said.

According to a statement from the presidency, the intention is that KNSL will in future carry the bulk of if not all of state-owned cargo which will be on MSC ships.

Recently the State House spokesperson Manoah Esipisu said that the Kenya National Shipping Line has the potential to contribute Sh304 billion into the country’s economy annually.

He said the plans were being rolled out by the Blue Economy Committee of the State Department of Maritime and Shipping Affairs and that these involved restructuring the ownership of the KNLS.

“Negotiations are at an advanced stage for the exit of foreign shareholders who have expressed desire to cease working with KNLS, due to KNSL having become a parastatal,” Esipisu said in Mombasa. Esipisu was presumably referring to the other two foreign shareholders.

The initiative by the state is expected to create some 3,000 jobs in the first year, according to the Kenya government. KNSL has never operated with its own vessels, operating instead as a non-vessel owning common carrier (NVOCC). Whether this is how the government sees the future of KNSL is not clear but with the increasing importance of China’s One Belt One Road initiative, of which the port of Mombasa is an integral part, Kenya presumably feels the need to resume its place in this arena of shipping.[/restrict]

 

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STRONG WINDS CAUSE TWO SHIPS TO COLLIDE AT RICHARDS BAY

Damage to the hull of Thor Friendship in Richards Bay harbour, featured in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Damage to the hull of a bulker in Richards Bay harbour.      Picture courtesy: Shepstone & Wylie

An accident in the Port of Richards Bay late last week has left at least one ship with what appears to be fairly considerable damage to the hull, although fortunately above the waterline.

The blame at this early stage of reporting can be placed on the notorious KZN southwesterly ‘Buster’ that came through with…[restrict] the suddenness for which it has earned its unpleasant reputation.

The incident occurred at Richards Bay’s general cargo berths 706 and 707, with the 58,651-dwt CRIMSON KNIGHT (IMO 9638836) already on her berth at 706 while tugs assisted the second vessel, the 54,123-dwt bulk carrier THOR FRIENDSHIP (IMO 9424601) to an adjacent berth number 707.

The tugs were in the process of turning 190-metre by 32m Thor Friendship so that the ship could face the turning basin for easy departure when the wind gusts swept across the waters of the bay. Unable to control the ship Thor Friendship collided with the berthed Crimson Knight, during which the anchor on one of the vessels tore a gaping hole in the hull of the other, leaving fairly severe damage to her fo’c’sle as can be seen in the photograph above.

The anchor on other ship also took some damage though not too serious, according to our report.

Thor Friendship is owned and managed by Thoresen & Co, (Bangkok) Ltd and is registered in Singapore. She was built at the Oshima Shipping Company shipyard in Japan.

Crimson Knight is owned and managed by MMSL of Singapore and is also registered there. The 197-metre long, 32m wide ship was built in China in 2013 at the Cosco Nantong Shipyard in Nantong.

Acknowledgements to Allan Heydorn, Partner at Shepstone & Wylie, Richards Bay.[/restrict]

 

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BOLLORÉ, CAMRAIL & SEPBC TO INCREASE EXPORTS OF BÉLABO TIMBER IN CAMEROON

Bolloré Transport & Logistics, Camrail and SEPBC (Société d'Exploitation des Parcs à Bois du Cameroun) have recently combined their activities within the Bessengué loading site to increase volumes of exported timber from Bélabo in Cameroon, featured in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news. Picure courtesy Bollore Trabsport & Logistics
Picture:   Bolloré Transport & Logistics

Bolloré Transport & Logistics, Camrail and SEPBC (Société d’Exploitation des Parcs à Bois du Cameroun) have recently combined their activities within the Bessengué loading site to increase volumes of exported timber from Bélabo in Cameroon thus supporting the industry which today represents 30 % of the country’s non-hydrocarbons exports.

Each year, nearly…[restrict] 2,500,000 m3 of logs are produced in the country, for a turnover of approximately 567 million euros in 2017. However, this trend is declining, due to an increase in export taxes but also as a result of logistical complexities.

As part of this alliance, Camrail will transport the wood from Bélabo to Bessengué and provide wagons to ensure the transfer of loaded containers to Bessengué towards the Port of Douala.

SEPBC will be responsible for loading the containers as well as all related procedures whereas Bolloré Transport & Logistics will be in charge of lifting and transit operations.

Being a central point of this logistical solution, the Bessengué loading site aims to optimise the rotation of wagons transporting wood and to maximise the operation of loading the SEPBC logs, while also increasing the available surface area at the terminal of the Port of Douala.

