Africa PORTS & SHIPS maritime news 22 July 2023

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THIS WEEK’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS

Week commencing 17 July 2023.  Click on headline to go direct to story : use the BACK key to return.    Pages viewed in the previous week Sunday to Saturday: 56,883 

FIRST VIEW:  Richards Bay Terminals

Masthead:  PORT OF CAPE TOWN

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FIRST VIEW:  Richards Bay Terminals

Transnet’s Richards Bay Terminals, in the news last week for all the wrong reasons.  Multi-purpose to the left, the finger jetty and dry bulk centre and right.  Happily, the terminals have been reopened.  Picture: TNPA

 

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TNPA gets ready to kick-start deepening of N-berth at East London port’s car terminal

The East London port Car Terminal on the West Bank. Picture: TNPA

In anticipation of accommodating larger, new generation vessels, as well as to reduce delays and to increase automotive throughput, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is embarking on a project to deepen and strengthen the N-Berth at the Port of East London.

N-berth is located at the port’s Car Terminal on the West Bank of the Buffalo River.

In this regard, TNPA is calling on interested parties to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued for the concrete works package of the project.

The N-Berth length of 300 metres is sufficient to accommodate modern car carriers, however, the current depth of -8.5 Chart datum remains a limitation.

“This project is in line with the port’s growth strategy objectives to refurbish and develop our port infrastructure,” said Sphiwe Mthembu, TNPA’s East London Port Manager.

“As the home to Mercedes Benz South Africa, we are intentional about continuously providing outstanding service and infrastructure that is fit for purpose.”

The West Quay comprises the R-berth, R-extension and N-berth. It has a gravity-quay wall that was built in the early 20th century. In 2005, R-berth and R-extension were refurbished, resulting in a combined berth length of 250m and depth of -10.5m (CD).

The concrete works package will address the inconsistency in berth depth and length, to ensure that the three berths along the West Quay are -10.5m (CD) in depth, with a total length of 550m. This will allow the Port of East London to simultaneously berth two car carriers along the West Quay.

The concrete works package, which is package 1 of the project, will be executed over a period of 12 months. The second package to be executed will be the dredging works, which will be undertaken by TNPA’s Dredging Services.

RFP documents can be accessed from the following three websites:

National Treasury’s e-tender portal: www.etender.gov.za and/ or Transnet website: https://transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net and/or
CIDB website https://www.cidb.org.za/cidbtenders/current-tenders/

The closing time for submission of tender offers is: 15h00 on 14 August 2023.

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WHARF TALK: MR1 products tanker – HARRIS

The MR1 products tanker Harris on her berth n Cape Town harbour, after arriving from Richards Bay. Picture is by ‘Dockrat’

Pictures by ‘Dockrat’
Story by Jay Gates

Shipping companies throughout the modern age have applied naming traditions to their whole fleet of vessels, or applied specific naming policies to classes within their fleet. In the case of the former, most times, the areas from which the names have been taken are easy to work out. In the case of the latter, it is sometimes not that easy, especially if the class names are taken from local geography, history, political or sporting heroes.

Examples of the former, seen regularly in South African ports in the past are Union Castle Line, with all their vessels named after Castles (Pretoria Castle), Clan Line with all their vessels named after Scottish Clans (Clan Robertson), Ellerman Lines with all their vessels named after Cities (City of Durban), and Harrison Line with all their vessels named after Professions (Author).

A good example of the latter, which would only be known by locals are those classes of Unicorn Lines named after rivers (Mkuze). Or Safmarine vessels, named after mountain ranges (S.A. Waterberg), or Wine Producers (S.A. Vergelegen), the last named one being completely unpronounceable for anyone not from South Africa, rather like Ngqura and Gqeberha.

Recently there was a run of arrivals of American owned vessels that seemed to be named after characters associated with the American Football Team, the New England Patriots. You would have to be a fan of either the team, or the sport itself, to have any idea of the nomenclature history of those names. This sporting link is used by other companies around the world.

On 17th July, at 13h00 in the early afternoon, the MR1 product tanker HARRIS (IMO 9379038) arrived off the Table Bay anchorage, from Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, and went to anchor for just under one day. At 10h00 in the morning of 18th July, she entered Cape Town harbour, proceeding into the Duncan Dock, and going alongside the inner berth of the tanker basin to begin her discharge.

Harris. Cape Town. 18 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

Built in 2009 by SLS Shipbuilding of Tongyeong in South Korea, ‘Harris’ is 179 metres in length and has a deadweight of 41,340 tons. Her length and weight identifies her not as the usual MR2 tanker class visitor, but that of the MR1 class, which have deadweight tonnages between 35,000 and 45,000 tons.

She is powered by a single MAN-B&W 6S50MC-C six cylinder two stroke main engine producing 11,665 bhp (8,580 kW), driving a fixed pitch propeller for a service speed of 15 knots. With twelve cargo tanks, ‘Harris’ has a cargo carrying capacity of 50,271 m3, and can carry seven grades of product at any one time. Her tanks are all coated with pure epoxy, with each tank having its own cargo pump capable of loading, or discharging, at a rate of 600 m3/hour.

Harris. Cape Town. 18 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

Nominally owned by Minsheng Yangtzi Tianjin Shipping, ‘Harris’ is operated by Stamford Shipping (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., of Singapore, whose houseflag she proudly displays on her funnel, and she is managed by Stamford Shipmanagement Pte. Ltd, also of Singapore. She is one of a class of four sisterships, with two of them owned by Stamford Shipping.
The early history of ‘Harris’ was one of company failures, as her shipbuilder SLS Shipbuilding, in South Korea, was declared bankrupt in 2015 and closed down. She was built for Ocean Tankers Pte. Ltd., of Singapore, and named ‘Ocean Spring’. Her owners were placed in liquidation in 2021, with a compulsory winding up order issued by the courts in Singapore. She was acquired by Stamford Shipping in April 2022, along with a sister ship, from the assets of Ocean Tankers.

Harris. Cape Town. 18 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

The unusual name of the ‘Harris’, as a Singapore owned vessel is one that becomes more clear when you look into the details of her owners, and her fleetmates. Her fleet mates are tankers with the names of ‘Wise’, ‘Lampard’, ‘Zola’, ‘Osgood’, ‘Cech’, ‘Vialli’, ‘Desailly’, ‘Di Matteo’, ‘Drogba’, and ‘Essien’. Therein lies the clue as to why ‘Harris’ is so named.

Every single vessel in the Stamford Shipping fleet is named after a famous former player of the Chelsea Football Club in London. Dennis Wise, Frank Lampard, Gianfranco Zola, Peter Osgood, Petr Cech, Gianluca Vialli, Marcel Desailly, Roberto Di Matteo, Didier Drogba, and Michael Essien. All of them also represented their countries at international level.

Ron Harris was a central defender, and a former Captain of Chelsea, who played for them between 1962 and 1980. He was a feared defender, and had the nickname ‘Chopper’. Further clues to the background to the name of ‘Harris’ can be found in the company name of her owner. Chelsea Football Club plays all of their home games at Stamford Bridge Stadium.

Harris. Cape Town. 18 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

A further background check of the founder of Stamford Shipping will show that he is a British citizen, who was educated at the great English Public School, Harrow, in North London, and he is no doubt a lifelong supporter of Chelsea Football Club. The funnel colours of the houseflag of Stamford Shipping are also in the famous blue colours of Chelsea Football Club.

Her journey down from Richards Bay, to Cape Town, took four days and nine hours, covering a distance of 936 nautical miles, at an average speed of 8.3 knots. Her recent itineraries have all been along the coast of South Africa, and ‘Harris’ has been delivering fuel product cargoes to Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and Richards Bay, since May of this year.

Harris. Cape Town. 18 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

Her previous travels, mainly in the Far East, and Middle East, had her transiting the pirate infested waters of both the Malacca Strait and the Gulf of Oman. This legacy is still visible with her deck facing bridge windows all being armoured with burglar bars, and with ‘Harris’ still having the permanent lookout mannequins being stationed at the aft end of the bridge deck.

This is not her first visit to Cape Town this year, and she was previously in Cape Town back in May with a parcel of fuel for the Mother City. Her current voyage had her first arriving in Richards Bay at 20h00 in the evening of 10th July, where she went to anchor. She entered Richards Bay at 23h00 in the late evening of 12th July, and spent just 24 hours discharging in the port. At 23h00 the next day, 13th July, ‘Harris’ was ready to depart from the KwaZulu-Natal port, for Cape Town, where she arrived on 17th July, and where she continues to discharge her cargo.

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IMO and IAPH MoU: Ship-port cooperation

The signing of the MoU. Picture: IMO

Edited by Paul Ridgway
London

It is reported by the IMO media service that the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and IMO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for future cooperation in the areas of climate and energy, data collaboration and risk and resilience of ship-to-shore operations.

This MoU was signed on 17 July by Captain K Subramaniam, President of IAPH and Mr Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, IMO. They were accompanied by Dr Patrick Verhoeven, Managing Director of IAPH. The signing ceremony took place in the sidelines of the 129th meeting of the IMO Council underway from 17-21 July.

Objective of this strategic partnership between IMO and IAPH is to assist developing countries, as identified jointly by both parties, to strengthen their maritime and port sectors and facilitate the adoption of sustainable maritime transport systems and practices.

It is understood that the Memorandum will make use of IMO’s experience as the United Nations Specialized Agency responsible for setting global standards for the safety, security and facilitation of international shipping and the prevention of pollution by ships, in collaboration with IAPH’s best practices and knowledge of the most advanced and sophisticated ports to achieve sustainable, inclusive and equitable development.

Improving capacities and infrastructures in ports in developing countries, in particular in least developed countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), is seen as critical in achieving the updated goals set out in the revised 2023 IMO GHG Strategy, adopted on 7 July.

The MoU is in line with the IMO MEPC Resolution 366 (79) that invites IMO Member States to encourage voluntary cooperation between the port and shipping sectors to contribute to reducing GHG emissions from ships.

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Adani Ports aims at becoming terminal operator at Dar es Salaam

The port of Dar es Salaam  Picture  TPA

Africa Ports & Ships

According to reports from within Tanzania, the Indian port operator Adani Ports together with fellow Indian operator Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), wishes to be appointed as a concessioned operator of a section of cargo berths in the port of Dar es Salaam.

The container berths 8-11 at the port became available recently with the departure of the Hutchison Port Holdings operator, Tanzania International Container Services (TICTS).

TICTS was the container terminal operator at the port for 22 years but failed to have its license renewed last December. In January APSEZ was contracted by Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) to operate the container berths 8-11.

Since then the Tanzania Ports Authority has also engaged in talks with the UAE and specifically, with DP World regarding the future management and operation of the Dar es Salaam port, which became a highly controversial matter in Tanzania.

But now to muddy the water further, it appears that APSEZ is seeking to widen its interest in the port beyond berths 8-11.

AD Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd are reported to have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) last year regarding the investing in logistics infrastructure and solutions in Tanzania, including maritime services, port operations, rail, digital services, industrial economic zones and the creation of academic facilities at the Dar es Salaam port.

Dar es Salaam Container Terminal    TPA

They see Tanzania and Dar es Salaam specifically with its 11 berths totalling 2,600 metres of quay, as a natural hub for a significant part of Africa.

Dar es Salaam port handles about 95% of Tanzania’s international trade. The port has a rated capacity of over 18 million tons, made up of 5.2 million tons of general (dry) cargo, 6.8 mt of containerised cargo, and 6 mt of liquid bulk cargo.

APSEZ is regarded as India’s largest private port operator, with 12 ports and terminals and interests in railways and other logistical operations. These include India’s first port-based Special Economic Zone in Mundra.

The group also provide dredging services with a fleet of 19 dredgers, the largest in India.

With the Indian Group’s expressed interest now in the African port of Dar es Salaam, exactly where Dubai’s DP World fits in is no longer so clear.

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The Black Sea Grain Initiative

IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim

 

 

 

 

 

Reported by Paul Ridgway
London

The following statement by the IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, refers to the cancellation by Russia of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

“I deeply regret to learn of the disruption to the Black Sea Initiative. The unimpeded flow of shipping around the globe is of critical importance and central to the work of the IMO.

“The movement of ships through the Black Sea Initiative and its impact in getting food to those who need it most, as well as stabilizing world food prices, is proof that shipping must always continue to move.

“IMO remains ready to support the UN’s efforts to find pathways for solutions to preserve the global supply chain and food security.”

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TNPA invites bids for container handling facility at Richards Bay port

Aerial view of the Port of Richards Bay, where a concessionaire for a container terminal is now sought. Picture: TNPA

Africa Ports & Ships

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is seeking bids via a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for a container handling facility at the Port of Richards Bay.

The invitation is to fund, design, develop, operate, maintain and transfer a container handling facility (terminal) for a 25-year concession period in the Bayvue Precinct of the Richards Bay port.

Users of the Zululand port have been calling for just such a terminal for more than 25 years.

The call follows a successful Request for Information (RFI) process held earlier.

Although Richards Bay is best known as a major dry bulk and liquid bulk port, it does handle containerised cargo in relatively small volumes. The installed capacity of Richards Bay at present is 50,000 TEUs.

“The RFI process has enabled TNPA to positively assess the market appetite for such a facility in Richards Bay and the responses have revealed that there is potential to grow the current capacity to an estimated 200,000 TEUs,” said Moshe Motlohi, TNPA Managing Executive for Eastern Region ports.

“The outcome of the RFI also gives TNPA the confidence that industry players are keen to invest in the development and hence we are able to proceed to the next step of requesting proposals.”

Greenfield site

The proposed facility is a Greenfield site with a total footprint of approximately 675,000 square metres, however the RFP bidders must request the proposed footprint required in line with their business case.

This development is aligned to the Master Plan for the Port of Richards Bay and is well suited to serve the Northern part of the KwaZulu-Natal Province due to its proximity to the hinterland market as compared to the Port of Durban.

According to Motlohi, the Richards Bay location will not only have the effect of reducing the logistics costs but also the transportation time too.

The RFP is expected to attract bidders that have some experience and capacity while also allowing new entrants and small medium enterprises within the container handling industry an opportunity to participate in this RFP process and in the construction phase.

RFP Documents

RFP documents accessible from the National Treasury’s e-tender publication portal http://www.etenders.gov.za/ and/or the Transnet website: https://transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net/Home/TenderDetails?Id=36020

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Three Chinese Navy ships to visit Cape Town next week

The PLAN destroyer Nanning (162) which will call in Cape Town from this coming Sunday.  Picture: Xinhua

Another visit to Cape Town by ships of the Chinese Navy will take place this weekend.

On Sunday 24 July the destroyer NANNING 162, the frigate SAN YA 574, and replenishment ship WEISHANHU 887, will arrive for a three-day courtesy call, departing on Wednesday 27 July 2023.

The flotilla or 43rd escort group will be arriving from a number of calls made in West and Central Africa, including the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Gabon and the DRC.

Visits to the West African countries by ships of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) are rare and signal the intention of the Chinese naval authorities to widen their sphere of influence.

In February this year a different task force consisting of three Chinese naval ships visited South Africa to take part in a naval exercise off the KZN coast. They had earlier seen duty on patrol in the Gulf of Aden region prior to coming to South Africa.

The Type 052D guided missile destroyer Nanning, pennant number 162, was commissioned in April 2021 after being built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai as an improved version of the earlier type 052C.

With a displacement of 7,500 tons, Nanning has a length of 161 metres and beam of 17.5m. Her propulsion is combined diesel or gas and she is designed for a complement of 280.

The destroyer’s armament consists of a 130mm gun, a HQ-10 short-range SAM 24-cell launcher, 64-cell Vertical Launch System (VLS) and an array of surface-to-surface, surface-to-air and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missiles. The destroyer also carries a Harbin Z-20 helicopter with appropriate helipad and hangar.

The frigate San Ya (pennant number 574), Type 054A, was commissioned on 30 November 2012 after being built also in Shanghai but at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding yard.

She displaces 4,053 tonnes and has a length of 134 metres and beam of 16m. Propulsion consists of a combined diesel and diesel CODAD system of four Shaanxi 16 PA6 STC diesels, generating 5,700 kW or 7,600 hp at 1083 rpm each and giving the frigate an estimated speed of 27 knots and an estimated range of 8,000 nautical miles.

San Ya has a reported complement of 165 personnel.

The ship’s main gun is a 76mm dual-purpose gun supported by two 7-barrel 30mm CIWS guns for close-in threats. She carries two ASW torpedo launchers and two anti-submarine rocket launchers with a total of 36 rockets carried. This missile capability consists of HQ-16 medium-range air defence missiles and anti-submarine missiles in a VLS system.

Equipped with a helicopter hangar the frigate should be carrying either a Harbin Z-9C or Kamov Ka-28 helicopter.

The replenishment supply vessel Weishanhu, Picture courtesy: Shipspotting

The Weishanhu, pennant number 887, is a type 903 replenishment ship that was commissioned in 2004. Displacing 20,500 tonnes, the ship has a length of 178.5 metres and beam of 25 metres.

Her propulsion consists of two diesels driving two shafts for a speed of 20 knots and with a range of 10,000 nautical miles. She carries a complement of 130.

The vessel has a helipad and hangar though she won’t generally be carrying a helicopter on board.

The type 903 is the standard type replenishment ship of the People’s Liberation Army Navy of which nine have been built and are in service.

Sudan evacuation

In April this year the destroyer Nanning and supply ship Weishanhu were requested to assist with the evacuation of 678 people from Sudan, during the outbreak of the civil war in the African country.

Both vessels, which were in the area at the time, were despatched to Port Sudan to assist with the emergency evacuation of mostly Chinese people fleeing the war-torn country. Altogether 678 people were brought onboard the two ships, of whom 668 were Chinese citizens living and working in Sudan, and 10 people of other nationalities.

Those uplifted were taken to the Saudi Arabia’s Port Jeddah, also in the Red Sea.

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South Africa & DRC working together over border delays

Africa Ports & Ships

Long-distance trucks assembling at the Kasumbalesa border crossing
South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed to address the challenges of infrastructure, equipment and procedures at the Kasumbalesa border border, in an effort to address the congestion and delays being experienced.

The irony might be that South Africa does not have a common border with the DRC, not by an extremely long distance.

The border post is however, a point of entry into the DRC from Zambia and is the main transit point for freight trucks from South Africa and various countries in the region.

“As part of addressing the challenges, we committed to support the DRC in automating the Kasumbalesa port of entry,” says SA Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga.

She said that other proposed solutions include the extension of border operations to 24 hours a day, the establishment of a one-stop border post as well as the use of alternative border posts to ease congestion at Kasumbalesa.

“We further agreed to support the use of railway as an alternative to decongest the Kasumbalesa road network and the development of a dry port,” she added.

Sindisiwe Chikunga

Chikunga recently held a bilateral meeting with her counterpart from the DRC, Minister Marc Ekila Likombo, where they agreed to undertake a joint ministerial visit to the Kasumbalesa port of entry, in the Province of Haut Katanga.

The joint visit to the border followed the successful 12th Bi-National Commission co-chaired by the Presidents of South Africa and the DRC on 6 July 2023.

Chikunga said the resolution of the Kasumbalesa port of entry requires the participation of the Zambian government in the conversation.

“To this end, I will be engaging with my Zambian counterpart on their participation in the discussions to find a lasting solution to the congestion problem.”

A dialogue and workshop is to be convened in South Africa on matters of mutual cooperation, covered in the memorandum of understanding (MOU), including resolution to challenges of the Kasumbalesa border post.

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Kenya’s six-year logging ban lifted- exports can resume

Africa Ports & Ships

Kenya’s President William Ruto, acting in the face of environmental concerns, earlier this month lifted the six-year old ban on logging

Ruto dismissed any concerns, saying the lifting of the ban was long overdue, and adding that the move was aimed at creating jobs and the improvement of the sector that relied on forest products.

The ban, introduced in 2018 by Ruto’s predecessor, was directed at preventing rampant logging and the illegal exporting of timber.

While announcing the lifting of legislation preventing logging in public forests, Ruto said the country couldn’t continue having what he called mature trees rotting in the forests while ordinary people suffer due to a lack of timber.

Calling it foolish, he said this was why it was decided to reopen the forests to legal logging where timber can be harvested and jobs created for local people, in particular the youth.

The decision has been welcomed by millers and timber merchants who were forced to cut jobs instead of trees.

Tax on imported furniture

The president also proposed an increase in taxes on imported furniture products as a means to incentivise the local industry.

The environmental protection organisation, Greenpeace, was quick to react, saying the action will bring catastrophic consequences for the east African country.

“Kenya’s forests hold immense value, serving as habitats for rare and endangered species and providing essential resources for the livelihoods of millions of local people,” said Greenpeace Africa.

“These forests are rich in biodiversity and offer critical ecosystem services. As carbon sinks, they play a vital role in mitigating climate change by absorbing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Additionally, they contribute to regulating water cycles, preventing soil erosion, and maintaining overall environmental balance.”

Dependence

The organisation said the dependence on forests is particularly significant for approximately 70% of Kenya’s rural population, who rely on them for their well-being.

“These communities engage in various activities, such as beekeeping and the collection of non-timber forest products. Forests are a sustainable source of food, fuelwood, and traditional medicines, supporting the local populations’ cultural practices and overall well-being.”

Greenpeace Africa said that since the Kenyan government imposed the ban on logging six years ago, significant progress has been made in forest protection and with combatting the climate crisis.

“Lifting the ban will undo all our hard work, as it will open the floodgates to commercial and illegal logging solely driven by profit. Our forests will be at the mercy of sawmillers who have no regard for the consequences.”

Total forest cover in Kenya has reached 12.13%, the equivalent of 7.180 million hectares, an increase from the 5.226m ha or 5.9% tree cover in 2018. Greenpeace notes however that the distribution of tree and forest covers in Kenya is not evenly distributed.

Illegal logging in many parts of Africa remains a major problem, with much of the wood being shipped to China or Vietnam.

Watch short Eye on Africa video on this subject [1:50)

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Proactive collaboration among all levels of government & business necessary for success of AfCFTA

AfCFTA constituents   Picture: AfCFTA

Africa Ports & Ships

In order to realise the benefits and opportunities of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), proactive collaboration is required between all levels of government and businesses.

That’s the message from Calvin Phume, Director of Africa Bilateral Economic Trade at the SA Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.

Phume made this statement at the AfCFTA awareness workshop, which took place in Bloemfontein, in the Free State.

The workshop was part of a nationwide series aimed at equipping export-ready South African Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs), private sector, women and youth-owned enterprises with knowledge on the benefits of trading under the AfCFTA.

AfCFTA is a flagship project of the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063 and aims to build an integrated market anchored on development integration.

It seeks to enhance intra-African trade through progressive elimination of tariffs, introduction of rules to manage non-tariff barriers among other things, opening up vast markets of over 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of over $3.4 trillion.

Phume said beyond the policy transformation and reforms, the AfCFTA seeks to ensure inclusivity of women and youth, including youth in the rural areas, development of SMMEs and overall industrialisation of the continent.

“Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of the population under the age of 30. Women make significant contributions to cross-border trade in many African countries.

“However, women and young people face challenges such as underemployment, lack of opportunities and other structural and financial challenges that hinder their ability to trade.

“The AU Assembly took a cautious decision to also include the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade on the Agreement.”

Phume said the AfCFTA encourages innovation, fosters competition and promotes the development of value-chains, thereby spurring industrialisation and job creation across sectors.

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Dredging Services: Making a garden for Nelson Mandela

TNPA Dredging Service lent a helping hand at a garden project near Durban this week on Mandela Day

Transnet National Port Authority, Dredging Services commemorated 67 minutes for Nelson Mandela International Day at the ‘Vuka Community Farm’, a Non-Profit Organization called Ikusasa Lethu Youth Organization that focuses on food security under the theme ‘One Home, One Garden’.

Ikusasa Lethu Youth Organization currently operates a Vuka Community farm, in Odidini to the southwest of Durban, assisting in the sustainability of the livelihoods of community members. Dredging services employees traveled to Umbumbulu to donate gardening equipment to the newly established branch of the community farm, which encourages food security for the impoverished community it operates in. TNPA also provided fencing for security purposes.

In conjunction with the gardening tools and fencing, iKusasa Lethu also received 1000 seedlings to be planted in the new garden.

TNPA Employee volunteers participated in planting the various seedlings in the new garden.

“Our current produce confines our aid to the Odidini community, the new farm will be making a broader impact for the Umbumbulu community,” said NPO Director Mondli Shangase.

The produce acquired from the vegetable garden is also distributed to older community members to help them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. “When the elderly receives their prescriptions from the clinic, they are advised to maintain a healthy diet by eating balanced and nutritious meals before taking their medication, the produce we grow contributes to that nutritious diet,” he added.

Ikusasa Lethu Youth Organization also received water tanks to help maintain their garden.

“We have a water crisis in South Africa, the water tanks will ensure fresh rainwater is stored and used to cultivate the vegetables to sustain them,” said TNPA Dredging Services Executive Manager Mzothule Zikalala.

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Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco to be the IMO Secretary-General

 

Arsenio Velasco

Reported by Paul Ridgway
London

On 18 July it was reported by IMO that the IMO Council had voted to appoint Mr Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco of the Republic of Panama as next Secretary-General.

Mr Velasco takes office for a four-year term as of 1 January 2024, subject to the IMO Assembly’s approval later this year.

Mr Kitack Lim will retire from the post at the end of this year after two terms as Secretary General, a post in which he took office in 2016.

Mr Velasco will be the tenth elected Secretary General of the London-based International Maritime Organization, which traces its origins back to a UN Convention of 1958 with the new Organization meeting for the first time the following year.

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Praise for Durban Container Terminal and port from citrus sector

Africa Ports & Ships

We’ve become accustomed to receiving critical news of problems and failures at the South African ports, particularly where it involves delays that prevent ships from berthing, or when they do, having to spend long periods in port as compared with equivalent ports in Europe and elsewhere.

It was pleasing therefore this week to read the comments of a South African citrus farmer saying that with the season now in mid-stream and at its peak, that the port was performing well.

And an unnamed Burgersfort packhouse manager is quoted in Fresh Plaza as saying there isn’t the congestion of previous years in Durban and that trucks are available.

He said that they are usually stopped from packing because the Durban depots are flooded with fruit “or something else is wrong.”

Instead, the South African industry is moving solid volumes, he reported, adding “I think we have to take off our hats to the port that we’ve come this far without issues.”

His remarks were made even as news was received of trucks carrying citrus from Nelspruit to Durban falling victim to arson.

However, there have been few of these and with police and army patrols, there have been no further reports of attacks on trucks on the roads.

In the same issue of Fresh Plaza, a Burgersfort citrus farmer said that despite the recent cold snap, which he said had helped boost the colour of the mandarin crop, things were going well.

With the season halfway through it was so far so good. Work at the packhouses was continuing “without respite.’

He said that logistically the season has been running without major hiccups. “Every now and then a cold store fills up but it’s soon loaded out.”

4,400 trucks carrying citrus per week

In his weekly letter to the industry, Citrus Growers Association CEO, Justin Chadwick, reports that 4,400 trucks carrying fruit are on the roads every week.

Owen Chadwick

Of these, 2,200 are in the northern regions, 1,200 in the Eastern Cape and 1,000 in the Western Cape.

Commenting on the recent spate of arson on the roads, Chadwick called for a strong case to be made for moving some of this tonnage “off the roads and onto the rail.”

As a cargo, citrus must move seamlessly through to the port, he wrote, with no delays en route.

“The CGA will continue to engage with Transnet Freight Rail and the government to address these challenges,” he said. source: Fresh Plaza, CGA

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WHARF TALK: trailing suction hopper dredger – WILLEM VAN ORANJE

The trailing suction hopper dredger Willem van Oranje arrives in Cape Town harbour. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

Pictures by ‘Dockrat’
Story by Jay Gates

That old chestnut about London Buses has raised its ugly head again. Only a fortnight ago, on 3rd July, the arrival within a short period of time of two Cable vessels, after not having seen one for a long time, was reported on in Africa Ports & Ships, and reminded readers of the old adage of never seeing a London Bus coming by, then two seem to turn up at once.

Not long ago a large Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) arrived in Cape Town for a brief stopover, as reported in Africa Ports & Ships on 4th July, and which was the first such arrival for some time. Lo and behold, not three weeks later and another large Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger has turned up. Talk about a repeat of the same London Buses!

On 13th July, at 13h00 in the early afternoon, the Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger (TSHD) WILLEM VAN ORANJE (IMO 9449065) arrived off Cape Town, from Soyo in Angola, and entered Cape Town harbour, proceeding into the Duncan Dock, and like a few other recent ‘transit’ vessels, made her way to the Passenger Cruise Terminal at E berth. Her arrival was expected to be short, for bunkers and fresh stores, and a possible crew change, due to her arrival berth.

Willem van Oranje. Cape Town, 13 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

Built in 2010 by IHC Merwede Shipyard at Kinderdijk in Holland, ‘Willem van Oranje’ is 137 metres in length, but with an overall length of 144 metres due to her bow pipework, and has a deadweight of 21,200 tons. She is powered by two Wärtsilä 12V32 twelve cylinder four stroke main engines, each producing 8,046 bhp (6,000 kW) and driving two controllable pitch propellers for an at sea transit speed of 15 knots. For added manoeuvrability she has two bow transverse thrusters, each providing 700 kW.

Her dredging auxiliary machinery includes a submersible dredge pump providing 3,500 kW, an inboard sand dredge pump providing 7,500 kW, and an ashore discharge pump also providing 7,500 kW. Her trailing suction pipe has a diameter of 1.2 metres, and ‘Willem van Oranje’ can dredge down to a depth of 62 metres.

Willem van Oranje. Cape Town, 13 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

 

She has not one, but two hoppers, with a total carrying capacity of 12,315 m3, and capable of holding 22,000 tons of sand and spoil. With three discharge methods available to her, ‘Willem van Oranje’ is capable of discharging by dumping her spoil and sand via four bottom doors, or she can conduct a rainbow discharge via her bow pipe, or she can pump the sand and spoil ashore via her bow discharge pipe, which has a diameter of 1 metre.

With accommodation for a crew of 24 persons, ‘Willem van Oranje’ is owned and operated by Koninklijke Boskalis Westminster NV, of Papendrecht in Holland, better known as Royal Boskalis, and she is managed by Boskalis Baggermaatschappij, also of Papendrecht.

Named after Willem van Oranje (1533-1584), who was the founder of the Dutch Royal House of Oranje-Nassau. A not well known fact in South Africa is that a future Dutch Willem van Oranje (1650-1702) became King William III of the United Kingdom, better known as ‘King Billy’ to the men of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland.

How many folk knew that a King of England was actually Dutch, and ruled from 1689 to his death in 1702. The Royal connection to the TSHD ‘Willem van Oranje’ is shown by the fact that she was launched by none other than Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, a fact that shows the importance placed on such a newbuild vessel.

Willem van Oranje. Cape Town, 13 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

In October 2019 ‘Willem van Oranje’ became the first dredger on the world to be operated by using 100% Biofuel, giving her a carbon reduction of 90%. This reduction is compared to conventional bunker fuels, and the Biofuel used was a sulphur free, residual fuel made from used cooking oil. This environmentally friendly development allowed her to be deployed on diverse, and environmentally sensitive, marine infrastructure projects around the world.

Prior to deploying to projects in Africa, ‘Willem van Oranje’ was utilised off the coast of North Wales, in the United Kingdom, where she undertook a project to improve coastal defenses around Colwyn Bay, by dredging over 1 million tons of sand from an offshore site, and pumping it ashore, raising the height of local beaches by 5 metres. The project cost US$18.31 million (ZAR330.25 million).

From North Wales ‘Willem van Oranje’ proceeded to the French side of the English Channel, and to the Fécamp Windfarm project, located just south of the port of Dieppe. A total of 71 gravity bases for wind turbine masts were laid onto a prepared bedding layer, and all were ballasted into position by ‘Willem van Oranje’. From there she proceeded to West Africa.

Willem van Oranje. Cape Town, 13 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

In December 2022 ‘Willem van Oranje’ began a complex dredging project known as the West African Coastal Areas (WACA) management programme. The programme was to enhance coastal protection to a 22 nautical mile long stretch of coastline straddling the borders of Benin and Togo. Coastal erosion in this area was creating a threat to vital infrastructure, and to the livelihoods of the local population.

The WACA management programme cost US$61.82 million (ZAR1.12 billion), and was financed by the World Bank. The project was for ‘Willem van Oranje’ to construct a ‘Sand Engine’, by transferring 7.5 million tons of sand from offshore sites, and depositing it all in a specified location along the coast, which would then allow for natural drift, wind, waves, and currents, to slowly move the sand engine, depositing the sand as it moves, and thus replenish the beaches along the targeted stretch of coastline. It took 800 trips for the ‘Sand Engine’ to be constructed.

Willem van Oranje. Cape Town, 13 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

From Lomé in Togo, at the end of the WACA Management Programme, ‘Willem van Oranje’ sailed south to Angola, and to the port of Soyo. Here she continued with the ongoing contractual requirements of Royal Boskalis to maintain the access channel, and the turning basin, in the LNG port that had been constructed by Royal Boskalis, in Soyo back in 2015. From Soyo, she proceeded to Cape Town.

These last few months have not been the only time that ‘Willem van Oranje’ has been responsible for development projects in Africa. Back in 2012 she was responsible for the dredging of the main channel in the Kenyan port of Mombasa to a depth of 15 metres. The dredging project was to allow for the safe passage of the new Panamax and Post Panamax container vessels, which were expected to arrive at the new Number Two Container Terminal in the port.

Dredging work also included the widening of both the main channel, navigation channel, and turning basin leading to the new container terminal. The berths along the length of the new container terminal were also dredged to a depth of 15 metres.

Willem van Oranje. Cape Town, 13 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

After a stopover in Cape Town of just two days, and where she had loaded fresh stores, and received bunkers from the Cape Town based bunker tanker ‘Lipuma’, she was ready to sail to her next assignment. At midday on 15th July ‘Willem van Oranje’ sailed from Cape Town, and as per the previous large trailing suction hopper dredger ‘Filippo Brunelleschi’ that had departed from Cape Town only a fortnight earlier, the destination of ‘Willem van Oranje’ was also set on her AIS as being Male in the Maldives.

In 2019-2020, Royal Boskalis had been responsible for the first phase of the expansion, and development, of the island of Gulhifalhu, adjacent to the main island of Male in the Maldives. The second phase of this large reclamation project will see ‘Willem van Oranje’ dredging no less than 18 million tons of sand from a specified site, and transferring it into the lagoon of the atoll in order to fill it in completely, and thus prepare it for commercial building development. The project will cost US$134.87 million (ZAR2.43 billion).

Willem van Oranje. Cape Town, 13 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

During the Covid-19 pandemic, even dredgers were not immune to the effects of the virus. In September 2020, a member of the crew of ‘Willem van Oranje’ tested positive for the Covid virus, and had to be quarantined in a local hotel, in the German port of Cuxhaven. All other crew members tested by the German Health Authorities tested negative for the virus.

Once ashore, a second test conducted on the man proved negative, and he was able to leave his place of quarantine, and was allowed to be repatriated back to Holland. At the time ‘Willem van Oranje’ was deployed in the deepening of the River Elbe channels, including that leading to the port of Cuxhaven. The project cost was US$224.8 million (ZAR4.05 billion).

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Financing confirmed for Djibouti’s Free Trade Zone

Financing for the carrying out of various development projects in the Djibouti Damerjog Industrial Development Free Trade Zone have been confirmed.

Announcing this on Monday, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) revealed that a US$ 120 million financing facility has been made available for a series of project in the Free Trade Zone.

The deal is part of a total facility amount of $155 million for work on the free trade zone.

The remaining $35 million is being financed through Banque pour le Commerce et l’Industrie Mer Rouge (BCIMR) of Djibouti.

Oil Jetty and Tank Farm

Proceeds of this financing facility will be used for the completion of the Damerjog Oil Jetty, which will provide marine connectivity to the free trade zone, and for the construction of a 150,000m³ first storage depot/oil tank farm, as well as for other costs related to the projects.

Transshipment Hub

The deal, which is Afreximbank’s first in Djibouti in collaboration with GHIH* and the government, is targeted at supporting the development of a trade-enabling infrastructure to assist Djibouti in achieving its plan to become a regional transshipment and logistics hub.

It will also promote intra-African trade, given that Djibouti’s economy is largely based on the provision of marine services to neighbouring nations Ethiopia and Somalia, by offering them a gateway for ocean-borne freight.

Significantly, also, the facility is providing support and capacity to SOMAGEC, a Moroccan construction company which is Afreximbank’s Intra-African Trade Champion.

Under the Intra-African Trade Champion programme, Afreximbank supports African companies to execute infrastructure projects in other African countries and assists them to compete globally with international players.

“The establishment of a jetty and bulk port in the Djibouti Free Trade Zone will add significant value to Djibouti’s role as a transshipment hub for neighbouring landlocked countries,” said Pro. Oramoh.

* GHIH (Great Horn Investment Holding), a state-owned investment holding vehicle of the Government of Djibouti, is responsible for logistics and transportation infrastructure. It holds interest in about 18 of the largest state-owned companies in the country, with a portfolio that includes companies in shipping, bunkering, management of free zones, storage, road transport and port security.

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Angola’s position as an oil and gas hub consolidated regionally

Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries (including Madagascar).  Map SADC

One of Africa’s major oil and gas producers, Angola is prioritizing regional collaboration to ensure energy security and stimulate growth across the regional energy sector.

By leveraging its position, resources and experience, Angola is forging strategic partnerships with neighboring countries, signing significant agreements, and initiating cross-border collaborations. These endeavours serve as an example for other African nations to enhance cooperation and foster sustainable development.

Angola-DRC Ink Landmark Agreement

In a notable development, Angola’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 13 July 2023 for the joint development of offshore Block 14 marks a significant milestone in the country’s pursuit of energy security.

Angola, for its part, has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening cooperation and promoting sustainable development and growth within the energy sector. This strategic alliance is aimed at not only boosting the energy sectors of both countries but also promote economic growth and stability across the continent.

Zambia-Angola Pipeline Enhances Connectivity

In 2021, Angola inked an MoU with Zambia for the construction of the $5 billion Zambia-Angola pipeline.

Southern African Development Community (SADC) (both greens) within the wider Africa context

The pipeline will transport petrol, kerosene, diesel and gas from Angola’s Lobito Refinery to Zambia.

Spanning approximately 1,400 km, it will have a capacity of 200,000 barrels per day.

The pipeline aims to reduce fuel prices in Zambia, benefiting the economy and population while also generating significant revenue for Angola.

The project underscores Angola’s commitment to fostering economic integration and job creation while supporting the development of neighbouring nations through an interconnected energy network.

CAPS Strengthens Regional Integration

In pursuit of advanced intra-African trade, Angola signed an MoU with a coalition of other African countries to establish the Central African Pipeline System (CAPS).

Under the terms of the MoU, the coalition will construct a regional oil and gas pipeline network, consisting of three multinational pipeline systems, including the Central Southern Pipeline System connecting Angola with the DRC, Rwanda and Burundi.

This project aims to alleviate energy poverty, promote economic integration, and enhance energy security in Africa.

By linking the oil-producing regions of these countries, CAPS will enable the efficient transportation of petroleum resources across borders, fostering stability and boosting economic progress in the region.

Amplifying support for SADC integration

Angola, being one of the founding members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is committed to cooperation, integration and development. Through this network, the country proactively engages with its regional neighbors, with recent plans underway to increase refining capacity for crude oil and petrochemicals within Angola to meet the growing demand in the SADC market.

This initiative is expected to create value for Angola, enhance supply security for the country and the region, and support sectors like agriculture and power generation that rely on by-products such as fertilizer and gas.

Inspiring model for African producers

By prioritizing cross-border partnerships and resource-sharing agreements, Angola is showcasing the potential for collective progress and stability within the energy sector.

This strategy not only promotes economic growth but also enhances regional integration, therefore strengthening Africa’s position on the global energy stage.

“The [African Energy] Chamber believes that regional collaboration is the key to unlocking the immense potential of the African energy sector,” says says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber (AEC).

“By working together, we can overcome challenges and create a sustainable future for all. Angola is proudly leading the way, using its position as a major oil producer to drive growth, promote stability, and foster meaningful partnerships across the region,”

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TRADE NEWS: Vesconite Hilube bearings for dredging companies

Vesconite Hilube no-swell lubrication-free bearings will be installed as the ladder pump bearings on a dredge that is currently undergoing a major maintenance overhaul.

The ladder pump shaft, with a Vesconite Hilube bearing with round grooves visible

This follows a field trial where the dredge owner installed the Vesconite Hilube bearings side-by-side with a competing elastomeric bearing material.

The test started in May 2022 and the bearings were inspected in May 2023. It was found that Vesconite Hilube offers the same wear performance at a more affordable price.

The ladder pump bearings support the shaft that runs along the length of the ladder and drives the ladder pump. The ladder is the component which is lowered into the water and, at the end of it, sits the dredge cutter head, the piece of equipment that cuts into the sediment or rock.

Read the rest of this report in the TRADE NEWS section available by CLICKING HERE

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The Black Sea Grain Initiative – Russia terminates

António Guterres, UN Secretary General

Edited by Paul Ridgway
London

On Monday (17 July) it was learnt that the Russian Federation had decided to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Immediately comments were received from the UN and WTO and we publish here highlights from each:

Comment by António Guterres, UN Secretary General

“I deeply regret the decision by the Russian Federation to terminate the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative – including the withdrawal of Russian security guarantees for navigation in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.

“This Initiative has ensured the safe passage of over 32 million metric tons of food commodities from Ukrainian ports.

“The World Food Programme has shipped more than 725,000 tons to support humanitarian operations – relieving hunger in some of the hardest hit corners of the world, including Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Yemen.

“The Black Sea Initiative — together with the Memorandum of Understanding on facilitating exports of Russian food products and fertilizers — have been a lifeline for global food security and a beacon of hope in a troubled world.

“At a time when the production and availability of food is being disrupted by conflict, climate change, energy prices and more, these agreements have helped to reduce food prices by over 23 per cent since March last year.

“With the decision to terminate the Black Sea Initiative, the Russian Federation also terminated its commitment to ‘facilitate the unimpeded export of food, sunflower oil, and fertilizers from Ukrainian controlled Black Sea Ports’ – as expressed in Paragraph 1 of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Russian Federation and the United Nations.

“Ultimately, participation in these agreements is a choice.

“But struggling people everywhere and developing countries don’t have a choice.

“Hundreds of millions of people face hunger and consumers are confronting a global cost-of-living crisis.

“They will pay the price.

“Indeed, we are already seeing a jump in wheat prices this morning.

“I am aware of some obstacles that remained in the foreign trade of Russian food and fertilizer products.

“This is precisely why I sent a letter to President Putin with a new proposal to keep the Black Sea Initiative alive.”

WTO Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Comment by WTO Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

“The abrupt termination of the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative is a matter of grave concern. I share UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s deep regret and disappointment.

“Global food security should not become a casualty of war. Ukraine and the Russian Federation are important suppliers of food, feed, and fertilizer to international markets.

“People in poor countries struggling with food and energy price inflation stand to be hit hardest by the termination of the initiative: prices for future delivery of wheat and corn are already rising. Therefore, I urge all parties to make every effort to come back to the negotiating table.

“Through the shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, open and predictable international markets for staple grains have been an indispensable source of resilience and food security among members at all income levels.

“At the World Trade Organization (WTO), we will continue to urge members to dismantle export restrictions and facilitate the flow of food from surplus countries to those facing deficits.”

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Added 18 July 2023

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BREAKING NEWS: ICTSI selected to manage & operate Durban Container Terminal DCT2

DCT 2 North Quay  Picture: TNPA

Africa Ports & Ships

Transnet has announced that Philippines-based terminal operator, International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), has been selected as the equity partner for the 25-year joint venture with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) at Durban Container Terminal, Pier 2.

Pier 2 is South Africa’s biggest container terminal, handling 72% of the Port of Durban’s container throughput and 46% of South Africa’s port traffic.

Pier 2’s current capacity is 2 million TEUs with plans to increase this to 2.8 million TEU.

The new company is required to achieve a minimum level 4 BBEE contribution status. Transnet will have majority ownership of 50% plus one share.

ICTSI is already active in four ports in Africa, in Nigeria (Onne), Cameroon (Kribi), the DRC (Matadi Gateway), Madagascar (Toamasina)

The Transnet announcement about the selection of an equity partner, as reported above, is lengthy, and rather than summarising it further than what we did earlier today (see above), we publish it here in full.

Transnet SOC Ltd (Transnet) is pleased to announce that the company has concluded the process of selecting an equity partner for its flagship Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2.

Transnet has selected an international terminal operator, International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), as the Preferred Bidder for the 25-year joint venture with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) to develop and upgrade the terminal.

DCT Pier 2 is Transnet’s biggest container terminal, handling 72% of the Port of Durban’s throughput and 46% of South Africa’s port traffic.

“Private sector participation in Pier 2 is a key catalyst for repositioning the Port of Durban as a container hub port. We are delighted to have a global player of ICTSI’s standing on board to drive this process,” says Transnet Group CE Portia Derby.

The finalisation of the process follows approvals from Government in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

The partnership with ICTSI will help reposition the terminal for best practice performance, ensuring growth in volume throughput, and will support the terminal in providing operational and commercial support to access global shipping line call routes.

This will not only improve the logistics associated with servicing South African ports, but will play a significant part in stimulating exports and imports. This is a growth strategy for Transnet where Pier 2’s current capacity of 2 million TEUs is planned to increase to 2.8 million TEUs.

This is aligned with plans by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to increase the current container capacity in the Port of Durban from 3.3 million TEUs to an eventual envisaged capacity of 11,4 million TEUs.

“The partnership in Pier 2 is a major step forward for our programme to bring in global expertise to improve efficiencies at our terminals, and bodes well for our ongoing plans to crowd in the private sector in areas identified for growth,” says Derby.

A total of 18 responses were received to Transnet’s initial call for request for interest in August 2021, nine of them from global terminal operators. Following this, a total of 10 bids were shortlisted in response to a request for qualifications. Of the shortlisted respondents, six bidders submitted proposals.

Key elements of the transaction are as follows:

A new company will be formed to manage the operations at DCT Pier 2, in which Transnet will have majority ownership of 50% plus one share.
The term of the transaction is 25 years, with an option to extend to a maximum of 30 years in the event that berth deepening of the North Quay at Pier 2 is delayed.
Non-current assets will be transferred into the new company, together with customer and supplier contracts. The new company is required to achieve a minimum level 4 BBEE contribution status.
The terminal operating licence and lease will be subcontracted to the new company, after seeking approval from Transnet National Ports Authority.
DCT Pier 2 employees will be seconded to the new entity. There will be no retrenchments, and employees will retain the same terms and conditions before and after the introduction of the private sector partner.

Transnet will now proceed to work with the Preferred Bidder to implement the transaction through the execution of the legal agreements, and ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory matters.

A way forward on the Ngqura Container Terminal process will be outlined in due course.

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WHARF TALK: of tankers and terminals – ELLIE M II

The MR2 product tanker ELLIE M II in Cape Ton harbour. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

Pictures by ‘Dockrat’
Story by Jay Gates

With the constant stream of tankers into South African ports to discharge fuel products of every description, one tends to forget that South Africa is only one part of a route network that fuel brokers, and fuel suppliers, are using as they constantly dispatch fully laden tankers to replenish both terminal storage tanks, and fuel farms, located in, or around, every port on the coastline.

These terminal storage tanks, and fuel farms, are also located in every other Southern African neighbouring state to South Africa, which is why you often see tankers discharging in one country, and then moving on to another to complete the discharge. As such, visitors arriving in Durban from Mozambique, or visitors to Cape Town moving on to Namibia are not uncommon. These other African nations are also lacking in domestic oil refining capacity, and need regular replenishment of their fuel storage capacity for their domestic needs.

However, Africa is bigger than South Africa, and broader than Southern Africa, with the Indian Ocean Islands and East Africa lying along the routes of tankers from India and the Persian Gulf. What you don’t often see is a tanker arriving from one of these neighbouring states outside of Southern Africa, after first discharging there, then continuing with the product discharge in a South African port, before sailing to a final discharge port in yet a third country, again outside of Southern Africa.

On 11th July, at 22h00 in the late evening, the MR2 product tanker ELLIE M II’ (IMO 9307994) arrived off Cape Town from Port Louis in Mauritius, where she had spent just over two days discharging at the oil terminal in that port. On arrival at Cape Town she entered the harbour, proceeding into the Duncan Dock and going alongside the tanker berth on the inside Eastern Mole to begin her discharge there.

Built in 2007 by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard at Ulsan in South Korea, ‘Ellie M II’ is the standard 183 metres in length for a MR2 tanker, and has a deadweight of 46,784 tons. She is powered by a single HHI MAN-B&W 6S50MC-C six cylinder two stroke main engine producing 11,640 bhp (8,561 kW) to drive a fixed pitch propeller for a service speed of 14 knots.

Ellie M II. Cape Town 12 July 2023. Picture: ‘Dockrat’

Her auxiliary equipment includes three Yanmar 6N21L-SV generators providing 660 kW each, and a single Valmet 634DSBIG emergency generator providing 200 kW. She has a single Alfa Laval Aalborg AQ-2 exhaust gas boiler and a single Alfa Laval Aalborg AQ-12 oil fired boiler.

She also has a retrofitted exhaust scrubber unit, fitted to the port side of her deck, and placed adjacent to her funnel. The scrubber unit has been enclosed, and painted in the colours of her owners, and gives ‘Ellie M II’ a lopsided look, when viewed from astern. A legacy of the days of rampant Somali piracy off East Africa, is that she still maintains a large store of orange anti-boarding boards, which are stacked on deck below her funnel.

Interestingly, rather than the standard 12 cargo tanks, and 2 slop tanks, that the majority of MR2 product tankers have, ‘Ellie M II’ has a total of 16 cargo tanks, plus 2 slop tanks, giving her a total of 18 tanks. Her cargo carrying capacity is 52,611 m3, and she has 16 cargo pumps, each capable of pumping products at 600 m3/hour. She is able to carry six grades of product at one time.

Built at a cost of US$30 million (ZAR543.3 million), ‘Ellie M II’ is nominally owned by Halsey 1 Ltd., but operated by Union Maritime Ltd., of London, and managed by Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (India) Pvt. Ltd., of Mumbai in India.

Ellie M II. Cape Town 12 July 2023. Picture: ‘Dockrat’

The voyage of ‘Ellie M II’ across from Port Louis, to Cape Town, took her eight days, and covered a total distance of 2,380 nautical miles, at an average speed of 10.6 knots. Her arrival in Port Louis was at the only marine terminal, in that island nation, where product tankers are able to discharge their cargoes, namely the Mer Rouge Oil Storage Terminal (MOST).

Mer Rouge means Red Sea in French, and Creole, and the Mer Rouge oil jetty was commissioned in 2008. Interestingly, it is located outside of Port Louis harbour itself, sitting facing the open sea, just outside the harbour entrance, and is subject to weather disruption and oceanic swells generated in the Cyclone season. The jetty is capable of taking just one tanker at any one time. The berth has a depth of 16 metres alongside, and tankers up to 64,000 deadweight tons can be accommodated on the berth.

The decision to place the oil discharge jetty in exposed this position was taken by the Mauritius Ports Authority as part of a strategic risk reduction measure, to remove the dangers associated with fuel products from within the harbour, and place it away from the main centre of population of the adjacent city.

Ellie M II. Cape Town 12 July 2023. Picture: ‘Dockrat’

In 2017, the new Mer Rouge Oil Storage Terminal (MOST) was commissioned, also away from the Port Louis outer harbour, on reclaimed land adjacent to the oil jetty. The MOST facility cost US$13.26 million (ZAR240.1 million) to build, and is capable of storing 15,000 m3 of petroleum products, and 10,000 m3 of diesel and gasoil. The MOST facility is a joint venture between Total Mauritius, Engen Petroleum, Vivo Energy, Indian Oil (Mauritius) Ltd., and the government owned State Trading Corporation (STC).

Adjacent to the MOST facility is the Indian Oil (Mauritius) Ltd. Oil Storage Terminal, which has storage capacity of 37,000 m3 of petroleum products and bunker fuels. There is also a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Terminal at Mer Rouge, which was completed in 2014 at a cost of US$42 million (ZAR760.41 million). The LPG terminal can store 15,000 m3 of LPG, in three covered 5,000 m3 bullet tanks, which is sufficient for all the domestic needs of Mauritius.

This LPG capacity is large enough to allow LPG exports to be made to neighbouring Indian Ocean islands, and to East Africa. The LPG offload facility on the Oil Jetty allows for LPG tankers with a capacity of 84,000 m3 to come alongside. In 2022 a total of 80,000 m3 of LPG was imported through this facility.

Ellie M II. Cape Town 12 July 2023. Picture: ‘Dockrat’

The fuel requirements for Mauritius in 2022 were for 205,000 tons of Mogas, 235,000 tons of diesel, 275,000 tons of Jet A1, and 50,000 tons of Marine Gasoil. All of the fuel requirements were contracted by the Government STC, to be provided by OQ Trading Ltd., which is a Government of Oman owned company. Unsurprisingly, ‘Ellie M II’ arrived at Port Louis from her loading port of Sohar in Oman. The 2022 LPG requirement for Mauritius was also provided through OQ Trading Ltd.

Port Louis handles around 1.5 million tons of fuel products per annum, plus her LPG imports through the Oil Jetty and MOST. The port infrastructure can handle as much as 4 million tons per annum if required. All fuel products, and LPG, are discharged directly into a pipeline network that transfers from the oil jetty to the storage terminals onshore.

One bulk liquid product that is also exported from the Oil Jetty, along with LPG, is that of Molasses, which is a byproduct of the sugar refining process. Mauritius is the 22nd largest exporter of sugar in the world, hence the appearance of Molasses as an additional export product. In 2022 Mauritius exported sugar products to the value of US$198 million (ZAR3.59 billion), with the majority of the exported sugar going to Europe.

Ellie M II. Cape Town 12 July 2023. Picture: ‘Dockrat’

After two and a half days alongside in Cape Town, discharging her products, ‘Ellie M II’ was ready to sail, and at 1000 in the morning of 14th July, she departed from Cape Town, with her AIS showing that she was now bound for Mombasa in Kenya, where a third discharge of fuel products was expected. This was not her first call scheduled for Mombasa in 2023, as on her previous voyage to this current one she had also conducted a three port itinerary, in May, with discharge calls at Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, Mogadishu in Somalia, and Mombasa.

Mombasa port has a large amount of oil storage terminals, as not only does the city possess an oil refinery, but the port itself is the main transit point for all fuel products that are destined for the neighbouring, and landlocked countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The port holds such importance for this trade, that a brand new oil terminal was commissioned in 2022, called the New Kipevu Oil Terminal (KOT).

Built to cope with the growing demand from Kenya’s domestic requirements, as well as those of her East African neighbours, KOT was to replace an existing terminal at Kipevu which could only accommodate one vessel at a time, and was limited to vessels of a maximum deadweight of 35,000 tons, and could not be expanded for the growing needs of the region.

Ellie M II. Cape Town 12 July 2023. Picture: ‘Dockrat’

The new Kipevu Oil Terminal (KOT) was originally budgeted to cost US$282 million (ZAR5.11 billion), but due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and other factors, in the end cost US$385 million (ZAR6.97 billion) to construct. The new terminal has four berths, on a combined total quay length of 770 metres, and can handle three product tankers and one LPG tanker at any one time, all up to a deadweight of 200,000 tons.

It was built directly opposite the old Kipevu Oil Terminal, on an island across from the Mombasa Second Container Terminal. The terminal facilities are connected to the oil storage terminals, on the other side of the channel by a series of five pipelines that connect directly with the storage tanks of both the Kenya Pipeline Co., and the Kenya Petroleum Refineries Ltd.

All of the new connecting pipelines have been buried a full 26 metres beneath the harbour channel seabed, in order to facilitate any future development in the harbour that requires the main channel to be dredged to a deeper depth, to cater for the next generation of container vessels, and larger tankers.

Ellie M II. Cape Town 12 July 2023. Picture: ‘Dockrat’

With a further storage capacity increase of 25,000 m3, the new Kipevu Oil Terminal was built by the state owned China Communication Construction Company (CCCC), with owned subsidiary contractors China Road and Bridge Corporation (EPC), and CCCC Fourth Harbour Engineering Co. Ltd. carrying out the programme of works.

Unsurprisingly, one of the concerns raised during this construction process was linked to apprehension of taking on Chinese debt, based on the Sri Lankan experience at Hambantota port. Local concerns were raised as it was considered that there was no full transparency on contract details regarding terms, finance, who was the financier, security, ownership, and management of the new terminal facility in the port.

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Mozambique has concerns over South African truck attacks

Truck set aight near Waterval Boven on the N4 to Maputo. Picture: SAPS

The Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA) says the crisis over the attacks on road transport in South Africa, with more than 20 trucks having been stopped and burnt, represents a threat to Mozambique’s economy.

A number of the trucks affected by the stoppage and burning near Waterval Boven were coming to or going from Mozambique and at least one truck was carrying Mozambique number plates.

However, a number of truck operators have their vehicles registered in South Africa and are not visibly Mozambican.

Flávio Naiene, vice-president of CTA for freight transport, said the economy will go backwards, “because people are afraid to invest, to put their trucks on the street.

“This will bring many problems, both for transport operators and for commerce,” he told Lusa, the Portuguese language news service.

Mozambique sources say many trucking operators are simply parking their vehicles until there is some clarity about safety on the South African side of the border.

Trucks burning, Mpumalanga 

In recent months Mozambican authorities have issued warnings to people not to drive on South African roads at night.

In South Africa the army has been deployed to assist the police in maintaining law and order and trouble spots are being more regularly patrolled.

At the same time it is reported that at least three arrests have been made but whether this means the instigators or simply those who carry out the attacks is not yet clear.

Naiene said he thought the perpetrators wanted to send a message to the South African government, because there was no looting and it was clear their motives were not to steal.

He called on Mozambican authorities to persuade their counterparts in South Africa to increase security at the most critical points and to place more police on the roads and to make use of more surveillance equipment.

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Hapag-Lloyd’s new fortnightly West Africa Service well underway

Africa Ports & Ships

Hapag-Lloyd’s new fortnightly West Africa Service between Tanger Med in the Mediterranean and several West African countries is well underway after having commenced in mid-May.

The service operates between Tanger Med, Nouakchott, Freetown, Conakry, Monrovia and back to Tanger Med.

The WA1 service establishes Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia as new markets for the shipping line and further boosts import and export economic opportunities in the region.

Monrovia call

One of the calls is at Liberia’s capital city and port, Monrovia, in which APM Terminals Monrovia is the only container and general cargo terminal in the West African country.

Recent dredging operations widened the port channels and saw the removal of around one million cubic metres of sediment. As a result, the terminal’s draft has increased from 9.5 metres to 12.5 metres, allowing larger vessels to enter the Freeport.

APM Terminals Monrovia reports that over recent years, a focus on reducing vessel waiting times and port stay reductions has paid off. Currently, it says, the terminal averages first lift within around 30 minutes of berthing. And vessel waiting times are now consistently under 24 hours.

Ease of business and continuous improvements in customer experience are additionally enhanced by port automation and digitization. In 2022, APM Terminals Liberia became the first to introduce the company’s global Truck Appointment System, to streamline visits to the terminal.

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Mozambique exports 100,000 tons of eucalyptus to Europe

Africa Ports & Ships

Mozambique has succeeded in exporting in excess of 100,000 tons of eucalyptus wood to Europe.

The consignment of eucalyptus timber, mostly in log form, is the largest volume handled since Mozambique gained its independence in 1975.

Some 85 per cent of the timber originated in the province of Manica.

Manica’s provincial governor, Francisca Tomás, speaking at a technical forestry meeting, attended by technicians from the provinces of Zambézia, Tete, and Sofala and Niassa, said that the European market for eucalyptus absorbed the majority of exports for this commodity.

Tomás did not provide specific export figures but in the past year between March and the end of this year’s first quarter, the country exported over 100,000 tons. source: Notícias

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It wasn’t a good week for SA transport

Truck torched along the N4 highway between Machadodorp and Waterval Boven. Picture: SAPS

by Terry Hutson
Durban

It’s not been a good week for transport in South Africa. A rather disastrous one, in fact – so much so that the army has again been called out to provide security across four provinces.

It just so happens to be the anniversary of the July 2021 riots that brought mayhem and sorrow to KZN, Mpumalanga and parts of Gauteng. KZN is still recovering from those few days. Some felt back then that there was a political motive, connected to the jailing of ex-President Jacob Zuma. Of course, it may just be a coincidence that last week the ex-president was ordered by the highest court in the land to return to jail from where he had been controversially released on questionable medical grounds.

Zuma instead took a commercial flight to Russia to consult over his health.

Authorities last week were quick to dismiss any idea of an anniversary event. Yet days later the army was called out to render assistance to the police. As the lads on South Beach used to say, “Go figure!”

Police Minister Bheki Cele has at least admitted there is a possibility of economic sabotage being the motive for the latest spate of truck burning, where at least 21 trucks were torched on several major roads in KZN, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

He also believes they have identified the 12 or so people responsible for the latest outbreak of truck burning and three arrests have reportedly been made. Funny, it was also 12 that were said by the authorities to have planned the 2021 riots.

South Africa will trust he is right this time and that this will lead to quick prosecution and sentencing of those behind the burning – not just the men on the roads but the ring-leaders. Don’t hold your breath though – we are still waiting for arrests and convictions of those 12 top people who instigated the 2021 riots (and truck burning).

Not impressed

One person who is not impressed with the ability of the police to properly arrest the wanton destruction of road transport, is Gavin Kelly, the Road Freight Association CEO.

Gavin Kelly

He told Daily Maverick last week that he had “zero” confidence in the police making any progress in this matter.

According to Kelly, who has reason to know, this problem has been around for six years or so. Drivers have been killed, he said. Trucks and drivers have been burnt and seriously injured yet there has been no court case where the perpetrators have been “brought to book”.

Meanwhile, the army has been deployed but remains under the direction of the South African Police Services. It can only be hoped that this action will help nip any further attempts at disrupting transport companies from carrying out their legitimate deliveries to our ports and warehouses.

And according to Minister Cele, the police are searching for the 12 people thought to be responsible for last week’s burning of trucks.

Richards Bay Terminals, multi-purpose and dry bulk  Picture: TNPA

Richards Bay Terminals closed

Then, as the week drew to a close, came news that much of the port of Richards Bay had been closed on environmental grounds, affecting the dry bulk and multi-purpose terminals although not the Richards Bay Coal Terminal.

This worsened the situation on the roads leading to the port, where there was already severe congestion.

Why did the port terminals close?

This remains something of a mystery. There was immediate speculation that coal dust might be the cause – with the thousands of incoming trucks the result has become a serious dust and therefore health problem, affecting not only those seeking to enter and work within the port, but the neighbouring townsfolk as well. The main road leading to the port is shared by the CBD and suburbs.

Then on Saturday (15 July) came the news from Transnet that operations at Richards Bay Terminals had resumed the night before after the operator, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), had complied with a notice to clear waste tyres and a stockpile of mineral waste within the terminal’s premises.

Was this the reason to shut down what was virtually the entire cargo handling section of South Africa’s largest bulk port? Transnet National Ports Authority, forcing sister company TPT to halt its operations! Was it only then that TPT was able to come forward with an implementation plan, after having set in progress some of the environmental management commitments.

Couldn’t a strong warning and timeline for rectification be sufficient to have kept the gates open?

Anyone who had had anything to do with Transnet knows how they like having meetings. Surely a meeting of managers and supervisors from both Transnet companies could have avoided the shut-down, which must have caused irreparable harm. Is it any wonder that South Africa’s ports are held in such low esteem over their respective operations?

And yet Transnet continues talking up its Master Plans involving tens if not hundreds of billions of rands, when each and every customer and organisation using the ports knows from first-hand experience that the most pressing need is for an improvement in simple efficiency and productivity.

Closing a port is not a solution, especially not when the news is spread instantly across the world and adds further to the negative conviction that others have for South African ports.

***

Watch now two videos about the SANDF deployment to assist the police and about AgriSA giving its support.

SABC video [7:22] ‘SANDF deployment to assist/support SAPS’

…and the second video from NewsRoom Africa [7:31] ‘AgriSA backs SANDF deployment to deal with truck arson’

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WHARF TALK: in with one name, out with another – VB RHYNO

The newbuild tug VB Rhyno in Cape Town harbour, with a Hamburg Sud container vessel filling the background. Picture is by ‘Dockrat’

Pictures by ‘Dockrat’
Story by Jay Gates

It is not unknown for a vessel to arrive in Cape Town with one name, to then change owner, and depart with a completely different name. It is unknown that a vessel arrives in Cape Town, belonging to a specific and well known company, and travelling on a company name as promulgated on AIS, only to depart with a different name, but still being a fleet asset of the same specific, and well known company.

What is even more unusual about the renaming of the vessel in question is that she is on her delivery voyage from the shipyard. It is one from the great Damen stable, and is another superb example of their range of harbour tug, and the renaming was due to the confirmation of where she was ultimately heading for.

On 9th July, at 19h00 in the early evening, the harbour tug VB RHYNO (IMO 9963944) arrived off Cape Town, from Port Louis in Mauritius, and entered Cape Town harbour. Her arrival was unusual as she proceeded, not into the Duncan Dock as expected of most similar arrivals, but instead sailed into the Ben Schoeman Dock, and headed for the very far end of the dock, where she entered the Elliot Basin, and went safely alongside.

VB Rhyno. Cape Town 10 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’

Built in 2023 at the Damen Song Cam Shipyard (DSCS) at Haiphong in Vietnam, ‘VB Rhyno’ is 23 metres in length, with a beam of 12 metres, and has a gross registered tonnage of 263 tons. She is powered by two Caterpillar 3512C main engines providing 2,551 bhp (1,902 kW) each, which drive two Kongsberg US205 azimuth thrusters, each nozzled and with propeller dimensions of 2.8 metres, giving her an underway sea speed of 13 knots.

Her manoeuvrability, and stability, are further aided by having twin hull skegs. Her auxiliary machinery includes two Caterpillar C4.4 TA generators providing 85 kW each. Her exhaust emissions are compliant with IMO Tier III standards. Her firefighting capability is FiFi1 with two monitors capable of pumping a water/foam mixture at 1,200 m3/hour. There is accommodation provided for a crew of six persons.

One of the Damen 2312 Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) design class of harbour tug, and for harbour, and towage, operations ‘VB Rhyno’ has a covered towing winch, located underneath the bridge, with direct access to both the bow and stern, giving her a forward bollard pull of 70 tons, and an astern bollard pull of 65 tons.

VB Rhyno’ is owned by Boluda Corporación Marítima SL, of Valencia in Spain, with the Boluda houseflag proudly displayed on the side of her accommodation. She is both operated and managed by Boluda Towage, of Rotterdam in Holland. Boluda was originally founded as a shipping company back in 1837, with the modern company coming into being in 1930, in Valencia.

VB Rhyno. Cape Town 10 July 2023.  Picture by ‘Dockrat’ 

Today, Boluda are the second largest company in the world operating in towing sector, with a fleet of over 300 tugs (actually a total of 312 tugs). As well as harbour tugs, Boluda operate in the oil and gas sector, the offshore construction sector, and ocean towage. They carry out harbour tug operations in 16 countries, under the auspices of 45 port authorities, including Africa where they have harbour tug operations in Tangier, Dakar, Abidjan, Lomé, and Douala.

Her voyage across from the Song Cam shipyard follows a similar route to all other newbuild Damen harbour tugs that are on their delivery owners to their new places of operations. As always, the ferry voyage takes place under the flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with her port of registry being Kingstown. The route is always from Song Cam, where her voyage began on 14th May, to Singapore for bunkers, then the long Indian Ocean crossing to Port Louis in Mauritius, also for bunkers, thence on to Cape Town for her 9th July arrival.

The Cape Town stopover is always slightly longer than a standard 12 hour bunker call, as it provides the opportunity for ‘VB Rhyno’ to be given the once-over by Cape Town Damen engineers and technicians, from the local Damen shipyard, in order to iron out any delivery snags that have arisen on the voyage across.

VB Rhyno. Cape Town 10 July 2023. Picture by ‘Dockrat’ 

However, her arrival in Cape Town was delayed by 48 hours, as ‘VB Rhyno’ was forced to take shelter in Struisbaai, on the eastern side of Cape Agulhas, and obtain a weather lee from the raging Northwesterly gale that was pounding the Western Cape on the 6th and 7th July, and resulted in snow falling in Johannesburg for the first time in a decade. She was joined in Struisbaai by a number of small fishing vessels taking advantage of the shelter that the bay provides from the winter, storm force, Northwesterly gales.

Her builders, Damen Song Cam Shipyard (DSCS) are located on the Cãm River, outside Haiphong City, located at 20°51’ North 106°41’ East. The shipyard was constructed in 2014 as a joint venture between Damen (70%), and Song Cam (30%), who are a subsidiary of the state owned Shipping Industry Corporation (SBIC) of Vietnam.

The DSCS is the preferred location for Damen tug and workboat construction of their vessel designs up to 60 metres in length. It sits on a 42 hectare site, and in May 2023 DSCS became the 12th Damen Global Service Hub, for all Damen built vessels, providing lifecycle support for all vessels within the Southeast Asia region.

DSCS is one of many shipyards in the Damen worldwide stable, and has an undercover building and outfitting hall, with dimensions of 120 metres by 60 metres. It has a climate controlled paintshop, which provides great quality control, and has an available, combined, quayside length of 500 metres. Newbuilds, and vessels for service, can be lifted into, or out of, the shipyard waters by a 60 metre long Rolls-Royce Shiplift.

VB Rhyno. Cape Town, 10 July 2023.  Picture by ‘Dockrat’

The building capacity of DSCS was for 40 new hulls per annum, which is now increasing to 50 new hulls per annum. Additionally, capacity is being increased for vessel outfitting to rise to 80 vessels per annum. The Damen 2312 ASD tug, of which ‘VB Rhyno’ is a fine example where, in 2022, there was more than one delivery per month of this model of harbour tug, and a total of 13 of them were delivered by DSCS in the full year.

Although she arrived as ‘VB Rhyno’, she appeared to have lost the ‘Rhyno’ in her name when she was alongside in Cape Town, and was seen to be named simply as ‘VB’. It was soon announced in Boluda news that she had been contracted to begin operations in the West African port of Lomé in Togo, with an expected name change to ‘VB Lomé’.

So arriving with one name, and departing with another, whilst remaining under the same ownership, she was ready to continue her delivery voyage. With shoreside support staff from Damen in Cape Town being happy with her in all respects, she sailed from Cape Town at 10h00 in the morning of 12th July, with her AIS destination being set as Lomé.

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Service changes on South Africa-Europe Container Service

In a service update provided by Ocean Network Express (ONE), several ships of the the South Africa – Europe container services (SAECS) are being affected due to operational delays at South African ports.

The following changes, says ONE, are necessary to maintain service schedule integrity and will affect the container vessels, SANTA TERESA voy.232S/N, MOL Proficiency voy.232S/N, and SANTA CRUZ voy.232S/N.

The vessel Santa Teresa swapped positions with Santa Cruz in Durban for operational reasons and to protect departures in Cape Town and European discharge/load.

MOL Proficiency has omitted the Cape Town export call and will proceed direct to Europe from Durban, giving a fast transit ex Durban to Europe markets and preserving Europe southbound schedules, effectively swapping places with Santa Cruz.

Details available on the ONE website

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Mozambique suspends all offshore marine activity along Beira coast.  

Beira’s fishing port,  Picture  Noticias

Mozambique’s Maritime Transport Institute (ITRANSMAR) last week suspended all coastal offshore marine activity due to adverse weather conditions.

The drastic action was felt necessary because of high winds gusting to 70 kph and rough seas, as a cold front moved across the central Mozambique Channel.In addition to the high and gusting winds, the seas were being whipped up with waves of in excess of five metres along the Beira coastline.

Speaking to the Portuguese language newspaper Notícias, an ITRANSMAR officer, Catarina Vasco, said the suspension had been well accepted by the fishing fleet and operators of ferries that carry passengers to destinations along the central Mozambique coast.

She said they understood the reason was to safeguard people.All the coastal communities were advised of the prohibition, Vasco said, stressing that all boats are banned from putting out to sea.

Vasco drew attention to the cold front, as being associated with the severe winter, especially in Beira city, where the minimum temperatures were between seven and 12 degrees Celsius.

One maritime transport operator was quoted as saying it was a natural phenomenon that cannot be avoided, “although it complicates my business. I will have to pay my employees without working and without knowing when we can resume.”

Source AIM and Notícias

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Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce KG GCB OBE DL remembered

With the then Duke of Cambridge, Commodore-in-Chief Submarines, Lord Boyce was at the unveiling of the submariners’ monument at the National Memorial Arboretum in May 2022. Commodore Paul Dunn, the head of the Service at right. Photo: MoD Crown Copyright 2022 ©

Reported by Paul Ridgway
London

A service of thanksgiving for the life and work of Admiral of the Fleet Lord Boyce was held in Westminster Abbey on 13 July.HM The King was represented by Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of Defence Staff, HRH The Princess Royal was represented by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence.

Lord Boyce’s life was one of service and duty over a long and distinguished career. Many tributes were paid including one by Admiral Sir George Zambellas, former First Sea Lord.

The service was attended by many friends, associates and representatives of the organisations with which he was involved.

The great seafarers’ hymn, Eternal Father, strong to save, known the world over as the Navy Hymn, was sung with the usual gusto. Fine music was provided by the Band of the Royal Marines (Collingwood) and the Abbey’s Special Service Choir and organ.

The never forgotten Royal Marine quick march, Hearts of Oak was heard and a Processional March written in honour of Lord Boyce was piped by Lance Corporal Frank Rochford.

Lord Boyce died on 6 November 2022, aged 79.

Born in April 1943 in Cape Town to Commander Hugh Boyce DSC and his wife, Madeline (née Manley) he came to England for his education at Hurstpierpoint College prior to joining the Royal Navy in 1961 at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.

He qualified as a submariner and served in HM Submarines Anchorite, Valiant and Conqueror, subsequently commanding Oberon and Opossum, before serving as Staff Warfare Officer to Captain (SM) Submarine Sea Training.

Promoted Commander in 1976, he commanded Superb before moving to the Ministry of Defence (Directorate of Naval Plans) and became Captain in 1982. Following command of the frigate Brilliant and appointment as Captain (SM) Submarine Sea Training, he returned to the MoD as Assistant Director (Warfare).

He became Senior Naval Officer Middle East and later Director of Naval Staff Duties. After promotion to Rear Admiral he was appointed Flag Officer Sea Training at Portland, and served as Flag Officer Surface Flotilla and NATO Commander Anti-Submarine Warfare Striking Force.

He was promoted Vice Admiral in 1994, and in 1995 was appointed Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command as Admiral. He became Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Commander-in-Chief Eastern Atlantic and Commander Allied Naval Forces North-western Europe in 1997 and First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in 1998, the year he was created First and Principal Naval ADC. He was appointed GCB in June the following year.

In 2001 he was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff and retired from the Royal Navy after 42 years’ service in 2003 in which year he was created a Life Peer as Baron Boyce of Pimlico.

He was awarded the Honorary appointment of Admiral of the Fleet in June 2014.In 2004 he was appointed Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover Castle. He was an Elder Brother of Trinity House.

Within the realms of the Orders of Chivalry Boyce was King of Arms of the Order of the Bath in 2009-2018. In 2011 he was made a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter and appointed Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom in 2021

The Order of Service of the Thanksgiving Service is available on the Westminster Abbey website.

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ME news: MSC named the World’s Most Inspiring Liner Service

MSC Irene, Durban, December 2020. Picture by Trevor Jones

In a regional event held in Dubai, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) was named as the World’s Most Inspiring Liner of the year.

During the past ear MSC has grown into the world’s largest liner company, outstripping the previous biggest shipping company, Maersk.

Since then MSC has continued growing in number of ships and capacity of containers and is far ahead of the other companies, with Maersk in second position.

Of interest is that both MSC and Maersk handle the far greater volume of container traffic being imported or export from South Africa.

In the short [3:41 ] YouTube video below you can watch the naming of MSC as the World’s Most Inspiring Liner at the function in Dubai, which includes a short film from MSC themselves displaying their drive, passion and mission.

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ME News: CMA CGM named World’s Most Inspiring Sustainable Shipping Initiative

CMA CGM Jacques Saade, first LNG-powered container ship. Picture: CMA CGM

At the same event held in Dubai, French container carrier, CMA CGM, was selected as having the Most Inspiring Sustainable Shipping Initiative.

The election of CMA CGM into this category took into account how important sustainable shipping is with climate change and resultant IMO regulations.

In the YouTube video [3:10] below, CMA CGM explains their corporate vision and how they encompass an entire and massive supply chain to reach a sustainable, interconnected chain.

Other regional awards were made to:

DP World’s Jebel Ali continues its reign as the Most Inspiring Port in the Middle East (ME)

and ….

King Abdullah Port (Red Sea) wins the ‘Most Inspiring Port Efficiency’ award.

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UPDATE: Richards Bay Terminals fully operational again

Port of Richards Bay Dry Bulk & Multi-Purpose Terminals, re-opened  Picture TNPA  

Africa Ports & Ships

Operations have resumed at the Transnet Richards Bay Terminals following the lifting of a notice to comply with the clearing of waste tyres and a stockpile of mineral bulk waste within the terminals’ premises.

The terminals presented an implementation plan to the Transnet National Ports Authority and said some of the environmental management commitments contained in the plan are already in progress.

Transnet however is urging transporters companies to continue holding back further dispatching of trucks until further notice, which it says will be communicated.

Trucking companies are likewise requested to make use of the mandatory truck booking system to ensure that trucks do not all call the terminals at the same time.

In the statement, the Richards Bay Terminals said it would like to apologise to all stakeholders for the inconvenience the temporary closure has caused.

“We are grateful for the partnership and understanding that customers have demonstrated during this time.”

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Richards Bay port at virtual standstill following ‘stop work’ order

Richards Bay Terminals, with MPT in foreground and beyond is the Dry Bulk Terminal  Picture TNPA  

Africa Ports & Ships

The Port of Richards Bay is this weekend unable to conduct any cargo working* at the Richards Bay Terminals, operated by Transnet Port Terminals, because of certain unspecified environmental matters.

According to a statement issued by Transnet on behalf of Richards Bay terminals, which is responsible for the dry bulk and multi-purpose operations at the Zululand port, all cargo and other working has come to a halt over the instruction.

“While the terminals have immediately responded with a program of action to urgently address the raised matter, operations have been ceased with immediate effect,” the statement reads.

“The terminals would like to hereby request that all transporters suspend all truck dispatches to the terminals.

“According to an internal memorandum, the terminals were served with a Non-Compliance Stop Work Certificate.

This order to suspend operations does not apply to the railed coal exports at Richards Bay Coal Terminal, which is served only by rail. No road truck deliveries are made to RBCT.

The stop-work order has exacerbated the massive challenges the port is facing with hundreds of laden trucks arriving to deliver coal and other minerals at the dry bulk terminals or to the multi-purpose terminal section.

“TNPA has urged transporters to halt the dispatching of trucks to the Port until the terminal operator complies with the conditions of the stop certificate,” the document states.

The port and town surrounds have been grappling with the dramatic increase in the number of road trucks arriving with minerals for export via the port, which has become a serious problem that developed after Transnet Freight Rail was unable to deliver by rail the expected volumes made available by the mines.

TFR’s own problems arose with a shortage of locomotives and from several derailments that have seen coal export annual volumes decrease from the mid 60s to barely 50 million tons.

Current exports if annualised will show a further decrease this year to below the 50mt mark.

Derailment on the SA-Maputo rail corridor?

* UPDATE: Monday 17 July – this derailment near Waterval Boven has since been confirmed. The line is expected to become operational later today (Monday).

An as-yet unconfirmed report* says that a derailment has occurred on the single track line from South Africa to the port at Maputo, shutting the line until it can be cleared and repaired.

The report says the derailment occurred near Waterval Boven which readers will recall is where road trucks were stopped and torched last Sunday. The train accident, if this report is correct, took place on the same Sunday.

Further down the road severe congestion at the Lebombo border crossing continues, with trucks backed up along the road stretching almost 20 kilometres and subsequent delays in crossing the border. The majority of trucks are carrying minerals and ores for export through the Mozambican port.

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