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

Advertise here. This space above is available. For a Rate Card email us at terry@africaports.co.za

For a 2025 Rate Card please contact us at terry@africaports.co.za

DAILY BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS FOR THE WEEK 4-10 MAY 2025

Click on headline to go direct to story: use the BACK key to return  

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

FIRST VIEW: World’s largest battery-electric ship launched in Tasmania

A bold chapter in sustainable maritime transport opened this week as Hobart-based Incat Tasmania launched the world’s largest battery-electric ship, marking a global milestone in clean energy shipbuilding. Hundreds gathered at the Incat shipyard on the banks of the River Derwent to witness the launch of Hull 096, a 130-metre-long vessel constructed for South American ferry operator Buquebus. When it enters service later this year on the busy River Plate route between Buenos Aires and Uruguay, the vessel will operate entirely on battery-electric power — a first for a ship of this scale.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Mega Cranes arrive at DCT Pier 2 ahead of peak season

Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 is boosting its container-handling capacity with the arrival of four new ship-to-shore cranes, just in time for the busy year-end retail season. Components for the first two of the four cranes have now been delivered to DCT Pier 2, with commissioning scheduled for October and November 2025 respectively. Each crane costs R242 million and represents a significant technological leap forward for South Africa’s busiest container terminal. “The South Quay has been under immense pressure due to the limitations of our aging crane fleet,” said Earle Peters, Managing Executive at Durban Terminals. “The arrival of these Liebherr cranes marks a major step forward in restoring reliability, boosting productivity, and ensuring we meet the evolving demands of global trade.”

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

TNPA announces 5 preferred bidders for the Richards Bay Liquid Bulk terminals

In an announcement on Thursday 8 May 2025, TNPA announced the names of five preferred bidders to develop, manage and operate the liquid bulk and green fuel terminals at the port of Richards Bay. The terminals will be situated in the South Dunes Precinct of the port and will be managed and operated on a concession basis for a period of 25 years. The development, worth approximately R17 billion, is an integral part of expanding the port’s liquid bulk handling capacity while advancing South Africa’s energy transition. The successful preferred bidders are:   Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

WHARF TALK: Japanese cruise ship – ASUKA III

It is a set of well-known statistics that Japan is a very wealthy nation, a member of the G7, with its economy being ranked as the third largest in the world, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$4.21 trillion (ZAR76.92 trillion), which is more than ten times the South Africa GDP of US$380.7 billion (ZAR6.96 trillion). It has been a major economic power for a number of decades, and has a population of over 123 million citizens, who have a GDP per capita spending power of US$33,767 (ZAR616,960) each. That large GDP includes an industrial base that includes the third largest ship building industry in the world, one which produces almost every type of vessel that the casual maritime observer could think of.   Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Red Sea ceasefire offers diplomatic hope — but maritime risk remains high, says Dryad Global

A newly announced ceasefire in the Red Sea region marks a step forward in diplomacy, but shipping risk remains elevated, warns maritime intelligence firm Dryad Global. On 6 May, the U.S. confirmed a halt to its Yemen airstrikes—operations that began in mid-March — following an Oman-brokered ceasefire proposal with Yemen’s Houthi movement. The agreement aims to suspend hostilities between U.S. forces and the Houthis, particularly around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. Although there have been no direct attacks on commercial vessels in the region since late 2024, the Joint War Committee in London has maintained its high-risk classification for these waters. Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Xeneta suggests a return of container ships to the Red Sea following the US-Houthi ceasefire announcement, could cause global collapse in freight rates

 

Potential return of container ships to Red Sea following US-Houthi ceasefire announcement could cause global collapse in freight rates, according to Xeneta data. The prospect of a largescale return of container ships to the Red Sea following the announcement of a ceasefire between the US and Houthi militia in Yemen would flood the market with shipping capacity and cause a global collapse in freight rates – but the situation remains far from certain. Data released by Xeneta – the ocean and air freight intelligence platform – shows global TEU-mile demand would ….   Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

IMO and new sulphur emission limits: Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Sea officially became an Emission Control Area (Med SOx ECA) under MARPOL Annex VI on 1 May 2025. The sulphur content in fuel oil for ships operating in the area is now limited to 0.1%, significantly reducing air pollution and delivering major benefits to both human health and the marine environment. This was reported by IMO on 1 May 2025. Ships operating in Emission Control Areas for Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter, such as the Mediterranean Sea, are now subject to strict mandatory measures to prevent, reduce, and control air pollution.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

AGL Terminals launches operations at Cape Town’s A-Berth, Duncan Docks

A new chapter in South Africa’s port sector has begun with AGL Terminals, a subsidiary of Africa Global Logistics (AGL), officially launching operations at A-Berth in the Port of Cape Town’s Duncan Docks. This follows the conclusion of a lease agreement with Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), effective from 1 April 2025. The move is being hailed as a significant milestone in private-sector participation in South African port operations, reinforcing TNPA’s goal of improving port efficiency through strategic partnerships.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Port Sudan under siege: Drone strikes disrupt key maritime hub

Port Sudan, Sudan – In a significant escalation of Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict, the strategic Red Sea port city of Port Sudan has come under sustained drone attacks, marking a dramatic shift in the two-year war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Beginning on 4 May 2025, the RSF launched a series of drone strikes targeting critical infrastructure in Port Sudan, including the Osman Digna airbase, fuel depots, the city’s main container terminal, and the international airport.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Flag State implementation: Africa

A regional workshop led by IMO in Mombasa has helped maritime professionals in Eastern and Southern Africa enhance their understanding of flag States’ obligations under IMO conventions, and how to authorise Recognized Organizations to ensure these obligations are met. The Regional Workshop on Flag State Implementation (FSI) and the Authorization of Recognized Organizations held from 7-11 April brought together thirty-nine participants from seventeen countries to promote effective implementation of IMO regulations, and support safe, secure and more environmentally sustainable shipping.   Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Three vessels later: Damen Shipyards Cape Town ready, willing and able to do more for SA Navy

The late April delivery of the third multi-mission inshore patrol vessel (MMIPV) for the SA Navy (SAN) was not only the culmination of a strategic national initiative, it advanced local shipbuilding capabilities and is a driver for industrial development, the Cape Town shipyard responsible for building all three platforms has said. The construction and timeous handover of SAS King Sekhukhune I (P1571), SAS King Shaka Zulu (P1572) and, on 25 April, Adam Kok III (P1573) by Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) was described as a commitment by company director Sefale Montsi.   Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