Working together with Bolloré Transport & Logistics for over six years, the SEFCA (Société d’Exploitation Forestière Centrafricaine) operates the Bessengué logistics hub to transport and export logs from the Central African Republic and Bélabo to Cameroon via the Port of Douala.

SEPBC primarily exports to Asia, particularly China and Vietnam, which accounted for 974,978 m3 of logs in 2017.[/restrict]

 

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** NAVAL WATCH **
RFA TIDEFORCE ARRIVES IN FALMOUTH IN PREPARATION FOR JOINING THE FLEET

The fourth and final Tide class tanker, RFA Tideforce, has arrived in Cornwall for customisation. The 39,000 tonne vessel, which will deliver fuel and water to naval operations all over the world, follows her sister ships Tidespring, Tiderace and Tidesurge into the A&P Falmouth yard, where work to customise the fleet ahead of operational service is sustaining 300 jobs. With the homecoming voyage complete, all four of the tankers have now arrived safely in the UK, marking the end of a crucial phase of the fleet’s delivery programme. Photo: MoD Crown Copyright 2018 ©, featured in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
The fourth and final Tide class tanker, RFA Tideforce, has arrived in Cornwall for customisation. The 39,000 tonne vessel, which will deliver fuel and water to naval operations all over the world, follows her sister ships Tidespring, Tiderace and Tidesurge into the A&P Falmouth yard, where work to customise the fleet ahead of operational service is sustaining 300 jobs. With the homecoming voyage complete, all four of the tankers have now arrived safely in the UK, marking the end of a crucial phase of the fleet’s delivery programme. Photo: MoD Crown Copyright 2018 ©

On 15 August the Ministry of Defence and its procurement agency, Defence Equipment & Support (de&s), jointly issued a statement advising that the fourth and final Tide class tanker, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) TIDEFORCE, had arrived in Home Waters for customisation.

The 39,000 tonne, 201-metre loa vessel, which will deliver…[restrict] fuel and water to warships on operations all over the world, follows her sister ships Tidespring, Tiderace and Tidesurge into the A&P Falmouth yard, where work to customise the fleet ahead of operational service is said to be sustaining 300 jobs.

With the homecoming voyage complete, all four of the tankers have now arrived in the UK, marking the end of a crucial phase of the RFA Fleet’s delivery programme.

Minister for Defence Procurement Stuart Andrew commented: “Tideforce’s arrival completes our new tanker fleet, ensuring our warships can continue their essential work across the globe. Hundreds of Cornwall workers will now install state-of-the-art systems before she joins her sister ships on operations next year.

“Providing everything from a floating helipad, to a refuelling vessel for our brand-new aircraft carriers, we are delivering the equipment our Armed Forces need to combat illegal trade, safeguard our waters and promote peace throughout
the world.”

As with the remainder of the Fleet, Tideforce is perfectly equipped to refuel warships of the Royal Navy, including the two new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, in hostile environments and challenging seas.

Customisation work, including the installation of communications equipment and defensive systems, is sustaining hundreds of jobs in A&P Falmouth, while the wider Tide class programme is sustaining further jobs at 26 other companies throughout the UK.

RFA Tidespring is already in service, with RFA Tiderace due to join her in September, while RFA Tidesurge has now completed her customisation programme and is about to embark on Capability Assessment Trials.

Head of Service for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Commodore Duncan Lamb RFA, said: “The arrival of RFA Tideforce, the fourth ship of the class, into the UK is a significant and tangible milestone towards reaching full operating capability.

“These four new versatile state-of-the-art Tide class ships will enable the RFA to continue to provide first class global support to a first class Royal Navy for the foreseeable future.”

David McGinley, Managing Director Atlantic and Peninsular Marine Services for A&P Group added: “The arrival of RFA Tideforce into Falmouth is a significant milestone for the A&P team.

“RFA Tideforce is the final vessel of her class and this is the fourth time we have supported a Tide class vessel during their arrival voyage. We will now complete the customisation, fit-out and capability assessment trials to the same high standards, on time and to budget, as we have for the rest of the fleet.

“A&P Group is delighted to have played such an integral role in bringing this new fleet of tankers into service to support Royal Navy vessels around the world and are especially proud of our team and supply chain for their hard work and dedication.”

Work to customise Tideforce is expected to take several months, with the ship due to enter service in 2019.[/restrict]

Edited by Paul Ridgway
London

RFA Tideforce arrives at Falmouth, fatured in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
RFA Tideforce arrives at Falmouth

 

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** INTERNATIONAL WATCH **
SEABOURN PLANS 146-DAY WORLD CRUISE ON SEABOURN SOJOURN

map of Seabourn Sojourn's 2020 World Cruise, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news

Seabourn will be undertaking their first World Cruise in six years in 2020, circumnavigating the globe from North America eastwards and transporting an intimate group of like-minded travellers to a variety of 62 ports on five continents.

The cruise with SEABOURN SOJOURN involves exclusive events, along with overnight stays and late departures from dozens of ports allow guests on board to immerse themselves in a world of fascinating people and unforgettable places, all in incomparable elegance and ease, on board the stunning Seabourn Sojourn.

African ports feature prominently among those to be visited.

These include Dakar, Banjul, Abidjan, Takoradi, Luanda, Walvis Bay, Lüderitz, Cape Town, Durban, Richards Bay, Ilha da Moçambique, Nosy Bé (Madagascar), Zanzibar, Mombasa, Victoria (Seychelles), Male (Maldives.

The world cruises offers optional excursions and extensions, with excursions in Namibia, South Africa and India, Safari options from Cape Town, Durban and Mombasa, numerous UNESCO Partner Tours including the World Heritage Site of Ilha de Moçambique, luminescent caves in Puerto Princesa, snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef and more.

Then there are Shopping with the Chef excursions, where you learn about regional markets with an expert Seabourn chef as your guide, in select ports such as Barbados, Mayreau, Manila, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City, Cairns, Sydney and more.

The World Cruise on Seabourn Sojourn begins from Miami, Florida on 4 January 2020, will be cruising in Southern African waters in the first fortnight of February 2020 and concludes her journey after 146 days on 28 May 2020 in San Francisco, USA.

Further details available by CLICKING HERE

Seabourn Sojourn, first visit to Lyttelton Jan 2011. Picture by Alan Calvert and appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Seabourn Sojourn, first visit to Lyttelton Jan 2011.     Picture by Alan Calvert 

 

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** PRESS RELEASES **
Send your Press Releases here info@africaports.co.za and marked PRESS RELEASE. Provided they are considered appropriate to our readers we will either turn them into a story, or publish them here.

NSRI ACTIVATED FOR MEDIVAC OF PATIENT FROM PASSING SHIP DHT LOTUS

NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Toft in calm seas. Picture: NSRI, featured in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Toft in calm seas.     Picture: NSRI

At 21h00, Friday, 17th August, NSRI Port Elizabeth duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following a request for medical assistance from a 332 metre VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier), the DHT LOTUS, fully laden, passing the South African coastline headed to Singapore, and…[restrict] requiring a 38 year old Indian crewman to be medically evacuated to hospital for an eye injury sustained from unknown causes.

The sea rescue craft Spirit of Toft was launched and rendezvoused with the ship, with restricted manoeuverability, 12 nautical miles South of Cape Recife in heavy sea swells of 3 to 4 metres.

NSRI rescue swimmer Patrick Brown was transferred onto the ship, involving a climb with an 11 metre freeboard.

The patient, in a stable condition, was secured into a safety harness and transferred onto the sea rescue craft Spirit of Toft.

The transferring of the patient onto the sea rescue craft took 45 minutes in the heavy sea state and the patient was transferred onto the sea rescue craft safely and without incident.

The patient was brought into the Port of Port Elizabeth and he has been transported to hospital in a stable condition. source: NSRI Port Elizabeth[/restrict]

 

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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 : GAIA LEADER

Gaia Leader at Durban, picture by Keith betts, appearing in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news

Gaia Leader. Pictures: Keith Betts, featured in Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news
Gaia Leader.      Pictures: Keith Betts

It is a relief that NYK Line’s car carrying RoRo vessels do not fall into the pool that is the fate of the container fleet, which together with ships from K Line and MOL form the new ONE container service, standing out in their dark pink paintwork. Were the RoRos included in the amalgamation then the splendid livery of the NYK car carriers would be lost. Durban with its large car terminal handling over 400,000 motor units annually is lucky in having regular calls of these ships, as exampled here with the GAIA LEADER (IMO 9536818), shown departing the port for East London. With a length of 199 metres and a width of 32m the ship is capable of carrying up to 5942 motor cars when fully loaded. The 62,838-gt Gaia Leader was built in 2011 at the Shin Kurushima Onishi Shipyard in Imabari, Japan and is registered in Singapore and managed by Wallem Shipmanagement of Hong Kong. These pictures are by Keith Betts

 

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

“The human mind is inspired enough when it comes to inventing horrors; it is when it tries to invent a Heaven that it shows itself cloddish.”
– Evelyn Waugh

 

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