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TODAY’S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS

Newsweek commencing 18 August 2024.  Click on headline to go direct to story : use the BACK key to return.  

FIRST VIEW:   CS LEADER

• Feature: Development of deepwater container port at Banana, DRC
• The Future is Now: AAL Limassol record-breaking maiden voyage
• AAL introduces monthly express heavylift Europe-Asia liner service
• Maersk opens its largest Middle East Logistics Park in Jeddah
• WHARF TALK: first ‘Ammonia-Ready’ container vessel – CMA CGM MASAI MARA
• BMA Commissioner visits Port of Cape Town
• Oil tanker attacked by Houthis, on fire and abandoned in Red Sea
• Chinese hospital ship on goodwill visit to Cape Town
• Weather Alert: Port of Durban and KZN coast
• SA Port Statistics for July 2024
• WHARF TALK: platform supply vessel – SHAW TIDE
• Lebanon: IMO and oil spill response training
• Africa’s largest mining and infrastructure project completes regulatories – set to go
• AD Ports’ Noatum acquires Egypt’s Safina Shipping Services
• Another CMA CGM ship loses 99 containers overboard off KZN coast
• SHIPS IN PORT: Chinese satellite tracking ship – YUAN WANG 7
• Port News & Advisories
• Two new Malaysian patrol boats for Nigerian Navy
• IMO assistance: Cote d’Ivoire – Safety of domestic ferries and fishing vessels
• Critical satellite infrastructure starts deployment in Africa
• Début du déploiement d’une infrastructure satellitaire essentielle en Afrique
• SHIPS THAT CALL: Maersk Rio Blanco
• Port of Berbera: IMO maritime security training boost
• Maersk links with LR and Core Power to explore nuclear-powered feeder container ships
• Liberian Registry launches RISC, a maritime compliance tool
• Port of Nacala looking at record levels of growth
• Durban’s five new tugs are officially named
• Barcelona expands: New automated cranes
• Transnet concerned with media reports over OBS tender process
• EARLIER NEWS CAN BE FOUND UNDER NEWS CATEGORIES…….

Africa Ports & Ships

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FIRST VIEW:   CS LEADER

It’s just past the midway point in the 2024 South African citrus season and although it would appear that citrus volumes being exported are going to end a little on the low side, partly a result of heavy rainfall in the growing areas and smaller than usual fruit, the reefer vessels heading towards Europe have continued, as evidenced by these images of CS Leader (IMO 9517939) heading out from Durban in late July.

CS Leader loaded fruit at Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town before heading on a course for an ETA this week in Dover UK of 20 August 2024. The 12,944-dwt vessel has an overall length of 162 metres and a width of 26m and is equipped with four cranes each capable of lifting 40 tons.

The reefer ship is powered by a two-stroke, low-speed MAN B&W 6S50MC-C main diesel engine with a power output of 9,480 kW and driving a single pitch propeller to provide the ship with a service speed of approximately 18 knots or a maximum speed of 22 knots.

CS Leader was built in 2010 at the Shin Kurushima Dockyard in Japan. The vessel is owned by Cool Carriers AB, a company based in Sweden, and is operated by Seatrade Reefer Chartering N.V., which is headquartered in the Netherlands. She flies the flag of Singapore.

Pictures by KEITH BETTS

Africa Ports & Ships

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Feature: Development of deepwater container port at Banana, DRC

Africa Ports & Ships

British International Investment (BII) has committed up to $35 million alongside DP World into the development of a deepwater container port at Banana in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The Banana port deal is an extension of the partnership that commenced with the modernisation and expansion of ports in Senegal, Egypt and Somaliland.

The new port will serve as the maritime gateway for containerised imports and exports in the DRC, providing the country with logistical independence and ensuring sovereignty over its foreign trade.

BII, the UK’s development finance institution and impact investor, has committed to invest up to $35 million towards the development of the first phase of the new DRC container port.

The DRC currently relies on the port of Matadi, which lies 150km upstream of the Congo River, through which 90 per cent of its imports and exports of containers and general cargo is handled. The Matadi port does however have limitations on the size of ships it can accommodate, due to the Congo River’s depth and width that create challenges on larger vessels safely navigating the river to access the port.

The DRC is Africa’s second largest country and the fourth most populous on the continent. The Port of Banana will become the country’s first deepwater container port with an initial container capacity of 450,000 TEU annually. By enhancing the DRC’s direct access to international markets, it will unlock the country’s international trading potential for the benefit of millions of its people.

The commitment to the Port of Banana is an extension of the partnership between BII and global ports and logistics operator, DP World, that commenced with the modernisation and expansion of ports in Dakar (Senegal), Sokhna (Egypt) and Berbera (Somaliland) in 2021.

As with the other ports in the partnership, BII will be a minority investor in the new port.

The three ports under the original partnership agreement between BII and DP World will improve access to vital goods for approximately 35 million people, support 5 million jobs (including the creation of 138,000 new ones) and enable an additional $51 billion to total trade by 2035, says BII.

Additionally, it adds, the three ports will reduce further logistics costs, generate employment, transform lives, and stimulate economic growth across these markets and the continent.

Unlocking trading potential is a key driver of economic growth in African economies.

Port of Banana

With a draught of 17.5m, the Port of Banana will receive large container vessels from around the globe and will become a gateway for imports and exports of containers in the DRC.

These efficiencies are expected to cut the cost of trade in DRC by 12 per cent, says BII. Its development will enable the creation of approximately 85,000 jobs and c. $1.12bn in additional trade and $429m in increased economic outlook – equivalent to a 0.65 per cent increase in the DRC’s GDP, according to an evaluation commissioned by BII.

The port is being developed in multiple phases and its capacity is expected to gradually increase over time. It will be connected to a network of additional infrastructure, including a free zone and multimodal logistics infrastructure to the country’s largest urban centres.

These include Kinshasa and its almost 17 million inhabitants, via the cities of Boma and Matadi. The 578km Banana-Matadi-Kinshasa trade corridor is home to about 54 million people, who will benefit economically from the new port.

As the single maritime window for all containerised goods transported by sea in the DRC, the port will provide the country with logistical independence and ensure sovereignty over its foreign trade.

The Port of Banana will greatly improve economic welfare for the lowest-earning rural households in the DRC. About one-third of the new jobs supported by the trade through the port are expected to be in agriculture, benefiting thousands of farmers and sector workers.

Increased containerised trade in Western DRC will also make essential imported goods like clothing, textiles, food, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products cheaper and more accessible.

“This investment from BII will help transform DRC’s economy, establishing the country as a major trading hub on the continent, and providing a significant boost to local sectors from infrastructure, logistics and green energy,” said the UK Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury.

“Today’s announcement is a brilliant example of the UK-DRC partnership in action, working together to increase trade opportunities and drive sustainable economic growth that creates full and productive employment for many”.

Chris Chijiutomi, Managing Director and Head of Africa for BII, said the development impact case for investing in ports is irrefutable.

“Africa has a sixth of the world’s population, but accounts for just 4 per cent of global containerised shipping volumes. Ports are vital to the long-term prosperity and wellbeing of countless people across the continent.”

According to Chijiutomi, the Port of Banana will play a major role in supporting the economic aspirations of millions living in DRC. “This investment forms part of BII’s ongoing commitment to investing in key sectors in Africa, with further projects under development in the region.”

History

The port of Banana dates from the 19th century when it developed in part to serve the slave trade. Following the Conference of Berlin in 1884-85, the Congo Basin came under the control of Belgium’s Léopold II and the little port near the mouth of the mighty Congo River became the main Belgian naval base in Africa which continued until 1960. Today the Chinese are said to have an influence in this facility.

The original port was established in Banana Creek on the north bank of the Congo River, separated from the ocean by a spit of land 3km long and between 100 and 400m wide – see image. The small port is on the creek side of this spit in coordinates: 6°1′S 12°25′E.

The original port has a single 75m long wharf with a depth alongside of 5.18m, equipped with a couple of small cranes and several small jetties. Upriver at a distance of about 4km is an oil terminal to which tankers discharge their products while at anchor in the creek.

Work on the development of the new deepwater port and container terminal with an initial 600m long quay and draught alongside of -17.5 metres commenced in 2002 with an estimated investment of US$ 1.2 billion. This will have a significant effect on Banana and the DRC generally, turning a sleepy backwater port into a major central African maritime venture but having a somewhat less advantageous effect on the DRC’s only other port of Matadi.

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The Future is Now: AAL Limassol record-breaking maiden voyage

Africa Ports & Ships

With the arrival of the newbuild heavylift vessel AAL Limassol (IMO 9958755) in Cuxhaven, the first Super B-Class vessel in AAL Shipping’s fleet has completed her highly successful maiden voyage to Europe. This is seen as the perfect test of her cargo handling capabilities, including the ‘AAL Eco-Deck’ retractable deck extension system.

AAL Limassol safely delivered over 89,000 freight tons of multipurpose cargo on a single sailing. This is not only a record cargo intake for the carrier, but a significant step forward for project owners needing to move their time-sensitive and valuable cargoes safely and efficiently.

“The delivery and maiden voyage of the AAL Limassol has been a highlight of the year for AAL,” said Christophe Grammare, Managing Director at AAL Shipping.

“We were confident about the design of the Super B-Class and its capability and cargo intake. The completion of the first maiden voyage of these third generation newbuildings demonstrates that that confidence was well placed. The Super B-Class vessels are everything we have been hoping for and more.”

Grammare said the second ship in the series, AAL Hamburg, is now also in service and the AAL Houston will shortly follow, with another five of these vessels to also join the roster. “Further reinforcing our fleet of highly capable multipurpose heavy lift tonnage,” he added.

AAL Limassol’s cargo was made up of a wide variety of heavy lift and project cargo. In China, a dismantled crane, transformers, modules, trucks, rotor houses as well as two 135 m-long barges, which weighed 1,650 tonnes and 1,425 tonnes respectively, were loaded onboard.

Her last call in Asia saw the vessel stop at the Indian port of Tuticorin. Here, the ‘AAL Eco-Deck’ was called into action to facilitate the loading of 15 onshore wind turbine blades, weighing 30.6 tonnes each. This cargo combination meant AAL Limassol’s maiden voyage accommodated 89,000 freight tons of cargo in total.

Once the cargoes were secured, AAL Limassol departed Tuticorin on course for Europe, transiting around the Cape of Good Hope and the English Channel to Klaipeda – her first European port of call – to discharge the wind turbine blades. AAL Limassol then continued her journey to deliver the remaining heavy cargoes in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Cuxhaven.

The AAL Eco-Deck is a revolutionary deck extension system that will be fitted on all 8 Super B-Class vessels joining the AAL fleet. It increases the clear weather deck space to over 5,000m2, using the vessel’s triple deck panels.

With the deck extended, AAL Limassol was able to stow the 80.5 m-long wind blades alongside the sizeable barges and other cargoes already loaded onboard. They were positioned into place using the ship’s own heavy lift cranes that are capable of lifting a combined 700 tonnes.

“The maiden voyage of the AAL Limassol is the perfect example of the flexibility and functionality of the Super B-Class vessel design and its ability to accommodate a large and varied cargo intake,” Valentin Gherciu, Head of Operations at AAL Shipping, said.

“Compared to our A-Class vessels, which have a similar deadweight and underdeck volume, the Super B-Class fleet can handle more cargo as there are no restrictions with regard to the line of visibility.”

He said the highest volume carried on the A-Class fleet to date has been approximately 64,000 freight tons. “AAL Limassol’s maiden voyage already set a record of more than 89,000 freight tons – roughly 40 percent more cargo volume in a single voyage – demonstrating what we can now offer to our worldwide project customers.”

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AAL introduces monthly express heavylift Europe-Asia liner service

Africa Ports & Ships

AAL Shipping, the premium project heavy lift carrier, is expanding its multipurpose cargo services and tonnage capacity between Europe and Asia, with a scheduled monthly ‘Europe – Asia Express Liner Service’.

The Europe-Asia Express Liner Service will utilise AAL’s global fleet of multipurpose vessels, including its newbuild Super B-Class vessels (see preceding report above).

In order to meet growing market demand for dependable multipurpose heavy lift cargo coverage ex Europe, AAL has added a scheduled monthly fast-track ‘Europe – Asia Express Liner Service’ to its existing portfolio of services from the continent.

The existing services comprises its popular ‘Europe – Middle East/India – Asia (EUMEIA) Monthly Liner Service’, as well as a monthly ‘Mediterranean – Middle East – India Pendulum Service’.

“We have listened to the market and increased our already popular, premium multipurpose services to support a plethora of customer needs with more tonnage and more connections,” said Eike Muentz, General Manager of AAL Europe.

AAL’s portfolio of three distinct monthly services provides customers with regular, trusted and flexible sailings between Europe and its key trading markets around the world.

While all three services utilise AAL’s global fleet of heavy lift multipurpose vessels, ranging from 19,000 DWT up to 33,000 DWT, the ‘Europe – Asia Express Liner Service’ will also employ Super B-Class vessels, offering lifting capacity up to 700 tonnes and a clear weather deck space of over 5,000m2.

This provides AAL with the cargo handling capability and intake capacity to parcel any cargo on any sailing, from outsized heavy lift units to smaller breakbulk, general cargoes and even bulk.

Jan-Henrik Heyken, Senior Chartering Manager at AAL Europe, said the Europe – Asia Express Liner Service will depart key project cargo hubs in Western Europe and connect them directly with Taichung, Shanghai, Masan and other port calls considered on inducement along the route.

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Maersk opens its largest Middle East Logistics Park in Jeddah

Africa Ports & Ships

Maersk has opened the doors to its Logistics Park at Jeddah Islamic Port in Saudi Arabia.

The 225,000m2 facility on the Red Sea, involving an investment of USD 250 million, is the largest single-site logistics & services facility in the Middle East.

The opening was announced formally by A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) and the General Ports Authority of Saudi Arabia ‘Mawani’ in the presence of various dignitaries.

Saudi’s port sector is undergoing several major and unprecedented leaps in terms of operational performance efficiency and increasing maritime connectivity with the countries of the world.

The Maersk Logistics Park at Jeddah Islamic Port will contribute to service and development in supporting economic activity in the Kingdom and providing highly efficient logistics services to support the movement of trade and export to foreign markets and enhance the work of supply chains and logistics.

Vincent Clerc, CEO of A.P. Moller – Maersk, said the Maersk Logistics Park represents a significant milestone for Maersk.

“It is a testament to our commitment to be an enabler of global trade in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which sits strategically at the crossroads of three continents,” he said. “I am proud to see that our logistics park in Jeddah has become a living example of our integrated logistics strategy, supporting our customers with resilient logistics while implementing the right initiatives to take our decarbonisation journey forward.”

Ahmed Kadous, Unilever’s Head of Supply Chain Personal Care Middle East and Turkey, said that through its strategic partnership with Maersk, Unilever is consolidating its logistics operations into one hub, “which will help reduce our energy consumption and CO2 emission, moving us closer to Unilever’s sustainability ambition of achieving Net Zero emissions across our value chain by 2039.

“We will continue to harness the power of our brands, our people, and our partners through collaborative actions that will positively impact societies and the planet,” he said.

“As we witness how this collaboration with Maersk is contributing to the logistics ambition of Saudi Vision 2030, Unilever remains committed to the Kingdom and will continue to invest in its growth and empowering local and diverse talent.”

The Maersk Logistics Park provides for integrated logistics solutions under one roof with the provision for:

Multi-modal connectivity between ocean, land and air transport
Warehousing solutions catering for B2B and e-commerce requirements
Temperature-controlled warehousing
Custom-bonded setup
Dedicated designed for a wide range of industries and verticals, including FMCG, Frozen Food, Automotive, Retail & Lifestyle, Petrochemicals, Electronics, Pharmaceuticals etc.
Distribution solutions that include first- and last-mile deliveries
Customs clearances, visibility solutions and control tower.

Maersk has implemented several initiatives as part of its decarbonisation ambitions to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The facility will draw up to 70% of its electricity from 32,000 solar panels installed over 64,000m2 on the rooftop. The Maersk Logistics Park will use electric equipment and electric trucks within the facility, have low electricity-consumption LED lighting optimised with light sensors, etc.

Training academy for women

Maersk has established an in-house women’s academy offering tailored training programmes to ensure stronger diversity and inclusion. Through this academy, women will be empowered to work in the logistics and supply chain sector through specialised training and career development.

Besides training and mentorship, this academy also strives to create a supportive environment for Saudi Arabian women to thrive in what has been a male-dominated industry.

Safety

Safety is of paramount importance for Maersk. Built on the foundation of ‘Safety by Design,’ the facility boasts world-class fire fighting systems, segregated paths for pedestrians and equipment, and comprehensive surveillance camera systems, among other safety measures. The most modern and state-of-the-art implementations promote the safety of people as well as the customers’ cargo.

Maersk Logistics Park has been built at the Jeddah Islamic Port, which has an advanced infrastructure with berths capable of accommodating new generations of giant ships and modern, automated, environmentally friendly equipment that contributes to raising the efficiency of its operations and competitiveness and increasing its capacity.

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WHARF TALK: first ‘Ammonia-Ready’ container vessel – CMA CGM MASAI MARA

 

Pictures by Keith Betts 
Story by Jay Gates

It has not escaped the attention of even the part time casual maritime observer that the uptick in vessels calling into Cape Town and Durban for bunkers is a significant fillip for the local marine fuel providers. The reason for the serious upswing is quite obviously down to the idiocy of the Houthis in Yemen, casually lobbing missiles and drones at passing vessels trying to navigate the southern Red Sea, without trying hard first to simply ascertain if the target vessel is, in fact, connected to Israel, or to a nation that the Houthis have added to their grudge list.

That said, even without the Houthi menace, the bunker industry is South Africa has always been a busy endeavour, and bunker tankers have long been established in Cape Town, Durban, and Richards Bay to both provide a service to scheduled callers, and to non-scheduled callers. What is unusual is when a scheduled caller, drops in at a port that is not part of the vessel schedule, in order to uplift bunkers. Sometimes there is a rational reason for that to happen.

On 5th August, at 21:00 in the evening, the container vessel ‘CMA CGM Masai Mara’ (IMO 9925825) arrived off the Durban Bluff, which is not where she was scheduled to be, and entered Durban harbour, which was not what she was scheduled to do. Her reason for her arrival and non-scheduled call was for the purposes of obtaining an uplift of bunkers.

She was built in 2023 by the Qingdao Yangfan shipyard in Qingdao in China. She is 240 metres in length and has a deadweight of 75,830 tons. She is powered by two dual fuel MAN-B&W 6G80ME-C9.2 DF six cylinder, two stroke, main engines. The engines are designed to burn traditional marine fuels, plus Ammonia, and ‘CMA CGM Masai Mara’ is the world’s first ‘Ammonia-Ready’ container vessel.

Owned by Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB), of Antwerp in Belgium, ‘CMA CGM Masai Mara’ is operated on charter by CMA CGM, of Marseille in France, and is managed by Delphis NV, of Antwerp in Belgium, who are a subsidiary of the CMB group. She is one of six sisterships within the CMB fleet, with a total of 12 of this design of vessel to be built. Three others are to be owned directly by CMA CGM, two by Danaos Shipping Co. Ltd., of Athens in Greece, and one by Daido Kaiun Co. Ltd., of Imabari in Japan.

On entering service in May 2023, ‘CMA CGM Masai Mara’ conducted a one-off voyage from Shanghai, and other Chinese ports, and via Singapore and Malaysia, to Colombo in Sri Lanka. From there she was deployed on the CMA CGM ‘Midas Loop 1’ scheduled container service route, which runs from Jebel Ali (Dubai UAE)- Mundra- Nhava Sheva (both India)- Pointe Noire (Congo)- Tema (Ghana)- Lagos (Nigeria)- Cape Town- Coega- Jebel Ali.

The Midas Loop 1 service is operated weekly, across the eight ports on the route, and is serviced by eleven vessels, on a 77 day rotation. The other vessels on the service with ‘CMA CGM Masai Mara’ are ‘CMA CGM Kribi’, ‘CMA CGM Lebu’, ‘CMA CGM Lekki’, ‘Hedwig Schulte’, ‘Maersk Chennai’, ‘Maersk Cubango’, ‘Maersk Danube’, ‘Maersk Florence’, ‘ Maersk Zambezi’, and ‘Maersk Iyo’. All of these vessels have a container carrying capacity of between 5,300 TEU and 6,100 TEU. ‘CMA CGM Masai Mara’ has a container carrying capacity of 6,014 TEU and has plugs for up to 1,150 reefer containers, and is the largest vessel on the ‘Midas Loop 1’ service.

It thus becomes obvious to the casual maritime observer that Durban is not on the Midas Loop 1 port rotation, which begs the question as to why ‘CMA CGM Masai Mara’ called into Durban for bunkers, when she could have done it in Cape Town, which is a bunkering port on the Midas Loop 1 rotation. However, Ngqura (Coega) is not a port where bunkers can be obtained.

Whilst her previous port call was Ngqura (Coega), where she had sailed for Durban at 21:00 in the evening of 3rd August, her departure from Cape Town was heavily delayed by the severe weather that Cape Town has been experiencing. This caused her to miss her allocated slot, and the outcome was that ‘CMA CGM Masai Mara’ was now expected to be a full week delayed for her scheduled 4th August arrival in Jebel.

The delay surrounding her call in Cape Town does not explain why she did not uplift bunkers, as would be expected, in Cape Town when she was there. However, there is the possibility that the bunker tankers in Cape Town were already allocated to other vessels, and were unavailable during her heavily delayed time in the port.

As would be expected by an ‘Ammonia-Ready’ vessel, she is not yet using this clean fuel for propulsion, as facilities do not yet exist on the Midas Loop 1 rotation for to ensure that bunkering with Ammonia can take place on either the outbound loop, or the inbound loop. However, that is going to change in the next couple of years.

In the Coega Special Economic Zone, which lies adjacent to the Ngqura (Coega) port, agreement has been reached between Transnet and Hive Hydrogen SA to build an Ammonia production plant. The facility will be built in four phases, with the first phase now underway, and at a development cost of US$5.9 billion (ZAR105.02 billion).

Once complete it will produce 1,000,000 tons of Ammonia, with the majority to be exported, and with production to begin in 2029. Hive Hydrogen SA is a subsidiary company of Hive Energy in the United Kingdom. The power required for the new Ammonia production plant will require 3.5 GW, and it will all come from renewable energy sources. Solar power will be produced at De Aar in the Northern Cape, and wind power will be produced in the Western Cape, with electricity from both sources coming via the grid direct to the Hive Ammonia plant.

For the nomenclature aficionado, ‘CMA CGM Masai Mara’ derives her name prefix from her charterer, the French container shipping giant, and Masai Mara being the name of the large national park in Kenya, and which lies 225 km southwest of the Kenyan capital city of Nairobi. The Masai Mara Park lies on the border with Tanzania, and is contiguous with the Serengeti National Park which lies within Tanzania.

The Masai Mara Park was established in 1961, and covers an area of 1,510 km2. The park name comes from the Masai tribe, who are the ancestral inhabitants of the region, and from the Masai word ‘Mara’, which translates at ‘Spotted’. It is the name used by the Masai to describe the land within the park, due to the short bushy trees that are scattered throughout the park, and dot the landscape, and give it its descriptive name.

The bunkering requirement for ‘CMA CGM Masai Mara’ in Durban was completed in just 16 hours, and at 14:00 in the afternoon of 6th August, she sailed from Durban to continue with her Midas Loop 1 scheduled port rotation. Her AIS now showed her to be destined for Jebel Ali, where she would conduct her turnaround, and attempt to try and catch up with her published schedule on her next Midas Loop 1 service.

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BMA Commissioner visits Port of Cape Town

Africa Ports & Ships

Last Friday it was announced that the Commissioner of the Border Management Authority (BMA), Dr Michael Masiapato, was to undertake a monitoring and evaluation visit to the Port of Cape Town.

The purpose of the visit was in response to the recently reported increased numbers in cruise ships utilising the port as an international destination of choice.

In preparation for the upcoming 2024 and 2025 cruise season, the commissioner’s visit to the port was to ensure that it is ready to deal with the projected increase in international visitors.

“Cape Town Port of Entry is also the second largest cargo processing seaport and cruise liner in the country with recent rapid increases having mandated the extension of the cruise season to be moved from November to June 2024 due to high demand,” the BMA said.

The BMA is responsible for the execution of frontline border law enforcement functions related to immigration control, port health, access control, biosecurity, food safety and phyto-sanitary control, land border infrastructure development and maintenance, border information and risk management. source: SAnews.gov.za

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Oil tanker attacked by Houthis, on fire and abandoned in Red Sea

Africa Ports & Ships

The Greek oil products tanker Sounion (IMO 9312145) is reported to be ablaze and abandoned by her crew at a position roughly 77 nautical miles west of the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

The initial attack came at around 06:00 local time from two small boats early on Wednesday 21 August 2024 as the ship was sailing in the lower Red Sea. Sounion had earlier departed from the Iraqi port of Al Basrah. AIS reports indicated her destination as Singapore which is in the opposite direction to which the tanker was sailing.

The 274-metre long, 50m wide 163,759-dwt tanker was struck by three or four projectiles which damaged the ship’s steering. An exchange of small arms fire also took place before the small boats, with a reported 15 people on board, left the scene. Sounion meanwhile was left unable to steer but was otherwise reported to be undamaged.

The Greek shipping ministry and the UK maritime agency UK MTO confirmed this report and added there were no injuries.

At around 09:00 there was news of a further attack on Sounion which was set on fire when the ship was hit by two projectiles and set on fire, causing the crew to abandon the vessel which had also lost her engine power.

A subsequent report from UK MTO stated there was a fire onboard and the vessel was drifting and not under command.

Sounion had a crew of 25 seafarers – two Russians and 23 Filipinos.

The increasing use of small spotter boats may be an indication that strikes by US and UK forces on Houthi positions are having an effect of sufficiently degrading the rebels’ ability to use drones and missiles, causing them to resort to identifying passing ships by boat.

US and UK air force and naval assets in the area have paid special attention to Houthi radar installations, forcing the increased use of spotter boats to seek out passing ships.

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Chinese hospital ship on goodwill visit to Cape Town

Africa Ports & Ships

A Chinese PLA Navy hospital ship, Peace Ark, has sailed from Maputo and can be expected to arrive in Cape Town on Thursday 22 August for a goodwill visit to South Africa’s ‘Mother City’.

The hospital ship sailed on 16 June this year from a military port in Zhoushan, an archipelago in east China’s Zhejiang Province.

During her cruise the ship is visiting 15 countries in the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans with visits already completed to Seychelles, Tanzania, Madagascar and Mozambique. Further calls will be made in South Africa, Angola, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Benin, Mauritania, France, Greece, Djibouti and Sri Lanka.

The South African call will be at Cape Town where Peace Ark is currently headed.

According to the original announcement medical services will be provided at each port.

The ship has over 100 people on board the floating hospital, featuring 300 beds, 20 ICU beds, 8 operating theatres, 17 clinical departments and 5 auxiliary diagnostic departments, and even an onboard medical rescue helicopter.

The ship is also equipped with a remote networking and communications system to allow teleconferencing with doctors and specialists on land.

The Type 920 hospital ship displaces 14,000 tons and has a length of 178 metres and width of 25m. She is the only ship of her class and is assigned to the PA Navy’s South Sea Fleet. Her pennant number is 866 and Chinese name is Daishan Dao (岱山岛) but uses the name Peace Ark during peacetime.

Peace Ark was commissioned in 2008 and has since completed nine other ‘Mission Harmony’ cruises, this latest being the 10th. During her port visits the Peace Ark will provide free diagnosis and treatment for common and prevalent diseases to local residents, people in Chinese institutions, and overseas Chinese through onboard clinics and dispatched medical teams.

Peace Ark’s visit to African and other countries is also aimed at improving relationships and cooperation as part of China’s foreign policy.

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Weather Alert: Port of Durban and KZN coast

Africa Ports & Ships

The following weather alert has been issued by the Durban branch of the SA Weather Service

From 21/08/2024 – 11h00, valid to: 22/08/2024 – 23h00

Winds > 25KT, Wind Gusts > 35KT, Open Water Sea > 4.0 m, Long period swell > 15s

Detailed Additional Information

A cold front passage over southern KZN followed by a strong high pressure system will result in strong winds, wind gusts and very rough seas starting from this evening Wednesday 21 August) into tomorrow evening. A long period swell is expected ahead of these systems today.

Strong winds up to 25kts are expected at times starting from this evening at 19h00SAST. The winds will be accompanied by wind gusts greater than 35kts, gusting up to 40kts at times.

These winds will weaken tomorrow evening at 20h00SAST. The strong winds will result in very rough seas with wave heights of up to 6.5 to possibly 7.0m. The very seas are expected this late evening at 23h00SAST and are expected to subside tomorrow evening at 23h00SAST.

A short-lived long period swell in excess of 15s is expected from 11h00SAST today, subsiding at 17h00SAST today. These conditions are expected to impact port operations negatively during this period.

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SA Port Statistics for July 2024

By Africa Ports & Ships

Port statistics for the month of July 2024, covering the eight commercial ports under the administration of Transnet National Ports Authority, are now available.

The statistics here reflect port cargo throughputs, ships berthed and auto and container volumes handled together with liquid and dry bulk volumes.

Motor vehicles are measured in vehicle units being the equal of 1 tonne per unit.

Containers are counted in TEUs, with each TEU representing 13.5 tonnes.

Figures for the respective ports during July 2024 are:

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Total cargo handled by tonnes during July 2024, including containers by weight

PORT	July 2024 million tonnes
Richards Bay	5.945
Durban	6.727
Saldanha Bay	4.439
Cape Town	1.146
Port Elizabeth	1.209
Ngqura	1.335
Mossel Bay	0.001
East London	0.151
Total all ports	20.954 million tonnes

CONTAINERS (measured by TEUs) during July 2024
(TEUs include Deepsea, Coastal, Transship and empty containers all subject to being invoiced by NPA

PORT	July 2024 TEUs
Durban	205,873
Cape Town	54,638
Port Elizabeth	13,520
Ngqura	54,805
East London	852
Richards Bay	0
Total all ports	329,418 TEU

MOTOR VEHICLES RO-RO TRAFFIC (measured by Units- CEUs) during July 2024

PORT	July 2024 CEUs
Durban	43,913
Cape Town	1
Port Elizabeth	17,613
East London	8,470
Richards Bay	0
Total all ports	69,997

SHIP CALLS for July 2024

PORT	July 2024 vessels	gross tons
Durban	261	8,664,279
Cape Town	184	3,638,728
Richards Bay	100	4,142,740
Port Elizabeth	62	1,860,965
Saldanha Bay	47	2,808,662
Ngqura	56	2,645,584
East London	22	860,729
Mossel Bay	13	10,387
Total ship calls	745	24,632,074

source TNPA, with adjustments regarding container weights by Africa Ports & Ships

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WHARF TALK: platform supply vessel – SHAW TIDE

Pictures by ‘Dockrat’
Story by Jay Gates

The waters of Southern Africa can be a dangerous place for the mariner. More so in the winter months when a conveyor belt of cold frontal low systems are able to make their way northwards from the Southern ocean and bring with them the howling northwesterly winds and deluges of cold rain that the inhabitants of the Cape province know all about.

If you are not on dry land, then a third element of discomfort is brought your way by the passage of one of these great depressions, that of the long swells. These swells are able to make their way, uninhibited by any land mass, all the way across from deep down in the South Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of South America, so that by the time they reach the shores of South Africa, they are organised into sets of what are known to the casual maritime observer as the ‘Cape Rollers’.

Anyone who has had the experience of a winter sailing between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas during the running of the ‘Cape Rollers’ knows all about it. Sleep deprivation is the least of your worries. If you are unlucky enough to be caught up in the passage of, or the aftermath of, a particularly violent northwesterly winter gale of the coast at the point when something catastrophic happens to your propulsion, electrical power, or stability systems may end up with your vessel ending up out of its natural environment, and stuck firmly up on the beach.

Such an outcome is especially so if there is no salvage tug nearby that is able to come to your rescue. The South African coast has been covered for a number of decades now by such a vessel, especially during the heyday of Safmarine and the beautiful sisters of ‘S.A. Wolraad Woltemade’ and ‘S.A. John Ross’, both now sadly gone to razor blade heaven via an Indian beach. The coast still has such a vessel to watch out for the involuntary casualty, that of AMSOL’s ‘Umkhuseli’. However, if she is indisposed, such as in drydock, who is left on watch?

Recently, such a situation arose with the ‘Ultra Galaxy’, which was making its way down the Western Cape coast, en route from Malaga, in Spain, to Dar es Salaam, in Tanzania, with a full cargo of bagged fertiliser. In the early hours of 8th July, she had a major stability failure aboard as she passed 60 nautical miles west of Doring Bay, and just after 03:00 in the morning all 18 of her crew abandoned her as she developed an uncontrollable list. By 22:00 on the evening of 9th July she fetched up, on her beam ends, in the shallows at Brands Bay, some 208 nautical miles north of Cape Town.

Now whilst the weather at the time may have played no part in her stability problem, the subsequent weather certainly did. A run of Northwesterly gales pushed her firmly aground, opened up her hatches, which were subsequently emptied of her cargo by big swells sweeping through them, and creating the kind of stresses on her hull that were only going to end up with her breaking up. It was now merely only a matter of time.

The question that was asked, was that in the 43 hours between ‘Ultra Galaxy’ sending out her distress call, and her subsequent grounding, where was the coastal tug that may have been in a position to save her. The answer is that she was in drydock in Durban, and unavailable. Luckily, there were no less than four ocean tugs in and around Cape Town at the time on a transit voyage from delivering an FPSO to Brazil. Sadly, by the time that one of them had been tasked to head to the casualty, it was too late. So salvage was now to be a landward operation, and not a seaward operation. A tug was no longer needed.

What was needed was a support vessel that had the kind of infrastructure that the appointed salvors could utilise. One that had heated cargo tanks, to keep fuel oil viscous, that had onboard pumping arrangements for her cargo oil tanks, and a dynamic positioning ability to manoeuvre as safely close to the casualty as possible, and hold position to conduct the removal of the fuel still left in the tanks of ‘Ultra Galaxy’.

On 30th July, at 09:00 in the morning, the platform supply vessel ‘Shaw Tide’ (IMO 964 0281) arrived off Cape Town, from Malongo in Angola, via Walvis Bay in Namibia. She entered Cape Town harbour, proceeding into the Duncan Dock and went alongside A berth, which is unusual in itself, as it is ordinarily not a berth for such a vessel, nor one for working a vessel from the oil and gas industry.

Built in 2013 by Saigon Offshore Fabrication shipyard at Vungtau in Vietnam, ‘Shaw Tide’ is 80 metres in length, and has a deadweight of 3,880 tons. She is powered by two MaK 8M25C eight cylinder, four stroke, main engines producing 5,364 bhp (3,944 kW), and driving two Steerprop SP35D controllable pitch propellers, contained in Kort nozzles.

Her auxiliary machinery includes two Caterpillar 3516B generators providing 1,820 kW, and a single Caterpillar 3412 emergency generator providing 400 kW. For added manoeuvrability she has two bow Rolls-Royce TT1850 tunnel thrusters providing 950 kW each. Together with her two Kort nozzles CPP units, this gives ‘Shaw Tide’ a dynamic positioning capability of DP2, which is provided by a Kongsberg DP21 system utilising 3 gyro compasses, 3 motion reference units, 2 DGPS units, 1 microwave system, and 1 laser system.

With accommodation provide for up to 56 persons, ‘Shaw Tide’ has a working aft deck area of 780 m2, with a clear deck space measuring 57 metres by 14 metres. Her working deck has a strength forward of 5 tons/m2, and an aft deck strength of 7 tons/m2, and an ability to carry 1,100 tons of cargo, and which includes 8 reefer plugs for refrigerated containers.

She is one of two sisterships, built to a MMC 879 PSC design, and is owned, operated, and managed, by Tidewater Marine International Incorporated, of Houston in the US State of Texas. She has a firefighting capability of FiFi 1, for which she has a foam tank capacity of 4.2 m3, and is able to act as a pollution control vessel, and also has an oil dispersant tank capacity of 4.2 m3.

For her platform service operations, as well as her large aft cargo deck, ‘Shaw Tide’ has underdeck cargo tanks capable of carrying 776 m3 of fuel oil, 445 m3 of fresh water, 126 m3 of potable water, for which she is able to produce 16 m3/day of potable water through her onboard fresh water making systems, 1,746 m3 of drill water, 1,272 m3 of drilling mud, 203 m3 of methanol, and 232 m3 of dry bulk such as cement.

She joined the Tidewater fleet in January 2019, purchased with her sistership, from EMAS of Singapore, whose parent company had entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Match 2017, and was undergoing a long restructuring programme. Tidewater had reassigned ‘Shaw Tide’ to support Chevron operations in Angola, and she had been based in Malongo, in the Cabinda province of Northern Angola, supporting the Takula oil and gas field, located in Block 0, in a water depth of 75 metres, some 22 nautical miles west-northwest of the Malongo Terminal.

Back in Cape Town, ‘Shaw Tide’ had been alongside for just over a day, when she sailed from Cape Town on 1st August at 1100 in the morning, but just to go out into the Table Bay anchorage. She was not there long, as by 5th August she was positioned just offshore from the site of the ‘Ultra Galaxy’ stranding. Smit International, the salvage company now tasked with wreck removal, reported that ‘Shaw Tide’ was in position to pump more oil from the wreck when the weather and sea conditions permit.

By 7th August, at 09:00 in the morning ‘Shaw Tide’ was again off Cape Town, and entered Cape Town harbour, proceeding one more into Duncan Dock, and this time going alongside the Landing Wall, and then shifting down the dock to go alongside at the outer Eastern Mole berth. Presumably her arrival was to deposit equipment, and potential removed oil, and load new salvage equipment, and personnel, for the next phase of the ‘Ultra Galaxy’ wreck removal.

Sailing from Cape Town at 11:00 in the morning of 15th August, with her AIS now explicitly displaying her destination to be ‘Ultra Galaxy’, ‘Shaw Tide’ arrived off the casualty the next morning on 16th August. Her stay there was for just under 48 hours, and she then made her way south to St. Helena Bay, where she is currently sitting, with an expectation that she will return to Cape Town in the next few days.

It is not known how long ‘Shaw Tide’ will remain as a support vessel for the Smit managed fuel oil removal operation that is underway from the ‘Ultra Galaxy’. The continuing poor weather is going to continue to hamper these operations, and may result in the onboard fuel tanks of ‘Ultra Galaxy’ being breached, and the nightmare of oil pollution on the pristine beaches of the Cape West coast becoming a strong possibility. An eventuality that Smit, SAMSA, ITOPF, Spill Tech, and North Standard already have set up a major shore based operation to deal with.

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Lebanon: IMO and oil spill response training

Edited by Paul Ridgway 
Africa Ports & Ships
London

Mediterranean regional focus

Lebanon’s ability to tackle oil spills received a significant boost in mid-August by way of a virtual IMO training event focused on the critical importance of rapid response to oil pollution incidents.

Held from 13 to 15 August, the OPRC* Level 3 course brought together twenty-one senior managers and administrators who are key to Lebanon’s oil spill response efforts.

Decision-making skills

Through interactive online lectures, exercises, and discussions, participants honed their decision-making skills, emphasizing the need for quick action to minimize the impact of any potential spill. The training highlighted the importance of robust cooperation—not only within Lebanon but also with neighbouring countries and the international community.

Documents; liability; national contingency plan

Key topics included understanding roles and responsibilities before and during an incident, navigating relevant regulations and conventions, and addressing liability and compensation issues. The group reviewed the current status of Lebanon’s National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP), exploring ways to further enhance the country’s preparedness.

In addition to sharpening their skills, participants gained valuable networking opportunities, fostering a collaborative approach to oil spill readiness and response.

REMPEC and ITCP

The course was organized by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC)**, through IMO’s Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP).

* The OPRC 1990 Convention obliges governments to establish a programme of exercises for oil pollution response organizations and training of relevant personnel. It also calls on IMO to develop a comprehensive training programme in cooperation with interested governments and industry. For more see here

** The Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Centre for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC) assists Mediterranean coastal States in ratifying, transposing, implementing and enforcing international maritime conventions related to the prevention, preparedness and response to pollution from ships. For more see here

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Africa’s largest mining and
infrastructure project coimpletes regulatories – set to go

Africa Ports & Ships

Africa’s largest greenfield integrated iron ore mine and infrastructure investment, the USD 15 billion Simandou Project, has successfully completed all regulatory procedures, including those in the Republic of Guinea and in China.

Closing was followed by both the second anniversary celebration for Compagnie du Transguinéen (CTG), the joint venture consortium that will own and manage the Simandou rail and port infrastructure, and the signing of the first locomotive order to service the project.

CTG is comprised of Guinea, Baowu Group (leading a consortium of Chinese steel manufacturers and other investors), Simfer Jersey (a joint venture between Rio Tinto and a consortium led by China’s state-owned Chalco Iron Ore Holdings) and WCS (a consortium comprising the Winning International Group, China Hongqiao Group, Guinean mining logistics company UMS, as well China’s Yantai Port Group).

This has been reported by UK law firm Watson Farley & Williams (WFW), which has been advising the Republic of Guinea on the massive project.

Simandou and Rio Tinto Simfer

The Simandou mountain range is in the south-east of the Republic of Guinea and occupies a surface area more than 100km. According to Rio Tinto, its subsoils contain the world’s largest untapped reserve of high-grade iron ore, estimated at over 2 billion tonnes.

Developing a project of Simandou’s scale is a unique opportunity. Simandou’s mining concession is divided into 4 blocks of which Rio Tinto holds rights to blocks 3 and 4 through Rio Tinto Simfer – a joint venture between Rio Tinto, Chalco Iron Ore Holdings (CIOH), and the Government of the Republic of Guinea.

Rio Tinto is the majority shareholder and managing partner of Rio Tinto Simfer.

Rail and port infrastructure

Whilst Simandou revolves around the exploitation of four world-class iron ore blocks in southern Guinea, the project goes far beyond mining and includes the construction and operation of a 600+ km multi-use railway line. This will connect the blocks to a large, newly constructed state-of-the-art mineral port to export up to 120 million tonnes of iron internationally, the law firm said.

This new rail and port infrastructure is expected to act as a catalyst for transforming Guinea’s economic development, unlocking prosperity well beyond the Simandou corridor as well as empowering local communities and reducing poverty nationwide.

With all the project’s core agreements requiring compliance with the highest ESG standards, Simandou also delivers a significant new source of high-grade iron ore that will strengthen the decarbonisation of the steel industry helping combat global climate change, says WFW.

Clarksons Securities estimates that production from the Simfer mine will commence in 2025, ramping up to 60 million tonnes a year over 30 months. Annual production should peak at 110 million tonnes.

At full capacity it is estimated the project will require the use of 170 capesize bulk carriers annually, with the majority heading from Guinea to China along a distance of 11,000 nautical miles, similar to that between Brazil and China.

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AD Ports’ Noatum acquires Egypt’s Safina Shipping Services

Africa Ports & Ships

Noatum, an AD Ports Group subsidiary, this week announced it has acquired a majority stake in Safina B.V., a leading provider of maritime agency and cargo services in Egypt and across the Middle East region.

The deal is expected to close in Q3 2024.

Noatum Maritime will benefit in its strategic growth by leveraging Safina’s expertise, capacity and reputation in Egypt’s maritime agency market.

The acquisition of Safina is also a significant step for Noatum Maritime in its ongoing expansion across the Mediterranean, which recently included the launch of its offices in Türkiye.

Along with its growth in the Middle East region, which represents a key market for the company’s global strategy, the move also integrates well into AD Ports Group’s broader presence in Egypt, which was recently marked with signing of concession agreements for the management and operation of cruise and Ro-Ro terminals at Safaga, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Sokhna ports.

Safina has evolved as a key player in the Egyptian maritime industry, offering comprehensive agency services and maritime logistics to shippers serving the metals, minerals, and fertilisers sectors.

With Noatum’s extensive international network, Safina will now be in an excellent position to access new customers from more diverse industries and strengthen its local presence.

Safina is situated across six strategic office locations, including its headquarters in Cairo which allows it to provide agency services across 15 Egyptian ports, offering liner and tramp agency services as well as transit services through the Suez Canal.

Safina enjoys a sizable market share in both Mediterranean and Red Sea Egyptian Ports, inclusive of Sokhna, Adabiya, Damietta, Port Said and Alexandria.

“Welcoming Safina into the Noatum Maritime family aligns perfectly with our vision for growth,” says Terry Gidlow, Noatum Maritime’s CEO.

“The move enhances our presence in key markets and enables us to strengthen our service offering across Egypt, the Middle East and North Africa, providing for greater flexibility and opportunities to meet our customers’ needs.”

Safina will be rebranded as Noatum Maritime Egypt in due course and be integrated into the Noatum Maritime ecosystem. Its founders will retain a minority stake in the business and continue to support the growth of the company.

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Another CMA CGM ship loses 99 containers overboard off KZN coast

Africa Ports & Ships

The Malta-flagged container ship CMA CGM Belem (IMO 9938286) lost a reported 99 containers overboard while sailing along the northern KZN coast last Thursday night (15 August 2024).

CMA CGM Belem, built earlier this year (entered service in June 2024), encountered very rough seas off the coast of Richards Bay before reporting the loss of the containers overboard.

The contents of the containers were not immediately known but the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has issued a navigational warning to other sailing vessels as well as a message to the public on the east coast to report any sightings of the containers still floating on the sea.

“The CMA CGM BELEM, a container ship sailing under the Maltese flag, encountered severe weather off the coast of Richards Bay last night (Thursday), resulting in a significant stow collapse and a loss of 99 containers,” SAMSA reported.

“The vessel had initially sought refuge at Maputo Bay. However, after further assessment, the decision was made to redirect the ship to Gqeberha [Algoa Bay]. The CMA CGM BELEM is currently slow steaming towards Port of Ngqura, with an expected time of arrival on 18 August 2024.”

Africa Ports & Ships can confirm the container ship has reached Algoa Bay and is currently at anchor.

The reason for sending the ship to Algoa Bay is that, given her draught of 14.8 metres the port of Ngqura was considered the most suitable port of refuge.

CMA CGM Belem, a dual-fuel LNG vessel, has a length of 336 metres and a beam of 51m and a deadweight of 145,650 tons. Her container capacity is 13,000 TEU.

SAMSA reported that stowage collapses on the vessel have been confirmed and the affected containers will have to be discharged at a container terminal.

SAMSA said the owners were cooperating with the South African authorities.

This is the second CMA CGM container ship to lose boxes overboard within a matter of weeks. One month ago the CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin also encountered heavy seas off the Zululand coast, suffered a stowage collapse and lost at least 40 containers overboard. Several of these were seen floating on the current as far south as Port Shepstone.

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SHIPS IN PORT: Chinese satellite tracking ship – YUAN WANG 7

Pictures as indicated 
Story by Terry Hutson
Africa Ports & Ships

Over the years people observing the ship movements at the port of Durban have become used to seeing the impressive Chinese tracking ships of the Yuan Wang class arriving in port for a visit lasting several days.

On Sunday this week, 18 August, one of these highly sophisticated ships, Yuan Wang 7 (IMO 9804485), sailed serenely into port and has taken up berths A/B opposite the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal, for a stay expected to last until Thursday 22 August.

Whenever these ships appear from over the blue horizon, it usually corresponds with an important space launch from the Chinese mainland, for this is the reason and main purpose of the handsome-looking vessels. Each of the seven Yuan Wang class ships have had different designs although to the casual observer some may appear the same. Having similar names and identified only by a number, doesn’t help.

The first of these ships appeared as far back as 1977 and was designed to serve as a tracking support vessel for China’s then fledgling communication satellite programme and its development of ballistic missiles. Or was it the other way around. More recently as the Chinese ventured into manned missions into space and rocketry to the moon including a ‘first’ with a successful landing on its far side, the fleet of tracking ships have been kept busy.

 

As is normal with these things, little is announced and even less is known of current missions, except it may be assumed that a launch or possibly a re-entry is imminent. If past practice can be used for a guide then Yuan Wang 7, when she departs Durban, will round the Cape and take up station in the South Atlantic, awaiting the time when her tracking devices will be called into action.

The ship has Cape Town down as her next port of call following Durban, but that’s on 21 September 2024. This is another indicator that Yuan Wang 7 will be taking up station in the South Atlantic, probably somewhere not too far off the African coast.

The ships of this special fleet belong to the China Maritime Satellite Telemetry and Control Department based in Jiangyin, which is in Jiangsu province. Several of the early types, specifically numbers 1 and 2, have been withdrawn and retired. The latest to have been built is now berthed in Durban – Yuan Wang 7 which was built in 2016 to assist with tracking during the launches of subsequent crewed space missions.

Yuan Wang 7 has a length of 220 metres, a width of 27m and displaces approximately 25,000 tons. Along her deck are three large and highly visible 10-12 metre diameter dishes. What’s inside the ship is accommodation for several hundred scientists, technicians and crew and no doubt much sophisticated equipment. It’s possible that quite a few of the specialists on board will be joining the ship in Durban, having flown in.

May Yuan Wang 7’s mission be successful.

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Port News & Advisories

Africa Ports & Ships

SAECS: Cape Town Port Omission

As a result of operational delays and to maintain the South Africa-Europe Container Service (SAECS) schedule integrity, the container vessel ONE Readiness, on voyage 243S/243N, will omit her Cape Town call.

Cape Town import cargo will be discharged in Durban and connect to the vessel Santa Rita v.242N.

Cargo originally planned for the vessel ONE Readiness v.243N in Cape Town will be transferred to the vessel ONE Resilience v.001W.

The updated schedule is as follows:

ONE Readiness v.243S/N      Arrives Departs
Durban                                   24 Aug   28 Aug
Cape Town                                     Omit
Rotterdam                              17 Sep    18 Sep

ONE Resilience v.001W         Arrives  Departs
Durban                                   25 Aug   28 Aug
Cape Town                              31 Aug   02 Sep
Rotterdam                              24 Sep    26 Sep

Santa Rita v.242S/N             Arrives   Departs
Durban                                   30 Aug    03 Sep
Cape Town                              09 Sep    12 Sep
Rotterdam                               24 Sep    25 Sep

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Fruitbridge: Ngqura Omission

Maersk has advised that due to recent extreme weather in and around the South African coast in the past few weeks, which has negatively impacted port operations and vessel movements especially in the Port Elizabeth region, the Fruitbridge vessel Pescara will omit Ngqura to maintain schedule integrity. Maersk is looking at an alternate coverage option and will advise accordingly.

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Expiration of 2023 Letters of Authority – APM Terminals Apapa

APM Terminals Port of Apapa, Lagos advises that effective Sunday, 1 September 2024, the acceptance of the 2024 Letter of Authority (LOA) will be enforced.

Clients are encouraged to approach APM Terminals’ Customer Care Counter with the relevant documents to have their 2024 Letter of Authority (LOA) stamped as soon as possible. The 2023 LOA will no longer be accepted after Saturday, 31 August 2024.

Beginning on Sunday, 1 September 2024, only agencies with a current 2024 Letter of Authority will be permitted to perform transactions at APM Terminals Customer Care.

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MSC clinches “Best Shipping Line – Asia-Africa” accolade

MSC has clinched the “Best Shipping Line – Asia-Africa” accolade at the 2024 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards. This victory marks the fifth time that the world’s largest container shipping company has won the esteemed title.

Signature Trade Services Seamlessly Connecting Asia with Africa

In recent decades, economic ties between Africa and Asia have significantly deepened, with Asia emerging as one of Africa’s primary trading partners. To enhance trade between these two vibrant regions, MSC seamlessly connects the two continents through its signature Africa Express and Ingwe services.

Recognising robust growth in markets such as Kenya and Tanzania, MSC also introduced the Dar Es Salaam Express service in 2024. This new service offers direct connections from the Far East to Mombasa and Dar Es Salaam, reinforcing the connections between East African and Asia.

As the sole carrier of these three services, MSC offers flexibilities to its clients. For instance, MSC holds priority berthing rights at its Africa Hub in Lomé and major transshipment centres of Abidjan and Tema, facilitating efficient service to West Africa.

Additionally, to South Africa, MSC has implemented regular contingency plans between busy ports such as Durban and Ngqura, ensuring prompt container discharges.

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Two new Malaysian patrol boats for Nigerian Navy

by defenceWeb

The Nigerian Navy’s patrol boat flotilla will add two new patrol vessels to its fleet in September following a successful two-year build in Malaysia.

Shipbuilding companies KN Aluminium and Engineering (KNAE) and Northern Shipyard, both Malaysian private limited companies, completed construction, fabrication and manufacture of what a Malaysian news agency termed “38 metre Sea Eagle” vessels using local expertise and labour.

The Sea Eagle is a Suncraft design for for naval or coast guard patrol duties within Exclusive Economic Zones(EEZ). The Sea Eagle comes with a stern ramp to accommodate a fast-launched RHIB or Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) to fulfil additional operational requirements. Top speed is 29 knots and armament is a 20 or 40 mm cannon.

The new additions (P197 and P198) to the Nigerian Navy fleet will be ferried to Lagos’ Apapa Port aboard a cargo vessel, Bernama reported.

Present at the construction completion ceremony on 13 August was Malaysian Deputy Defence Minister Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari.

Noting the 99% local labour and expertise component of the build, KNAE Director Khee Chee Kheong said his company specialised in the design, manufacture and integration of ships using the latest and most advanced systems to meet the needs of an ever-evolving maritime industry.

He expressed the hope that the ability to build the two vessels would be further recognised with opportunities to build ships for the Malaysian Navy.

Northern Shipyard via its Corporate Relations Manager, Captain Baharin Baharom, noted the newest vessel to exit its yard marked continuity in that it followed a previous contract for four Manta Mk II patrol craft in February 2020, which are now in service with the Nigerian Navy. The Nigerian Navy is a repeat customer for the Manta Mk II and by 2013 had taken 22 of the 17 metre long vessels into service.

The Nigerian Navy has previously acquired Sea Eagle vessels, notably commissioning the NNS Zaria and NNS Burutu in April 2009.

Written by defenceWeb and republished with permission. The original article can be found here

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IMO assistance: Cote d’Ivoire – Safety of domestic ferries and fishing vessels

Edited by Paul Ridgway 
Africa Ports & Ships
London

To help ensure safety of fishing vessels and domestic ferries not covered by regulations under IMO’s Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) treaty, IMO organized a national workshop in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, and held from 12-16 August.

Broad attendance; key safety regulations

Twenty-six participants, including ship surveyors and inspectors, domestic ferries and small fishing vessels operators, were familiarised with key safety regulations to improve the monitoring, reporting and safety of vessels. This supports Cote d’Ivoire to further develop its capacities to strengthen domestication and implementation of related regulatory measures including the Model regulations on Domestic Ferry Safety.

The IMO ITCP

The workshop was delivered through IMO’s Integrated technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) with the General Directorate of Maritime and Port Affairs of Cote d’Ivoire.

By way of background the SOLAS Convention in its successive forms is generally regarded as the most important of all international treaties concerning the safety of merchant ships.

The first version was adopted in 1914, in response to the Titanic disaster, the second in 1929, the third in 1948, and the fourth in 1960.

The 1974 version includes the tacit acceptance procedure – which provides that an amendment shall enter into force on a specified date unless, before that date, objections to the amendment are received from an agreed number of Parties.

As a result the 1974 Convention has been updated and amended on numerous occasions.

The Convention in force today is sometimes referred to as SOLAS, 1974, as amended.

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Critical satellite infrastructure starts deployment in Africa

Africa Ports & Ships

The first of a series of receiving stations to capture data provided by MTG satellites was installed today in Nairobi, Kenya.

The first of a series of PUMA-2025 receiving stations specifically designed to capture data from the next-generation of Meteosat geostationary satellites was installed today in Nairobi, Kenya. It will ensure that Kenyan meteorologists can use the most accurate and frequent data from the Meteosat-Third Generation (MTG) satellites to support the sustainable development of local communities and protect lives and livelihoods.

EUMETSAT supports the African Union Commission’s effort to set up a network of similar stations in several national weather and climate services across the entire continent in the following months. This will empower most African meteorologists and scientists with the most recent technology to receive and use MTG data.

EUMETSAT’s Meteosat satellites are the only Earth observation satellites that have a constant view of Africa. MTG will provide higher resolution images of Africa than is possible now and more frequently, that is, every 10 minutes.

“The African Union and EUMETSAT signed an agreement in 2022 to ensure that the right infrastructure would be implemented to empower African users with data from MTG,” explains Phil Evans, EUMETSAT Director-General. “The milestone we just passed ensures continuity of satellite data reception across the continent, enabling more efficient early warnings for all, more accurate forecasting of extreme weather events, and better protection for all.”

The first PUMA station was installed almost 20 years ago, in February 2004, to receive Meteosat-Second Generation (MSG) data within the framework of the Preparation for Use of Meteosat in Africa (PUMA) project. Until now, thanks to the support of various EU-funded programmes in Africa (such as PUMA, AMESD, MESA) this infrastructure successfully enabled African weather and climate services across the entire continent to receive data from the Meteosat geostationary satellites in a timely and efficient way, to forecast and monitor extreme weather events. The current installations aim at upgrading the infrastructure for MTG; it will be accompanied by relevant trainings to maximise benefits for meteorologists and enable local maintenance.

Upcoming installations include a station in Cotonou, Benin, where the 16th EUMETSAT User Forum in Africa will take place. The event will provide a platform for African meteorologists to share knowledge and best practices on the use of the Meteosat data and discuss perspectives to improve Early Warning systems.

Read more about the benefits of the EUMETSAT data in Kenya.

About EUMETSAT

EUMETSAT, Europe’s meteorological satellite agency, monitors the weather and climate from space. Based in Darmstadt, Germany, EUMETSAT provides its 30 member states with meteorological imagery and data that are essential for keeping their communities safe and for the benefit of critical sectors of their economies.

EUMETSAT’s 30 member states are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

For more information, see here.

Added 19 August 2024

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Début du déploiement d’une infrastructure satellitaire essentielle en Afrique

Africa Ports & Ships

La première unité d’une série de stations de réception PUMA-2025, spécialement conçues pour recevoir les données des satellites géostationnaires Meteosat de nouvelle génération, a été installée aujourd’hui à Nairobi, au Kenya.

Elle permettra aux météorologues kényans d’exploiter les données plus précises fournies plus fréquemment par les satellites Meteosat Troisième Génération (MTG) pour soutenir le développement durable de communautés locales et protéger les vies et les moyens de subsistance.

EUMETSAT soutient les efforts que déploie la Commission de l’Union africaine pour mettre en place dans les mois à venir un réseau de stations similaires reliant plusieurs services météorologiques et climatologiques nationaux et couvrant tout le continent. Ce projet permettra à la plupart des météorologues et des scientifiques africains de disposer de la technologie la plus récente pour recevoir les données de MTG et les exploiter.

Les satellites Meteosat d’EUMETSAT sont les seuls satellites d’observation de la Terre qui couvrent en permanence la surface de l’Afrique. MTG va livrer des images de l’Afrique présentant une résolution plus fine que ce qui est possible actuellement et de manière plus fréquente, c’est-à-dire toutes les 10 minutes.

«L’Union africaine et EUMETSAT ont signé un accord en 2022 afin de garantir la mise en place d’une infrastructure adéquate et permettre ainsi aux utilisateurs africains d’accéder aux données de MTG», explique Phil Evans, le Directeur général d’EUMETSAT. «L’étape que nous venons de franchir assure une réception continue des données satellitaires sur tout le continent, ce qui permet d’améliorer l’efficacité des alertes précoces, d’affiner les prévisions de phénomènes météorologiques extrêmes et une meilleure protection des populations.»

La première station PUMA a été installée en février 2004 dans le cadre du projet PUMA (Préparation à l’utilisation de MSG en Afrique) afin de réceptionner les données des satellites Meteosat Seconde Génération (MSG). Depuis lors et pendant plus de 20 ans, l’infrastructure PUMA, qui a bénéficié du soutien de divers programmes financés par l’UE en Afrique (tels que PUMA, AMESD ou MESA), a permis aux services météorologiques et climatologiques africains répartis sur tout le continent de recevoir rapidement et efficacement les données des satellites géostationnaires Meteosat, et prévoir ainsi la formation de phénomènes météorologiques extrêmes et de surveiller leur évolution. L’installation de nouvelles stations PUMA-2025 vise à moderniser cette infrastructure pour l’adapter à MTG; des formations appropriées seront également dispensées afin que les météorologues en tirent tous les avantages possibles et de permettre leur maintenance au niveau local.

L’une des prochaines stations à être installées le sera à Cotonou, au Bénin, où se tiendra le 16e Forum des usagers d’EUMETSAT en Afrique. Cet événement sera l’occasion pour les météorologues africains de partager leurs connaissances et leurs bonnes pratiques en matière d’utilisation des données Meteosat et de réfléchir aux moyens d’améliorer les systèmes d’alerte précoce.

Pour en savoir plus sur l’impact des données d’EUMETSAT au Kenya.

À propos d’EUMETSAT

EUMETSAT, l’agence européenne de satellites météorologiques, surveille le temps et le climat depuis l’espace. Située à Darmstadt (Allemagne), elle fournit à ses 30 États membres des images et des données satellitaires essentielles à la sécurité des populations et aux secteurs clés de leurs économies.

EUMETSAT compte 30 États membres : Allemagne, Autriche, Belgique, Bulgarie, Croatie, Danemark, Espagne, Estonie, Finlande, France, Grèce, Hongrie, Irlande, Islande, Italie, Lettonie, Lituanie, Luxembourg, Norvège, Pays-Bas, Pologne, Portugal, République tchèque, Roumanie, Royaume-Uni, Slovaquie, Slovénie, Suède, Suisse et Türkiye.

Pour de plus amples informations, consulter le site Web d’EUMETSAT

Ajouté le 19 août 2024

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SHIPS THAT CALL: Maersk Rio Blanco

Pictures by Jumaine Kruger 
Story by Terry Hutson
Africa Ports & Ships

An interesting arrival at the port of Durban in recent weeks was the Maersk Rio Blanco (IMO 9348089) which took up her berth at the Durban Container Terminal. What stands out about the ship is that, so far as is known, this is the first of the former Hamburg Süd container ships to appear in South Africa in Maersk colours since the takeover of the German company in November 2017.

Since that date and even for a long time before the takeover, the former Hamburg Süd vessels were frequent callers at the principal South African container ports of Durban, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, still operating in the distinctive red hulls of the German line with the words Hamburg Süd emblazoned along their hulls.

From early in the 2000s as new Hamburg Süd ships came out of the Asian shipyards, most of them called at Durban to deliver cargo and take bunkers while en route to South America to join with Hamburg Süd services between South America and Europe or to North America.

At that stage many of these were one-off delivery calls but one ship in particular, Santa Clara, stood out even further when she was officially christened alongside the New Pier 1 in Durban Harbour, a singular honour paid to a South African port by the German company, whose directors were all present for the occasion. That was on 21 January 2011.

Santa Clara and several of her 93,551-dwt 300-metre long sisters continue to call while now on the Maersk SAECS service between South Africa and northern Europe.

The Santa class ships were the most frequent of the German vessels to call, and this has continued since the Maersk takeover, but now it seems the slightly smaller Post-Panamax Rio class are getting a look-in. This is with the 80,115-dwt Maersk Rio Blanco, not quite as obvious in her blue hull and white upperworks colour scheme of the Maersk company.

Maersk Rio Blanco

The 286-metre long by 40-m beam Maersk Rio Blanco was built in 2009 at the Daewoo Mangalia Heavy Industries shipyard in Mangalia, Rumania and has a container carrying capacity of 5,908 TEUs (twenty-foot container equivalents). She is one of three Rio-class ships built for Hamburg Süd at the Mangalia yard.

Maersk Rio Blanco’s installed power comes from an 8-cylinder Doosan Engine model 8RTA96CB[7] driving a controllable-pitch propeller and having a maximum continuous rating of 45,760 kW with 102 revolutions per minute at MCR to provide her with a speed of 23 knots. The ship also features 4 main power distribution system auxiliary generators at 3,800-kilowatt (5,100 hp) each. The vessel’s steam piping system features an Aalborg CH 8-500 auxiliary boiler.

The ship was previously deployed on the Hamburg Süd Australia/New Zealand South East Asia (SENZ-Southern Loop) liner service operated by Maersk. It would appear her new service schedule will instead see the ship plying her trade between the Far East and South Africa.

Maersk Rio Blanco is registered in Monrovia, Liberia and is owned by A.P. Moller Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Added 18 August 2024

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Port of Berbera: IMO maritime security training boost

Edited by Paul Ridgway
Africa Ports & Ships
London

IMO reports that its work to support maritime security in Somalia has continued with capacity building activities held at the port of Berbera from 10 to 13 August.

Broad representation; study of threats

Participants from Somaliland Maritime Security Coordination Office, Berbera Port Authority, Coast Guard, Police, Immigration and the Customs considered ways to enhance port security – taking into consideration the increasing threats to maritime security in the region.

Assessment process; plans

Training focused on how to develop and update a port facility security plan, including the assessment process and the need to adjust plans to meet new and emerging threats to security. Key messages included security as an enabler for maritime development, and the need for effective inter-agency cooperation.

IMO publications

The programme included lectures and discussions on the special measures to enhance maritime security in IMO’s SOLAS chapter XI-2 and the ISPS Code and related guidance.

The training was organized by the IMO Maritime Security Section.

Added 18 August 2024

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Maersk links with LR and Core Power to explore nuclear-powered feeder container ships

Africa Ports & Ships

Aimed at achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and CORE POWER have launched a joint regulatory assessment study to research the regulatory feasibility and frameworks for a nuclear-powered containership.

The study involves using a fourth-generation reactor noted for its high inherent safety to undertake cargo operations at a port in Europe.

Following initial planning, the industry leaders, who have been joined by A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk), have formalised their collaboration through the signing of a joint development project agreement to undertake the study.

The joint study will investigate the requirements for updated safety rules along with the improved operational and regulatory understanding that is needed for the application of nuclear power in container shipping.

In addition, this study will provide insight for members of the maritime value chain who are exploring the business case for nuclear power to help shape their fleet strategy towards achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

The study will bring together the expertise of LR as a trusted adviser to the maritime industry, CORE POWER’s experience of developing advanced nuclear energy technology for maritime applications, a leading Port Authority and Maersk’s extensive experience in shipping and logistics.

Nick Brown, CEO Lloyd’s Register said the initiation of this joint study marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards unlocking the potential of nuclear power in the maritime industry.

This, he said, “paves the way for emissions-free operations, more agile service networks and greater efficiency through the supply chain. A multi-fuel pathway to decarbonising the maritime industry is crucial to ensuring we as an industry meet the IMO’s emission reduction targets and nuclear propulsion shows signs of playing a key role in this energy transition.”

According to Mikal Bøe, CEO at CORE POWER, there is no net-zero without nuclear. “A critical key to unlocking the vast potential for nuclear energy to transform how the maritime sector is powered, is the standards framework for commercial insurability of floating nuclear power plants and nuclear-powered ships that would operate in near shore environments, ports, and waterways,” he said.

“We’re immensely pleased to be working with some of Europe’s most respected industry participants to set out the conditions for how this can be achieved.”

A.P. Moller – Maersk’s Head of Fleet Technology, Ole Graa Jakobsen, said that since Maersk launched its energy transition strategy in 2018, Maersk has continuously explored diverse low emission energy options for its assets.

“Nuclear power holds a number of challenges related to for example safety, waste management, and regulatory acceptance across regions, and so far, the downsides have clearly outweighed the benefits of the technology,” Jakobsen said.

“If these challenges can be addressed by development of the new so-called fourth-generation reactor designs, nuclear power could potentially mature into another possible decarbonisation pathway for the logistics industry 10 to 15 years in the future.

“Therefore, we continue to monitor and assess this technology, along with all other low emission solutions.”

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Liberian Registry launches RISC, a maritime compliance tool

Africa Ports & Ships

Liberian Registry’s CEO, Alfonso Castillero, has announced the launch of RISC, a new tool aimed at strengthening maritime compliance.

Castillero was delivering the opening remarks at the launch of the innovative Registry Information Sharing Compact (RISC) database.

The groundbreaking initiative, created as a sovereign decision by member states and reputable flags, aims to keep flag registries informed and up-to-date with vessels’ backgrounds and any sanctions issues.

The announcement was made in Washington, DC, with support by the U.S. Department of State and included participation from several embassies representing various flags.

The RISC database is a free online tool for consultation among flags wishing to share and access details on vessels’ backgrounds.

It allows flag registries to share and research information on problem vessels that may be evading regulations or engaging in suspicious activities. By sharing this data, flag registries can be more informed, eliminate risks, and prevent flag-hopping when under investigation.

“The Registry Information Sharing Compact database marks a significant advancement in our collective efforts to maintain the integrity and security of global shipping,” said Castillero.

“With this platform we are strengthening our defenses and working together to uphold the highest standards of compliance and safety.”

Added 18 August 2024

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Port of Nacala looking at record levels of growth

Africa Ports & Ships

The port of Nacala, Mozambique’s third largest general cargo port, has set a target of reaching 3.5 million tons of cargo by the end of 2024. By the end of July 2024 the port had handled 1.8mt.

In 2023 the Nacala port handled a then record of 3.1 million tons, up from the 2.7 million tons of 2022.

These figures are for the general cargo port and do not include the coal exports at the neighbouring Nacala-a-Velha port on the opposite side of the bay, where in 2023 a total of 13.6 million tons of coal exports was handled.

Coal is delivered by rail along the Nacala rail corridor from the Moatize district in Tete province, Mozambique.

The Nacala general cargo port has been gradually expanding its cargo handling infrastructure and capability of accepting increased volumes.

Port Director, Neimo Induna, said the port infrastructure improvements including having increased the depth alongside the quay to up to -14 metres, has enabled an increased flow of imports and exports and is proving to be beneficial for the neighbouring inland countries who make use of the port.

“[The port] is increasingly opening up to the world, as a result of its efficiency in cargo handling”, Induna said as quoted by Rádio Moçambique.

He said Malawi and Zambia were the two neighbours that are benefiting the most from the improvements made at the port of Nacala. Both countries ar directly connected by rail and road to the port situated at the upper end of the Mozambique Channel.

Nacala is now able to handle ships of up to 60,000 ton deadweight and has reduced the time spent at the berth, as a result of the introduction of modern new equipment.

The port of Nacala is making Mozambique a strategic provider of rail and port services, Induna added.

Added 16 August 2024

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Durban’s five new tugs are officially named

Africa Ports & Ships

Added to boost shipping efficiencies at SA’s busiest port

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is accelerating the implementation of its R1 billion investment towards a reliable marine fleet, with the latest addition of five new tugboats aimed at improving shipping efficiencies at the Port of Durban.

That was the message on Thursday (15 August 2024) during a christening ceremony held at the Port of Durban, when TNPA officially launched and named the latest investment of five tugboats into the port’s marine fleet.

This forms part of TNPA’s marine Fleet Renewal Programme, which prioritises the acquisition of marine assets to strengthen shipping operations at the ports. The investment in the marine fleet is an important element of Transnet’s efforts to revitalise South Africa’s ports and support economic growth.

This tugboat acquisition entails a total of seven tugs, with two allocated to the Port of East London and are scheduled to be unveiled at a launch, naming and christening ceremony in East London in September.

This brings TNPA’s tugboat complement to a total of 38 across its eight commercial seaports, with the Port of Durban boasting the highest number of 14 tugs.

These assets are critical for delivering marine services and various port services such as pilotage, towage, firefighting, marine search and rescue as well as waterside pollution combat.

Delivering the keynote address at the christening ceremony at the Port of Durban, Transnet Board Chairperson, Andile Sangqu highlighted the significance of investing in marine assets.

“The procurement of this fleet demonstrates Transnet’s commitment to fully realising the Recovery Plan,” he said. “We are now approaching 12 months of the 18-month cycle and can see improvement in the agility of executing strategic projects, which will enhance the organisation’s competitiveness.

Sangqu said meeting the objectives of the Marine Fleet Renewal Programme coupled with a skilled workforce will catapult Transnet’s responsiveness to meeting global shipping demands.

As the busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa, the additional fleet will enable the Port of Durban’s readiness to respond with on-demand craft in the safe navigation of vessels within the port.

With a bollard-pull of 60 tonnes, the tugs delivered by Damen Shipyards Cape Town (ex Damen Vietnam) feature the latest hull design and propulsion system consisting of diesel engines fitted with Azimuth Stern Drive.

These comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s Tier III environmental standards. This makes the tugs fully capable of handling larger vessels that call at South Africa’s premier container port.

Director of Damen Shipyards Cape Town, Sefale Montsi, said Damen is proud to deliver these five cutting-edge Damen ASD tugboats to the Port of Durban, in partnership with Transnet National Ports Authority.

“Equipped with Damen’s internet-of-things Triton solution, these tugs are game-changers for operational efficiency and safety. This collaboration will drive modernisation and set new standards for the maritime sector. We are excited to continue working with TNPA to shape the future of South Africa’s ports,” she said.

The tugs will be integrated into commercial shipping operations this week at the Port of Durban.

The new names are as follows: LEWATLE (IMO 9934802); SELEMO (IMO 9945409); MOKGWADHA (IMO 9944895); SEPELONG (IMO 9945394); VHUTSHILO (9950739).

Added 15 August 2024

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Barcelona expands: New automated cranes

Edited by Paul Ridgway 
Africa Ports & Ships
London

It has been reported that in the first week of August BEST container terminal at the Port of Barcelona took delivery of fourteen new automated cranes (ASC) from the Finnish supplier Konecranes.

These new automated cranes will allow the terminal to increase its storage capacity by 25% in the coming months, from twenty-seven to thirty-four automated blocks. The new cranes will be assembled and tested in the coming weeks and the first new block is expected to be fully operational in September, with the seventh to follow in early 2025.

The cranes are electric and rail-mounted, like most of the terminal’s equipment, as the Hutchison Ports Group has been committed from the outset to building an efficient and environmentally sustainable terminal in the Port of Barcelona.

“This new investment will result in an increase in the terminal’s operational and storage capacity and will contribute to the continuous improvement of the quality of service in both maritime and inland operations,” said Guillermo Belcastro, CEO of Hutchison Ports BEST.

BEST currently has thirteen Super Post-Panamax quay cranes, capable of operating with the world’s largest container ships. Furthermore, there are fifty-four automated stacking cranes (ASC), two cranes at the rail terminal (rail mounted gantry cranes or RMG) and forty shuttle carriers to operate the terminal which occupies 80 hectares and has a berth length of 1,500 metres with a depth of 16.5 metres.

About Hutchison Ports
Hutchison Port Holdings Limited (Hutchison Ports), is the ports and related services division of CK Hutchison. The Hutchison Ports network of port operations comprises 53 ports spanning 24 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia.

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Transnet concerned with media reports over OBS tender process

Africa Ports & Ships

Transnet SOC Ltd has raised concern about articles in the media casting doubt on the integrity of the OBS tender process that resulted in the Fidelity Group being appointed as one of the OBS Security Service Providers.

The OBS (Outcomes Based Security) tender process is aimed at a solution to combat theft and vandalism on the Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) rail network.

Transnet said on Tuesday that in a move to turn the tide against theft and vandalism of essential infrastructure across the organisation’s logistics network, TFR had awarded security contracts to five Security Service Providers (SSPs) to service its rail corridors.

The state-of-the art security offering supports TFR’s ability to provide consistent and dependable service to its customers. According to Transnet, theft and vandalism of infrastructure and assets leads to loss of revenue and increased security and maintenance costs for critical infrastructure for operations.

Open & competitive process

The company said it followed an open and competitive bidding process and subsequently underwent a comprehensive bid evaluation procedure in the awarding of the contract.

“On 10 August 2022, Transnet issued a Request for Proposals (Number HOAC-HO-38271), inviting open and competitive bid submissions for the provision of security services. The process of bid evaluation and award is conducted through various governance committees
and is not determined by any single individual.

“In recent weeks, there have been media reports casting doubt on the integrity of the OBS tender process that resulted in the Fidelity Group being appointed as one of the OBS SSPs.

“In view of allegations made by the African Security Congress (ASC), in correspondence to Transnet and in the media, Transnet has, as a measure of diligence, commissioned an investigation to determine the facts and associated circumstances with regard to the allegations pertaining to the award of the tender.”

Transnet added that it will be premature to comment or ascribe any accountability prior to the completion of the investigation.

Peddled narrative

According to Transnet, the peddled narrative that the cancellation of a 2021 tender for the manufacturing of a Contact Wire Reflector (CWR) device on behalf of Transnet was motivated to allow for the award of the Fidelity Group as one of the OBS SSPs, is “regrettable in the least”.

“The scope of services of the CWR and OBS tenders are entirely unrelated. The CWR tender called for the manufacturing of the CWR device developed and patented by Transnet whereas the OBS tender calls for real-time prevention and detection of theft and vandalism in TFR operations.

“Notably, an independent investigation into the CWR tender commissioned by Transnet in 2022 confirmed that Fidelity did not respond with a bid to the Request for Proposals regarding the manufacturing of the CWR device.”

Transnet said it has zero tolerance for collusion and corruption and therefore should it be presented with factual evidence of such conduct, Transnet will reopen the matter.

Added 15 August 2024

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GENERAL NEWS REPORTS – UPDATED THROUGH THE DAY

Total cargo handled by tonnes during July 2024, including containers by weight

PORT	July 2024 million tonnes
Richards Bay	5.945
Durban	6.727
Saldanha Bay	4.439
Cape Town	1.146
Port Elizabeth	1.209
Ngqura	1.335
Mossel Bay	0.146
East London	0.151
Total all ports during July 2024	20.954 million tonnes

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Terry Hutson