WHARF TALK: Russian four masted barque – KRUZENSHTERN

Two things that are often stated are the common sayings that, firstly ‘history is written by the victor’ and, that secondly, ‘to the victor goes the spoils’. It is also a well-known diplomatic fact that if you decide to start a war, and you then go on to lose it, that the losing side has to pay what are referred to as ‘reparations’ to the winning side. This is something that is laid out in international law, namely Article III of the Hague Convention of 1907. We shall see why these sayings, and this particular piece of international law, are connected to the vessel in focus. Once more the analogy of the London Bus scenario has also come to pass.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Middle East & North Africa (MENA) maritime administrators complete 5-day IMO audit preparation

At the end of April IMO reported that senior maritime administrators from nine countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region completed a five-day workshop in preparation for their respective audits under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme(IMSAS). Under IMSAS, all Member States are required to undergo a mandatory audit within a seven-year audit cycle, to assess their performance in implementing applicable IMO instruments.  The workshop was jointly organized in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 21-25 April by IMO and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE, as the host country.   Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

London’s V-E Day commemoration

A major military parade and flypast in central London was held today, 5 May, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe – Victory in Europe Day. The parade, which moved off at 12:00, comprised in the region of 1,300 members of the Armed Forces from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. Contingents also represented the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Merchant Navy, and Commonwealth and Allied forces. Representative flags of the Commonwealth Member States were carried by troops. Twenty-three aircraft formed a Royal Air Force flypast.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Go-ahead given to double final section of Maputo-Ressano Garcia railway

Perhaps in parallel with the news of DP World’s $165 million expansion of Maputo Container Terminal (see story immediately below this report), we hear that Mozambique’s government intends completing the doubling of the Maputo-Ressano Garcia railway. This will be the second section of the Maputo railway to be doubled and involves the section between Movene and Ressano Garcia on the border with South Africa. According to Transport and Communications Minister, João Matlombe, the doubling of this section will cost more than $200 million (or 13.2 billion meticals) but will vastly improve the capacity of what is developing into one of Southern Africa’s most strategic railways. The section from Movene to Ressano is a short 25 kilometres.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

DP World launches $165 million expansion of Maputo Container Terminal

Global logistics giant DP World has broken ground on a $165 million expansion of the container terminal at Mozambique’s Port of Maputo, marking a major step forward in transforming the port into a key trade and logistics hub for Southern Africa. Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Jorge Matlombe, attended the launch event on 1 May, underlining the government’s support for the project, which aims to double the terminal’s capacity and significantly improve its efficiency. The expansion will see the terminal equipped to handle post-Panamax vessels up to 366 metres in length.   Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

TNPA seeks interested party to operate and manage Port of Durban’s Maydon Wharf 15-berth terminal precinct

25-Year Concession Period: Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has today (Monday 5 May 2025) issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the appointment of a terminal operator to design, develop, fund, construct, operate, maintain and transfer a multi-purpose terminal (MPT) handling fresh produce and compatible break bulk cargo for a twenty-five (25) year concession period at the Port of Durban. The issuing of this RFP is in accordance with Section 56 of the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005 to enhance port’s efficiency and competitiveness. This brownfield development is earmarked for the Maydon Wharf precinct of the port, which has its landside area dedicated to commercial logistics, including warehousing and transport logistics-related activities.   Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Positive start to the South African citrus export season

The South African citrus industry expects to export a total of 171,1 million 15kg cartons of citrus in the 2025 season. That’s according to Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, chief executive of the CGA, reporting on the first complete forecast of the 2025 season following confirmation of the mandarin estimate. The final figure of last year was 164,5 million cartons. Ntshabele said there seems to be a favourable start to the 2025 season so far, with the early season being mostly dominated by exports of lemons and grapefruit.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

WHARF TALK: Dutch three masted topsail schooner – OOSTERSCHELDE

For those who are regular readers of this column, they will already know that in 1836 the famous voyage of HMS Beagle reached South African shores, and remained at anchor off Simonstown for a period of 19 days, before heading north to the conclusion of her 5 year voyage that changed the world in terms of biological education, and in the ecclesiastical world, it turned it on its head. The outcome of the ‘Voyage of the Beagle’ was the ‘Origin of Species’, which were also the titles of two stellar books written by the onboard naturalist of that voyage, the great Charles Darwin.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Xeneta launches index-linked contract simulator to help shippers tackle freight volatility

Xeneta has unveiled a new index-linked contract (ILC) simulator, giving shippers a powerful tool to manage ocean freight volatility and cut through procurement inefficiencies. Now live within the Xeneta platform, the ILC Simulator enables users to compare traditional fixed-rate contracts with index-linked contracts, using either sample trade lane data or their own historical freight rates. The aim is to help shippers understand how indexation could stabilize rates and reduce the friction that has plagued contract negotiations in recent years.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

DNV outlines clear route to approval for ammonia and hydrogen-fuelled ships

With mounting pressure to cut carbon emissions across global shipping, attention is rapidly turning to ammonia and hydrogen as serious contenders in the race to zero-emission propulsion. But with no dedicated IMO regulations yet in place for these fuels, shipowners are left facing a complex and fragmented approval process. Classification society DNV has stepped in with a practical guide that aims to remove uncertainty from the equation.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

South Africa’s shift from coal to renewables: how it’s going

IMO tightens safety regulations for ammonium nitrate transport

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has taken a significant step in enhancing maritime safety with its latest amendment to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code. The regulatory change, which affects Clause 7.6.2.8.4, aims to improve the safe transportation of ammonium nitrate by sea, a compound widely used in fertilizers and explosives. Welcoming this decision, the global cargo handling association ICHCA International (ICHCA) emphasized the amendments importance in mitigating the risks associated with ammonium nitrate shipping.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Liner Shipping Pumps $1.1 Trillion into U.S. Economy, Supports 6.4 Million Jobs – New S&P Global Report

A newly released report from S&P Global has underscored the vast economic footprint of the liner shipping industry in the United States, revealing it supports more than 6.4 million American jobs and contributes over $1.1 trillion to the nation’s GDP. Published on 28 April by the World Shipping Council*, the report provides an in-depth, independent analysis of liner shipping’s economic impact across employment, trade, wages, sales, and tax revenues. Liner shipping handles 64.4% of U.S. seaborne trade by value, making it the backbone of ocean-based transport for both imports and exports. The industry transports nearly…..  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Trade priorities: Francophone countries reflect strategy

Representatives from French-speaking African and Indian Ocean WTO Members met for a regional consultation in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 28 to 30 April, with the aim of defining their trade priorities one year ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), which is also scheduled to be held in Yaoundé in March 2026. In the words of Cameroon’s Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, host of MC14: “MC14 must serve as a launch pad for a better future.”  Jointly organised by the WTO Secretariat and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) at the request of the French-speaking countries represented this consultation entitled ‘On the road to the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference’.   Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

WHARF TALK: HMS BEAGLE – 31st May 1836 to 18th June 1836

In the history of the opening up of the modern world, and the coming of the age of scientific exploration and discovery, Cape Town has been at the forefront of that greatest epoch of history. It was a time when the British Empire was expanding, and the Cape Colony was the naval staging post for the arrival, and departure, of those Royal Navy warships that had been set up to do just that, explore and discover the unknown world, or make more sense of the recently discovered world. It has to be said that the Royal Navy commanders that were at the forefront of this expansion of knowledge were great leaders, to a man, and numbered amongst their august ranks the likes of James Cook, Matthew Flinders, George Vancouver, William Bligh, Philip Carteret, Francis Beaufort, and Robert Fitzroy.   Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

DP World Sokhna posts record throughput in Q1 2025 as citrus exports surge

Ain Sokhna, Egypt – 30 April 2025: DP World Sokhna has reported its highest-ever quarterly container volume, handling 285,000 TEUs in the first quarter of 2025 — a 26% increase over target and the strongest performance since the terminal began operations nearly two decades ago. The record-breaking throughput reflects both rising trade activity and Sokhna’s growing role as a strategic logistics hub on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. A key contributor to the growth was a significant rise in refrigerated cargo, particularly citrus exports, as Egypt continues to build its reputation as one of the world’s leading citrus exporters.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

MSC Cruises South Africa celebrates the end of the summer 2024/2025 cruise season

MSC Cruises South Africa recently concluded its local summer cruise season, featuring MSC Musica. During the local season, which kicked off in November 2024, MSC Musica, the 3,200-passenger vessel, was a temporary home to over 90,000 passengers, and took guests to picturesque destinations in Mozambique, Reunion, Mauritius and Namibia. Ross Volk, Managing Director of MSC Cruises South Africa says the company is pleased with the performance of the vessel, which attracted a good number of passengers, and the company looks forward with anticipation to the upcoming 2025/2026 season when guests will have the pleasure of voyaging on MSC Opera.    Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Maersk launches first integrated logistics hub in Senegal to bolster West African supply chains

Dakar, Senegal: Global shipping and logistics giant A.P. Moller – Maersk has officially opened a cutting-edge 10,000 square metre logistics hub in Senegal, marking a major step in its strategy to build robust, integrated supply chain infrastructure across West Africa. Strategically positioned between the Port of Dakar and the city’s industrial zone — both within 10 km — the new facility is designed to serve as a key distribution node for cargo destined for Senegal and neighbouring West African countries. Its proximity to port and industrial activity offers Maersk customers faster turnaround times, lower transport costs, and improved connectivity to end markets.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

BAE Systems and Umoe Mandal sign agreement to deepen maritime collaboration

British defence giant BAE Systems and Norwegian shipbuilder Umoe Mandal have signed a new Collaboration Agreement aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation between the UK and Norway. The agreement was formalised during an industrial collaboration event held in Mandal, southern Norway, attended by government and defence sector representatives from both countries. The two companies already have a working relationship spanning over 25 years, with Umoe Mandal currently supplying major composite structures for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigate programme.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Inauguration of the African Space Agency

Africa’s space aspirations reached a significant milestone on 20 April with the inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA) at its headquarters in Egyptian Space City, Cairo. This event marked the culmination of efforts that began in January 2016, when the African Union Assembly adopted the African Space Policy and Strategy during its Twenty-sixth Ordinary Session, establishing the foundation for the continent’s coordinated approach to space activities.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

UNCTAD launches first-ever country-level data on seaborne trade

UNCTAD, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, has released new seaborne trade data that, for the first time, offers country-level statistics, providing a clearer view of global maritime flows. Maritime transport remains the backbone of world trade, carrying more than 80% of goods traded globally by volume. It connects production hubs with consumers across continents, facilitating industrialization, driving economic growth, and creating millions of jobs worldwide. Over decades, seaborne trade has been shaped by major transformations – from the rise of containerisation and the growing prominence of developing economies, to shifts in global production and consumption patterns. Today, new forces such as digitalisation, geopolitics, and the urgency for sustainability and climate resilience are once again reshaping the industry.  Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

• EARLIER NEWS CAN BE FOUND UNDER NEWS CATEGORIES…….

Africa Ports & Ships

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

Masthead:  PORT OF CAPE TOWN

Stay Well, Stay Safe, Stay Patient, don’t become one

Advertising:– request a Rate Card from terry@africaports.co.za

Join us on our journey through 2025

and stay up to date and informed with Africa Ports & Ships  – our 23rd year of reporting directly from Africa (est. 2002).  

SEND NEWS REPORTS AND PRESS RELEASES TO   info@africaports.co.za

Africa Ports & Ships

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

News continues below

FIRST VIEW: World’s largest battery-electric ship launched in Tasmania

Africa Ports & Ships

A bold chapter in sustainable maritime transport opened this week as Hobart-based Incat Tasmania launched the world’s largest battery-electric ship, marking a global milestone in clean energy shipbuilding.

Hundreds gathered at the Incat shipyard on the banks of the River Derwent to witness the launch of Hull 096, a 130-metre-long vessel constructed for South American ferry operator Buquebus.

When it enters service later this year on the busy River Plate route between Buenos Aires and Uruguay, the vessel will operate entirely on battery-electric power — a first for a ship of this scale.

Designed to carry up to 2,100 passengers and 225 vehicles, Hull 096 is not only the largest electric ship ever built, but also the largest electric vehicle of any kind on the planet.

“This is a historic day – not just for Incat, but for the future of maritime transport,” said Incat Chairman Robert Clifford. “This ship changes the game.”

The all-electric ferry is the ninth vessel Incat has built for Buquebus, reinforcing a long-standing partnership now culminating in this landmark achievement. The project also represents one of the most significant export items in Australia’s manufacturing history.

The ship’s propulsion system features eight electric waterjets powered by a massive 40MWh energy storage system — more than four times the capacity of any previous maritime battery installation.

Over 250 tonnes of batteries are integrated onboard, supplied by technology partner Wärtsilä.

“Ferries play a vital role in meeting the growing demand for environmentally sustainable transport options,” said Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine. “This launch sets a new benchmark in ship electrification.”

Inside, the ferry will feature a 2,300 square metre duty-free retail space — the largest onboard shopping area of any ferry in the world. Interior work, final fit-out, and sea trials are scheduled in the coming months ahead of delivery.

“We’re not just building a ship – we’re building the future,” said Incat CEO Stephen Casey. “This is a proud day for Tasmania and for Australian manufacturing.”

As global ports prepare for the next wave of green vessel arrivals, Hull 096 signals what’s possible in the shift toward net-zero shipping.

It also puts Tasmania — and Australia — firmly in the international spotlight for advanced shipbuilding and clean energy innovation.

Added 4 May 2025

Africa Ports & Ships

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

News continues below

Mega Cranes arrive at DCT Pier 2 ahead of peak season

Africa Ports & Ships

Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 is boosting its container-handling capacity with the arrival of four new ship-to-shore cranes, just in time for the busy year-end retail season.

Major Equipment Upgrade Underway

Components for the first two of the four cranes have now been delivered to DCT Pier 2, with commissioning scheduled for October and November 2025 respectively. Each crane costs R242 million and represents a significant technological leap forward for South Africa’s busiest container terminal.

“The South Quay has been under immense pressure due to the limitations of our aging crane fleet,” said Earle Peters, Managing Executive at Durban Terminals. “The arrival of these Liebherr cranes marks a major step forward in restoring reliability, boosting productivity, and ensuring we meet the evolving demands of global trade.”

Powerful New Capabilities

The cranes each feature a 65-ton twin-lift capacity, a seaside outreach of 65 metres, and a lifting height of 43 metres above the quayside—making them well-suited for handling larger container vessels.

Notably, they are built with an offset landside bogie design, allowing conversion from the current 28.5-metre rail gauge to a wider 30.48-metre gauge, enabling future relocation if needed.

Wider Terminal Upgrades

DCT Pier 2 has also expanded its support fleet with:

• • 20 straddle carriers
  • 40 haulers
  • 22 forklifts
  • 26 trailers
  • 2 reach stackers

These upgrades form part of a long-term equipment renewal programme aimed at improving terminal performance and meeting customer expectations.

💰 R1.5 Billion Invested in 18 Months

Over the past year and a half, approximately R1.5 billion has been spent on replacing aging infrastructure at the Durban terminal. This investment underscores Transnet’s goal of unlocking trade growth and enhancing South Africa’s global competitiveness.

Looking Ahead

The first two ship-to-shore cranes are expected to go live by October 2025, with the remaining two operational by November — perfectly timed for the annual spike in container throughput during the festive season.

Added 8 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

TNPA announces 5 preferred bidders for the Richards Bay Liquid Bulk terminals

Africa Ports & Ships

In an announcement on Thursday 8 May 2025, TNPA announced the names of five preferred bidders to develop, manage and operate the liquid bulk and green fuel terminals at the port of Richards Bay.

The terminals will be situated in the South Dunes Precinct of the port and will be managed and operated on a concession basis for a period of 25 years.

The development, worth approximately R17 billion, is an integral part of expanding the port’s liquid bulk handling capacity while advancing South Africa’s energy transition.

The selection of five preferred bidders follows a Request for Proposals (RFP) issued on 6 December 2023 under the Section 56 process of the National Ports Act (No. 12 of 2005).

The successful preferred bidders are:

1. KZN Oils (Pty) Ltd
2. Linsen Nambi (Pty) Ltd
3. Protank (Pty) Ltd
4. Bidvest/Mnambithi Consortium
5. KNGM Engineering (Pty) Ltd

The project will entail funding, design, development, construction, operation, maintenance and transfer of the liquid bulk terminals for a 25-year concession period.

The sites will be designed to handle various petrochemical products that are critical for the economy of the country, including but not limited to diesel, petroleum, jet fuel, marine fuels, biofuel, hydrogen, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), pure butane, pure propane, base oils and bitumen.

This forms part of TNPA’s masterplan for its KwaZulu-Natal ports, aligned with the broader Transnet Segment Strategy.

“The award of preferred bidders for the South Dunes Precinct development is a major milestone in strengthening the Port of Richards Bay’s position as a premier liquid bulk and green fuel hub,” said Richards Bay Port Manager, Captain Dennis Mqadi.

“By securing long-term investment in critical infrastructure, we
are ensuring the port remains globally competitive while contributing to South Africa’s energy security objectives.”

Negotiations to conclude the Terminal Operator Agreements will now commence accordingly.

Added 8 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

WHARF TALK: Japanese cruise ship – ASUKA III

Pictures by ‘Dockrat’ 
Story by Jay Gates

It is a set of well-known statistics that Japan is a very wealthy nation, a member of the G7, with its economy being ranked as the third largest in the world, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$4.21 trillion (ZAR76.92 trillion), which is more than ten times the South Africa GDP of US$380.7 billion (ZAR6.96 trillion). It has been a major economic power for a number of decades, and has a population of over 123 million citizens, who have a GDP per capita spending power of US$33,767 (ZAR616,960) each.

That large GDP includes an industrial base that includes the third largest ship building industry in the world, one which produces almost every type of vessel that the casual maritime observer could think of. Strangely, of all the vessels that they build, one type is pretty much missing, with only the odd one being built, mainly for foreign owners. That vessel is the passenger cruise liner. One would think that a wealthy, and ageing, population of over 123 million folk would make Japan a hotspot for cruises, would also make for a large domestic Japanese cruise industry, and thus a lucrative market for Japanese shipbuilders. But it is not.

Despite everything that Japan should have in regards to the provisions of a cruise industry for its own population, there are only two domestic Japanese shipping company that each operates a single passenger liner capable of deepsea world cruising. Each company’s current, active, passenger liner, was built in Japan as far back as 1990, over 35 years ago. With that in mind, one of the owners decided to go for fleet development, and opt for a newbuild. Strangely they opted for that new passenger cruise liner to be built not in Japan, but instead in Germany.

On 6th May, at 07:00 in the morning, the passenger cruise liner ‘Asuka III’ (IMO 9936355) arrived off Cape Town, from Tenerife in the Canary Islands. She entered Cape Town harbour, proceeding into the Duncan Dock, and was placed alongside the Passenger Cruise Terminal at E berth. Unlike most of the passenger liners before her, who have arrived for a day’s sightseeing by a horde of onboard passengers, ‘Asuka III’ was carrying no passengers. Her call was purely logistical, for a bunker uplift, a stores pickup, and an onload of fresh provisions. The quayside of the passenger terminal was eerily quiet with just a single, unadorned, gangway and no activity.

The reason for her arrival sans passengers is that ‘Asuka III’ is brand spanking new, and heading home on her maiden positioning voyage, directly from the shipyard. She was ordered back in March 2021, with construction starting in September 2023, and being floated out of her undercover construction hall in January 2025. She was built by Meyer Werft GmbH, at Papenburg in Germany, and handed over to her new owners in April 2025, sailing on 18th April for Tenerife. She is 230 metres in length, with a gross registered tonnage of 52,265 tons.

For Meyer Werft GmbH, ‘Asuka III’ was the first passenger cruise liner order that they had received since the Covid Pandemic erupted, and as a result of the restrictions produced by the Covid crisis, ‘Asuka III’ was also the first vessel in the 226 year history of the shipyard in which all design and contract documents were created, negotiated, and approved both online, and via video conference calls only, with no face to face meetings held of any kind between parties.

She is a diesel electric vessel, with power for propulsion provided by four Wärtsilä W8V31DF generators, producing 5,200 kW each, where DF indicates ‘dual fuel’, and an ability to run on both marine diesel as well as liquid natural gas (LNG), as well as domestic power available from two Wärtsilä 8V31 standard diesel generators, providing 4,800 kW each. Power for propulsion is transferred to two Siemens SISHIP eSiPODs, each producing 7,500 kW, to give ‘Asuka III’ a service speed of 22 knots.

Emergency power is provided by a single Mitsubishi S12R-M(P)TA emergency generator producing 1,190 kW. Steam, and domestic heat, is provided by two Alfa Laval Aalborg XWi exhaust gas boilers, and a single Alfa Laval Aalborg CHB-6000 oil fired boiler. For added manoeuvrability ‘Asuka III’ is fitted with two bow Kongsberg TTC 83 transverse thrusters, providing 2,220 kW each.

Costing US$625 million (ZAR11.41 billion) to build, ‘Asuka III’ has 13 decks, of which 9 of them are for passenger use, and 5 of them are set aside for cabins. There a total of 385 cabins, all of which are outside cabins, with balconies. They vary in size from the largest cabin available, which is a Penthouse Suite with a floor area of 114 m2, down to the smallest cabin available, which is a single berth cabin with a floor area of just 19 m2. She can carry 744 passengers with double occupancy, and a maximum of 770 passengers, who are looked after by a crew of 470.

Her passenger facilities include six restaurants, five bars, three lounges, two cafés, Japanese tearoom, smoking lounge, library, boutiques, shops including a florist, theatre, casino, gaming arcade, wellness studio, separate men’s and women’s spa, beauty salon, treatment rooms, gymnasium, two swimming pools, two whirlpool jacuzzis, football court, volleyball court, basketball court, and golf simulator.

Interestingly, from a cultural perspective, and knowing the formality of Japanese society, after 10pm in the late evening, all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult in any of the ‘Asuka III’ passenger facilities. Additionally, the casino is not available to children under the age of 18 at any time, the wellness studio is not available to children under the age of 16 at any time, the smoking lounge is not available to anyone under the age of 20 at any time, and two of the restaurants are not available to children under the age of 13 at any time.

Owned by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Group), of Tokyo in Japan, which was founded back in 1885, ‘Asuka III’ is operated by NYK Cruises Co. Ltd., of Yokohama in Japan, which was founded in 1989, and she is managed by NYK Line, also of Tokyo. The introduction into service of ‘Asuka III’ might not be the end of the fleet development of NYK Cruises Co. Ltd., as there is an option for a sistership to be built at Meyer Werft GmbH.

The only other passenger vessel of NYK Cruises Co. Ltd., which is still in service, is named ‘Asuka II’, and the first vessel in the fleet was named ‘Asuka’ and is also still in service as ‘Amadea’. Of interest to the casual maritime observer is that all three of the Asuka vessels have called at Cape Town over the period of the last month. On 7th April, ‘Amadea’ (Asuka) called heading north, whilst on a round the world cruise, to be followed on 24th April by ‘Asuka II’, also heading north on a round the world cruise.

Of the big three shipping companies in Japan, the cruise industry was started back in 1962 by Mitsui OSK Line (MOL) with the introduction of ‘Sakura Maru’, which conducted cruises mainly around Southeast Asia for a purely Japanese clientele until 1971 when she was sold on. Today, MOL operates the 1990 built ‘Nippon Maru’, and in September 2024 took ownership of the Seabourn Cruises ‘Seabourn Odyssey’, which entered service in December 2024 as ‘Mitsui Ocean Fuji’. MOL have also announced they intend to build two new passenger liners in 2027.

The stay in Cape Town by ‘Asuka III’ was not expected to be long, as she had no passengers to entertain, and after a short ten hour stay alongside, where the Cape Town bunker tanker ‘Southern Valour’ had provided her with her marine diesel bunkers, she was ready to sail. At 17:00 in the late afternoon she sailed from Cape Town, with her AIS indicating that she was now bound for Port Louis in Mauritius, and a further bunker call en route back to Japan.

On arrival in Japan, NYK Cruises Co. Ltd., have announced her first cruise will take place on 20th July, where she will begin a series of mainly domestic Japanese home waters cruises through to the end of January 2026. Her cruise itinerary has her calling at a total of 30 Japanese ports, over a series of 40 cruises, of which only 2 of them will depart Japanese waters. One cruise will make a single call at Busan in South Korea, and one other cruise will have ‘Asuka III’ wandering further afield, with island calls at both Guam, and Saipan, in the South Pacific Ocean.

The future plans announced by NYK Cruises Co. Ltd., is that after her series of local cruises around Japan, that ‘Asuka III’ will undertake a schedule of regional cruises in 2026, and a round the world cruise, with ‘Asuka II’ taking over the series of domestic waters cruises in Japanese waters. As such, it is highly likely that ‘Asuka III’ will return to South African waters, this time with a full load of Japanese passengers, and with any luck Durban, and other ports along the South African coast, will be on her itinerary, as well as another call at Cape Town.

Added 8 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

Red Sea ceasefire offers diplomatic hope — but maritime risk remains high, says Dryad Global

Africa Ports & Ships
A newly announced ceasefire in the Red Sea region marks a step forward in diplomacy, but shipping risk remains elevated, warns maritime intelligence firm Dryad Global.

Background: Ceasefire Terms in Brief

On 6 May, the U.S. confirmed a halt to its Yemen airstrikes—operations that began in mid-March — following an Oman-brokered ceasefire proposal with Yemen’s Houthi movement. The agreement aims to suspend hostilities between U.S. forces and the Houthis, particularly around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Continued Threat to Shipping

Although there have been no direct attacks on commercial vessels in the region since late 2024, the Joint War Committee in London has maintained its high-risk classification for these waters. Dryad Global warns that the Houthis remain unpredictable and have previously targeted ships linked to countries far outside the immediate conflict, including Russia and China.

Regional Complications and Geopolitical Shifts

According to reports, the ceasefire excludes the Houthis’ conflict with Israel. Recent Israeli airstrikes on Sana’a Airport, Hodeidah Port, and other sites in Yemen point to ongoing regional volatility. Meanwhile, Iran is said to be withdrawing personnel from Houthi-held areas, possibly to gain leverage ahead of renewed nuclear talks with the U.S.

Saudi Arabia is also urging de-escalation, particularly ahead of a scheduled visit by former President Trump in June.

“We are a long way from declaring a return to safe and stable shipping conditions in the region.”
— Dryad Global spokesperson

⚠️ Advisory

Dryad Global cautions that the Red Sea remains an active threat zone with a high degree of unpredictability. Vessels, particularly those with perceived links to Israel or its allies, should transit the area with caution and seek expert risk assessments before passage.

Further Information

Dryad Global continues to monitor the situation via its Secure Voyager Hub, delivering live intelligence and risk assessments for operators, insurers, and shipping companies navigating complex environments.

Added 8 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

Xeneta suggests a return of container ships to the Red Sea following the US-Houthi ceasefire announcement, could cause global collapse in freight rates

Africa Ports & Ships

Potential return of container ships to Red Sea following US-Houthi ceasefire announcement could cause global collapse in freight rates, according to Xeneta data.

The prospect of a largescale return of container ships to the Red Sea following the announcement of a ceasefire between the US and Houthi militia in Yemen would flood the market with shipping capacity and cause a global collapse in freight rates – but the situation remains far from certain.

Data released by Xeneta – the ocean and air freight intelligence platform – shows global TEU-mile demand would decrease 6% if container ships begin sailing through the Red Sea and Suez Canal again instead of diverting around the Cape of Good Hope.

TEU-mile demand factors the distance each 20ft equivalent container (TEU) is transported globally as well as the number transported. The 6% is based on global container shipping demand growth of 1% for full year 2025 and a largescale return of container ships to the Red Sea in H2.

Peter Sand, Xeneta Chief Analyst, said that of all the geo-political disruptions impacting ocean container shipping in 2025, conflict in the Red Sea continues to cast the longest shadow.

“So any meaningful return to the region would have massive consequences,” Sand said.

“Container ships returning to the Red Sea would flood the market with capacity with the inevitable outcome of collapsing freight rates. If we also see a continued slowdown in imports into the US due to tariffs, then the collapse will be even harder and even more dramatic.”

Impact on freight rates

Average spot rates from the Far East to North Europe and Mediterranean are USD 2,100 per FEU (40ft container) and USD 3,125 per FEU respectively. This is an increase of 39% and 68% compared to pre-Red Sea Crisis levels on 1 December 2023.

From the Far East to US East Coast and US West Coast, spot rates stand at USD 3715 per FEU and USD 2,620 per FEU respectively. This is an increase of 49% and 59% compared to pre-Red Sea Crisis.

Sand said: “Carriers have capacity management strategies to keep rates elevated, such as blanking sailings when demand falls. But the amount of capacity that will flood the market following a return to the Red Sea, combined with a downturn in global container demand due to tariffs and high deliveries of new vessels, would require capacity management at an altogether different order of magnitude – or another major black swan event – to stop freight rates falling to a level that puts carriers in a loss-making position.”

A sense of reality is required

While Sand believes spot rates could collapse back to pre-Red Sea Crisis levels, he has warned the situation remains volatile and requires a sense of reality on the complexity involved in container ships returning to the Suez Canal.

“The announced ceasefire plan between Israel and Hamas in February raised restrained hopes of a return of container shipping to the Red Sea but data shows no increase in transits through Bab el-Mandeb Strait or the Suez Canal during 2025,” he said.

“Carriers need assurances over long term safety of their crew and ships, let alone customers’ cargo. Perhaps even more importantly, so do insurance companies.

“We also know Houthi militia will continue to attack some ships because they stated very clearly the ceasefire agreement is with the US and does not include Israel.

“Introducing diversions around the Cape of Good Hope in early 2024 caused massive disruption to global maritime supply chains. Carriers and shippers do not want to go through the disruption of restoring schedules to the Suez Canal only for the situation to deteriorate – sending them back to square one and having to re-introduce diversions around the Cape of Good Hope.”

Added 8 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

IMO and new sulphur emission limits: Mediterranean

Edited by Paul Ridgway 
Africa Ports & Ships
London

The Mediterranean Sea officially became an Emission Control Area (Med SOx ECA) under MARPOL Annex VI on 1 May 2025.

The sulphur content in fuel oil for ships operating in the area is now limited to 0.1%, significantly reducing air pollution and delivering major benefits to both human health and the marine environment. This was reported by IMO on 1 May 2025.

Strict mandatory measures

Ships operating in Emission Control Areas for Sulphur Oxides and Particulate Matter, such as the Mediterranean Sea, are now subject to strict mandatory measures to prevent, reduce, and control air pollution.

This new ECA must comply with stricter sulphur content limits than those set by the global standard (0.10% mass by mass (m/m), compared with 0.50% m/m allowed outside SOx ECAs).

Reducing haze

Decreasing SOx emissions from shipping improves human health by lowering rates of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, strokes, and childhood asthma.
|

The environment also benefits significantly, as reduced acidification helps protect crops, forests, and aquatic species. Finally, this measure is expected to reduce haze caused by ships, increasing visibility and decreasing the risk of maritime accidents.

20% of seaborne trade is thro’ Med

The Mediterranean Sea is home to some of the busiest maritime routes in the world, supporting 20% of seaborne trade. It is estimated that more than 17% of worldwide cruises and 24% of the world fleet navigate the Mediterranean Sea.

The Med SOx ECA is the fifth designated Emission Control Area under MARPOL Annex VI, alongside the Baltic Sea area; the North Sea area; the North American area (covering designated coastal areas off the United States and Canada); and the United States Caribbean Sea ECA (around Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands).

In 2024, IMO designated two further ECAs: the Canadian Arctic and the Norwegian Sea. In April 2025, MEPC 83 approved a proposal to designate the North-East Atlantic as an Emission Control Area.

On 1 January 2020, new limits on sulphur content in fuel oil led to a 70% reduction in total sulphur oxide emissions from shipping by setting a maximum sulphur content of 0.5% outside the emission control areas.

* Readers are reminded that the Mediterranean includes the entire North African coastal and inland region

Added 8 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

AGL Terminals launches operations at Cape Town’s A-Berth, Duncan Docks

Africa Ports & Ships

Cape Town – A new chapter in South Africa’s port sector has begun with AGL Terminals, a subsidiary of Africa Global Logistics (AGL), officially launching operations at A-Berth in the Port of Cape Town’s Duncan Docks.

This follows the conclusion of a lease agreement with Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), effective from 1 April 2025.

The move is being hailed as a significant milestone in private-sector participation in South African port operations, reinforcing TNPA’s goal of improving port efficiency through strategic partnerships.

AGL, a division of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), in collaboration with local partner BALSA, has assumed full operational management of A-Berth, positioning the facility as a key node in Cape Town’s maritime gateway.

Investment in Technology and Talent

AGL has committed to substantial investments in modernising A-Berth’s operations. This includes the introduction of advanced cargo handling equipment, digital systems to streamline logistics, and a robust training programme aimed at upskilling local personnel.

“This lease agreement marks a significant step in our commitment to enhancing port infrastructure and efficiency in South Africa,” said Olivier De Noray, CEO of AGL Ports & Terminals.

“We are combining deep knowledge of African logistics with global best practices to deliver seamless and high-performing port operations.”

Strengthening Cape Town’s Role in Global Trade

By taking over the management of A-Berth, AGL aims to bolster Cape Town’s standing as a regional trade hub. The terminal is expected to handle a variety of cargo types and improve turnaround times, thanks in part to a close collaboration with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), who will act as the waterside operator.

TPT’s operational expertise is expected to complement AGL’s strategic upgrades, enabling smoother ship-to-shore handling and improved service delivery across the board.

Model for Future Partnerships

The partnership between AGL and TNPA exemplifies the government’s broader aim to attract private-sector investment into South Africa’s port infrastructure.

With TNPA actively supporting the venture, both parties view the A-Berth operation as a potential model for future public-private collaboration across the country’s port system.

A Transnet spokesperson said this was not just about one berth, but was about about demonstrating how smart partnerships can deliver real operational improvements and long-term economic benefits.

About AGL Terminals

AGL Terminals is part of the wider Africa Global Logistics group, which operates 18 container terminals, 7 RoRo/ConRo facilities, and 66 dry ports across the continent.

The launch of A-Berth operations in Cape Town marks AGL’s first foray into South Africa’s terminal landscape, with further expansion anticipated as part of its long-term growth strategy.

Added 7 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

Port Sudan under siege: Drone strikes disrupt key maritime hub

Africa Ports & Ships

Port Sudan, Sudan – In a significant escalation of Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict, the strategic Red Sea port city of Port Sudan has come under sustained drone attacks, marking a dramatic shift in the two-year war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Beginning on 4 May 2025, the RSF launched a series of drone strikes targeting critical infrastructure in Port Sudan, including the Osman Digna airbase, fuel depots, the city’s main container terminal, and the international airport.

These attacks have resulted in widespread fires, power outages, and the suspension of humanitarian aid flights, severely impacting the city’s role as a vital logistics and relief hub.

Port Sudan, previously considered a safe haven and the de facto administrative capital following the RSF’s takeover of Khartoum in April 2023, had largely been spared from direct conflict.

The recent assaults, however, have disrupted this relative stability, threatening the delivery of essential aid to millions of internally displaced persons and exacerbating the country’s humanitarian crisis.

In response to the attacks, the Sudanese government has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of supporting the RSF, leading to the severance of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The UAE has denied these allegations. International actors, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Nations, have expressed concern over the escalating violence and its implications for regional stability.

The RSF has not officially claimed responsibility for the drone strikes. However, the use of such tactics indicates a significant evolution in the group’s operational capabilities and a potential shift in the conflict’s dynamics.

As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, with the hope that renewed diplomatic efforts may lead to a cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace in the region.

For further updates on this developing story, stay connected to Africa PORTS & SHIPS.

Added 7 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

Flag State implementation: Africa

Edited by Paul Ridgway 
Africa Ports & Ships
London

A regional workshop led by IMO in Mombasa has helped maritime professionals in Eastern and Southern Africa enhance their understanding of flag States’ obligations under IMO conventions, and how to authorise Recognized Organizations to ensure these obligations are met.

The Regional Workshop on Flag State Implementation (FSI) and the Authorization of Recognized Organizations held from 7-11 April brought together thirty-nine participants from seventeen countries to promote effective implementation of IMO regulations, and support safe, secure and more environmentally sustainable shipping.

Responsibilities, survey and certification

Hosted by the Kenya Maritime Authority and organized in collaboration with IMO under its Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP), the training focused on flag States’ responsibilities, survey and certification under IMO instruments and how to effectively authorize and oversee Recognized Organizations (ROs).

Flag States play a vital role in ensuring that ships under their jurisdiction comply with international maritime safety, security and environmental standards. ROs working on behalf of flag States are assessed, recognized and authorized under the IMO’s Code for Recognized Organizations (RO Code), which sets minimum criteria for ROs and provides guidelines for oversight by flag States.

Jurisdiction, enforcement, survey and more

Key themes covered during the training included flag State jurisdiction and enforcement, survey and certification, communication of information, and domestic ferry safety. Participants explored strategies for monitoring compliance, managing risks, while enhancing their national maritime frameworks in line with international best practices.

Half of the participants were women, reflecting IMO’s commitment to promoting an inclusive maritime governance. Participants are expected to apply the knowledge gained during the workshop to strengthen flag State performance, particularly in the areas of compliance, survey and certification and applying the RO Code.

Participation

Participating States included: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Added 7 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

Three vessels later: Damen Shipyards Cape Town ready, willing and able to do more for SA Navy

by defenceWeb

The late April delivery of the third multi-mission inshore patrol vessel (MMIPV) for the SA Navy (SAN) was not only the culmination of a strategic national initiative, it advanced local shipbuilding capabilities and is a driver for industrial development, the Cape Town shipyard responsible for building all three platforms has said.

The construction and timeous handover of SAS King Sekhukhune I (P1571), SAS King Shaka Zulu (P1572) and, on 25 April, Adam Kok III (P1573) by Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) was described as a commitment by company director Sefale Montsi.

“The delivery of P1573 represents far more than delivery of a vessel – it marks fulfilment of a promise.

“From the outset, our commitment was clear: to support the South African Navy, empower the local shipbuilding industry, and enhance maritime security. With this delivery, we are proud to have honoured that commitment,” Montsi is quoted as saying in a company statement marking delivery of MMIPV number three to Naval Base (NB) Durban, home port for the SAN patrol squadron.

The delivery of P1573 followed a formal handover in Simon’s Town in March, where the vessel passed stringent technical and quality inspections. The project was driven by close collaboration between DSCT, the SAN and Armscor, aligning with the Department of Defence (DoD) strategy to modernise and expand fleet capabilities.

“This project has exemplified the power of collaboration – within DSCT, across our supplier base, and most importantly, with our partners in the Navy and Armscor. Everyone involved has reason to be proud,” the statement has Montsi saying.

SAS Adam Kok III will become the third purpose-built platform to patrol and safeguard South Africa’s 2,700 mile coastline. DSCT has it the just short of 2,350 nautical mile coastline carries more than 90% of the country’s trade by volume as well as bordering the “increasingly critical Cape sea route”.

Designed for endurance, versatility, and operational excellence, the MMIPVs are built to Damen’s patented Axe Bow design for superior seakeeping. Each vessel is armed with a 20mm Super Sea Rogue gun, equipped with advanced FORT (Frequency Modulated Optical Radar Tracker) surveillance technology as well as 7 m and 7.5 metre interceptor boats for rapid deployment.

“The vessels are built for performance and versatility. Whether it’s needed for border protection, search and rescue, diving operations or training missions, they significantly expand the Navy’s operational reach,” according to Montsi.

Turning to the impact of the three-ship build under Project Biro in boosting South African shipbuilding and industrialisation, DSCT has it over a thousand direct and four thousand indirect jobs were created during building. A further boost to South Africa’s maritime value chain came in partnering with 848 local vendors. This, the shipyard said, transferred critical shipbuilding knowledge to “local hands”.

A key pillar of the project was DSCT’s on-site Skills Development Centre, where over 50 apprentices were trained in essential trades such as welding, outfitting, electrical systems, pipe-fitting, and logistics.

“We haven’t just built ships, but skills, livelihoods and a foundation for a globally competitive shipbuilding sector. That’s the enduring legacy of Project Biro,” according to Montsi.

A defining feature of Project Biro was its alignment with South Africa’s national and defence industrial participation frameworks. From the outset, DSCT embedded enterprise development, skills transfer and local sourcing into the programme, demonstrating advanced shipbuilding and inclusive economic growth can be achieved in tandem. As a result, the project enhanced local manufacturing capacity and contributed to embedding sovereign industrial capabilities in what is increasingly termed “the national defence ecosystem”.

Through Project Biro involvement several South African entities gained access to Damen’s global supply chain, leading to follow-on export contracts and participation in international projects.

“This global exposure opened doors for sustained growth beyond South Africa’s borders. We are proud to have significantly exceeded our industrial participation objectives, reflecting a genuine commitment to long term impact rather than compliance alone. As part of Damen’s broader philosophy, this approach continues to serve as a catalyst for sustainable economic empowerment and resilience in the South African maritime industry,” according to DSCT Sales Director Christopher Huvers.

DSCT has committee to ongoing logistic and technical support for all three platforms. This includes training, spare parts and maintenance assistance to ensure operational readiness.

With an SAN track record of five vessels – the three MMIPVs and two harbour tugs (Project Canter) – as well as regional defence programmes DSCT stands ready to support future naval requirements.

DSCT Managing Director Jos Govaarts has the final say: “We’re ready to build more ships for South Africa. We have the infrastructure, the skilled workforce and a proven track record that highlights the capabilities of our local shipbuilding industry.

“Project Biro has shown that South Africa can deliver cutting edge naval vessels that meet international standards, while uplifting local communities and driving industrial growth. We stand ready to support the Navy’s evolving needs and help shape the future of maritime defence.”

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

Added 6 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

WHARF TALK: Russian four masted barque – KRUZENSHTERN

Pictures as indicated 
Story by Jay Gates

Two things that are often stated are the common sayings that, firstly ‘history is written by the victor’ and, that secondly, ‘to the victor goes the spoils’. It is also a well-known diplomatic fact that if you decide to start a war, and you then go on to lose it, that the losing side has to pay what are referred to as ‘reparations’ to the winning side. This is something that is laid out in international law, namely Article III of the Hague Convention of 1907. We shall see why these sayings, and this particular piece of international law, are connected to the vessel in focus.

Once more the analogy of the London Bus scenario has also come to pass. For those who are unaware of the analogy, or who have forgotten what it means, it is that you can wait a long time for a London Bus to come along, and then two will arrive together at the same time. This happens quite frequently in the maritime world of the South African casual maritime observer.

However, this time the London Bus analogy referred to the beauty of the classic tall ships, the kind of vessels that do not call that often in local waters. On 27th April, after a month in port, the 1917 built three-masted topsail schooner ‘Oosterschelde’ sailed from Cape Town. As magnificent as she was, nobody would expect that less than 48 hours after she sailed, that another magnificent classic tall ship would arrive, albeit for a shorter stay.

On 29th April, at 18:00 in the early evening, the four-masted barque ‘Kruzenshtern’ (IMO 6822979) arrived off Cape Town, from Agadir in Morocco. She entered Cape Town harbour, proceeding into the Duncan Dock, and was placed alongside the Passenger Cruise Terminal at E berth. Such a berth is indicative that she was an important visitor, although a berth in the V&A would have been so much better.

Her history is of great interest to the casual maritime observer. She was built in 1926 by Johan C. Tecklenborg Schiffswerft, of Geestemünde in Germany. She is 115 metres in length, with a beam of 14 metres, and a height of 52 metres. