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 : ANNA-DOROTHEA
- R7 Billion project to deepen, lengthen & widen three Durban container berths about to commence
- CMA CGM introduces new West Africa feeder service
- Transnet Port Terminals plants the idea of sustainability with local school
- Port of Walvis Bay hosts a morning of inspiration
- Naval News-Italian leadership in Mediterranean security highlighted
- Next generation DP (Dynamic Positioning) system launched by ABB
- News from IHMA — Change of Secretary
- Expected Ship Arrivals and Ships in Port
- Cruise News and Naval Activities
- Pics of the Day : FAIRWAY
- The mastehead today (Thursday) is Port Elizabeth Container & Car Terminal
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The bulk carrier ANNA DOROTHEA (IMO 9482213) has been a frequent caller in southern African ports for several years and returned to Durban in July this year when she was pictured entering the port. The 55,646-dwt ship has a German owner and is managed by Johann M K Blumenthal GmbH & Co KG of Hamburg. She was built in 2008 at the Kawasaki Sakaide Works in Sakaide, Japan and is registered in the Cayman Islands. This picture is by Trevor Jones
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R7 BILLION PROJECT TO DEEPEN, LENGTHEN & WIDEN THREE DURBAN CONTAINER BERTHS ABOUT TO COMMENCE
Project will transform Southern Africa’s principal container port
Transnet’s forthcoming project to create deeper berths at Durban Container Terminal (DCT): Pier 2’s North Quay will enable the Port of Durban to accommodate newer generation container vessels.
Addressing stakeholders at a business breakfast in Durban yesterday (Tuesday), representatives of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) and Transnet Group Capital (TGC) provided a project update to stakeholders ahead of anticipated site establishment by end October 2018.
The contract for the multi-billion-rand Main Marine Construction Works package has been awarded to CMI Emtateni Joint Venture, which boasts a Level 2 BEE status and is made up largely of several entities including Italian construction company CMC Di Ravenna and its 51% black-owned South African company CMI Infrastructure.
An independent Environmental Compliance Officer (ECO) package was awarded to GIBB to audit environmental compliance on the project.
Transnet Chief Capital Officer, Krishna Reddy, said the R7 billion mega project would help to sustain the existing container operations at the Port of Durban, specifically DCT Berths 203 to 205.
“In the Port of Durban which handles approximately 65% of the total containerised cargo of South Africa, we have a critical need to provide modern, safe, deeper and longer container berths to accommodate the ever-increasing size of container vessels we are now servicing. This will ensure that our flagship Port of Durban and South Africa as a whole remain competitive within the industry, while catering safely for the needs of the marine sector,” he said.
The Main Marine Construction Works to be carried out by CMI include the reconstruction, deepening and lengthening of berths 203 to 205 to provide safe docking capacity. Currently Super Post Panamax vessels 9200 TEU and larger take up two berths on the North Quay, shrinking port capacity, while larger vessels can only enter the inner channel at high tide. This results in delays and vessel queues at outer anchorage.
Marine Infrastructure Package
The marine infrastructure work will be executed in three successive phases – commencing with work on berth 205, followed by berth 204 and ending with berth 203. This staggered approach will ensure that the terminal is able to accommodate two vessels at any time between berths 203 to 205, even while one berth is decommissioned.
A new quay wall will be constructed 50m seawards of the existing quay wall, along Berths 203 to 205, which will provide sufficient water depth to safely accommodate larger Post-Panamax vessels. The existing quay wall will be deepened from -12.8m to -16.5m Chart Datum Port (CDP) and lengthened from 914m to approximately 1,210m which will allow for the simultaneous berthing of three 350m long Post-Panamax vessels. These berths have been operating beyond their original water depth design specifications.
Dredging will be carried out to deepen the turning basin and approach channel serving Berths 203 to 205 from -12.8m to -16.5m CDP.
Seven existing 80-ton ship-to-shore cranes at DCT Pier 2 will be modified to suit the profile of the new quay wall structure and to serve berths 205 to 203.
Environmental Authorisation
TNPA has undergone a rigorous environmental impact assessment (EIA) process in which interested and affected parties lodged any appeals and concerns, which were responded to in line with regulatory requirements.
“We employed extensive specialist studies to mitigate any socio-economic, health and safety or environmental impacts, drawing on the expertise of experienced marine ecologists, avifauna specialists and climate change experts. Based on our studies and public participation efforts, the Department of Environmental Affairs awarded us with environmental authorisation for marine works in September 2016 and for landside works in October 2016,” said TNPA Chief Executive, Shulami Qalinge.
A coastal water discharge permit was granted in March 2018. Also approved in July 2018 was TNPA’s application for an offshore sand winning license for the mining of sand to be used in the caisson infill. TNPA anticipates that approval will be granted in September 2018 regarding the dumping at sea permit for the disposal of spoil from dredging activities during construction, as well as the commitment to offset by Transnet and the Central Sandbank Monitoring Plan (CSMP).
An independent Environmental Monitoring Committee (EMC) Chair package has been awarded to Smith Ndlovu Summers Attorneys to oversee environmental compliance on the Main Marine Construction works. Once the project activities commence, the independent Environmental Compliance Officer (ECO) will audit compliance against the various environmental permits and will provide feedback to the relevant authorities should there be any non-compliance.
Socio-Economic Benefits
CMI expects to create 380 jobs through this project, of which around 45% will be semi-skilled or skilled, while 55% will be unskilled jobs.
More than R700 million will be invested by CMI to promote small businesses, spanning Black Women Owned, Black Owned, Black Youth Owned, QSEs and EMEs.
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CMA CGM INTRODUCES NEW WEST AFRICA FEEDER SERVICE
French container carrier CMA CGM says that to ensure service continuity and meet the needs of its customers for a premium feeder service in the West African central and south range ports, it is introducing its 5th feeder service to the region, the Onne Feeder.
Onne Feeder will connect with the line’s EURAF 4 service…[restrict] at the transhipment hub of Kribi on a fortnightly basis.
With effect 8 October 2018, Onne Feeder will have the following features:
Fleet: A dedicated feeder vessel KONRAD SCHULTE with a 1,740-TEU capacity.
Port coverage: Kribi-Port Gentil-Onne-Takoradi-Kribi
Transit times: From Valencia: 27 days to Onne, 24 days to Port Gentil and 33 days to Takoradi.
From Antwerp: 30 days to Onne, 27 days to Port Gentil and 36 days to Takoradi.
Connectivity and Transit times:
With EURAF 4 from Mediterranean ports
With EURAF 5 and EURAF 1 from North European ports[/restrict]
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TRANSNET PORT TERMINALS PLANTS THE IDEA OF SUSTAINABILITY WITH LOCAL SCHOOL
Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) employees planted a total of 12 indigenous trees together with the learners of Charles Hugo Primary School in Sydenham, Durban at the weekend – joining South Africa in paying homage to the significance of biodiversity.
As part of its Arbour Week efforts observed annually in the first week of September, TPT employees educated the audience of captivated school children about the importance of trees, what carbon emissions are and why they needed to be reduced.
“We often take for granted that we didn’t always know that plants and trees not only provide shade, shelter and fresh air, protection of humans from pollution – but they also promote food security for humans and animals alike,” said Nono Zulu, TPT General Manager for Risk, Safety, and Security.
She added that while some of the youth were aware of the positive environmental impact in planting trees like limiting climate change, the planting initiative was also a way to teach school-going children the importance of biodiversity.
A total of 20 Grade 4 learners were involved in the ceremonial planting of the Yellowwood, September Bush and Hairy Cola trees – preparing the soil, watering the plant and mixing fertiliser to ensure sustainability of the trees once planted. Amongst others, three trees of the year namely the Yellowwood trees were planted.
September also being heritage month, the TPT employees shared with the learners how trees carried historical and cultural significance as they chatted their way through the planting of 12 trees. TPT has already participated in a number of other community outreach initiatives throughout 2018 that involve communities they operate in and disadvantaged schools that are in need of support.
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PORT OF WALVIS BAY HOSTS A MORNING OF INSPIRATION
The Port of Walvis Bay recently hosted all female employees (it being Woman’s Month) to a morning of inspiration over a scrumptious breakfast.
The event was not only hosted in celebration of August which is popularly known as woman’s month but also aimed at inspiring the Port ladies on how to…[restrict] relentlessly take their rightful positions at their work places as well as in the community they live in.
The function, under the theme ‘Being Relentless” also served as a platform where the ladies had a moment of silence for 9 year old Cheryl Ujaha, who was brutally murdered recently. As a result the ladies joined hands in prayer against the current epidemic that has raged the nation.
Guest speaker Pastor Christine Adams encouraged the attendees to remain focused on attaining their respective destinies as “the start in your life is not a determining factor of how you will end. All you need to do is to remain a fighter and be an overcomer”, she said.
Women’s month (August) is an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements and the important role that women of all races and religions have played and continue to play in society.
On 9 August 1956, more than 20,000 women from all walks of life united in a mass demonstration to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa. It is because of these occurrences that the South African government declared August as Women month. Namibia being part of the global family as well as taking into account the political connection that both countries share also celebrates the month accordingly.
report & pics by Jo-Ann Stevens
Namport[/restrict]
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NATO & EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia meet at sea
On 8 September NATO Operation Sea Guardian (OSG) focused security patrol flagship ITS ESPERO joined the EU Naval Forces Mediterranean Operation Sophia flagship, ITS SAN MARCO, to discuss and further enhance the regular information exchange between OSG and Operation Sophia which allows for greater coordination and cooperation between…[restrict] NATO and EU missions.
This meeting at sea also presented an opportunity to conduct manoeuvre training between the units. In the afternoon the Commander of the Op Sophia Task Group, Admiral Alberto Maffeis, hosted Italian Navy Commander Alberto Fiorentino, OSG Task Group Commander, and together with members of the ITS Espero ships comcrew toured the Operation Sophia flagship ITS San Marco.
During the meeting the two Task groups’ Commanders discussed the needs and importance of cooperation and coordination in the area between their assets in order to increase Maritime Situational Awareness for both organizations in an area of crucial importance to Allied nations.
The OSG focused security patrol has been operating from 5 September together with HMS Echo and the Croatian warship HRVS Vukovar, supported by submarine and maritime air assets from various countries, to patrol the Mediterranean Sea in order to collect information, monitor patterns-of-life and to detect suspicious activities at sea.
Sea Guardian is a NATO Non-Article 5 operation, which has been implemented in response to the evolving maritime security environment in the Mediterranean Sea and in order to adopt a flexible and comprehensive approach to Maritime Security Operations.
* All illustrations reproduced by courtesy of NATO MARCOM ©[/restrict]
Edited by Paul Ridgway
London
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Paving the way towards autonomous shipping
The ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot Control dynamic positioning (DP) system, unveiled at the recently concluded maritime trade fair SMM in Hamburg, Germany simplifies ship manoeuvring with an intuitive touchscreen-based user interface to enable safer, more efficient ship operations.
It is said that the ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot Control will reduce workload by automating navigational tasks and will allow the bridge team to focus on the overall command and navigation of the vessel. Moreover, it is claimed that…[restrict] the system integrates seamlessly with existing onboard equipment and ensures ease of installation and maintenance, adding significant “bridge-to-propeller” value for shipowners.
One of the key benefits of the new system is that it allows the operator to switch to joystick control for manoeuvring the vessel at any speed and to docking. ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot Control employs algorithms that calculate the optimal way of executing a command for controlling the vessel in any operational situation. The overall safety of the operation is increased as the crew is able to maintain full situational awareness, rather than having to focus on changing control modes.
It was announced at SMM that the system has obtained Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Approval in Principle (AiP) certificate. LR is a leading international provider of classification, compliance and consultancy services to the marine industry.
David Barrow, Commercial Director, Marine & Offshore, Lloyd’s Register commented: “Lloyd’s Register is focused on supporting the introduction of new solutions to the shipping industry that enhance safer, more efficient and sustainable ship operations. As digital technologies progress, increased collaboration between original equipment manufacturers, classification societies and ship owners will become key. This project highlights the collaborative work ethic between LR and ABB to achieve this milestone.”
According to Mikko Lepistö, Senior Vice President Digital Solutions at ABB Marine & Ports, “ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot Control is an example of pioneering technology that is already available today and will act as a stepping stone into the future of autonomous shipping. To enable autonomous shipping, we need a DP system that replaces traditional solutions designed for disconnected operations. Embracing new technologies for the human-machine interface and offering tangible safety and efficiency benefits, ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot Control does exactly that.”
Together with the ABB Ability™ Marine Pilot Vision, launched in 2017 to offer multiple real-time visualisations of a vessel’s surroundings, the new DP system will, it is said, create a full situational awareness and an intuitive operating environment with the dedicated purpose of operating the ship in a safe and efficient manner.
It is understood that the new DP system can be connected to the ABB Ability™ Collaborative Operations Center infrastructure, which monitors the performance of ABB technology on board and remotely connects operators with ABB experts.[/restrict]
Paul Ridgway
London
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NEWS FROM IHMA – CHANGE OF SECRETARY
In news just receieved, the International Harbour Masters’ Association ( www.harbourmaster.org ) – of which Transnet National Ports Authority is a member – reports that Sabrina Delelis has been appointed as Secretary of the organisation in succession to Anne Carnegie who has departed after six years in the post.
With consultative status at IMO the International Harbour Masters’ Association (IHMA) is the professional body for those responsible for the safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sound conduct of marine operations in port waters. Harbour masters in more than 50 countries make up the membership.
In June this year London was the venue for the 11th IHMA Congress at which Captain Allan Gray, Harbour Master of the Port of Fremantle, Western Australia, was elected President.
The 12th Congress will be held in Hobart, Tasmania from 23-26 March, 2020.
Paul Ridgway
London
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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.
The Dutch dredger FAIRWAY seen at Lyttelton New Zealand where she is deployed on an eleven week contract to widen, deepen and lengthen port’s main channel. Pictures are by Alan Calvert
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
“How we relate with other people is dependent on how we rate ourselves and what we think about ourselves.”
― Stephen Richards
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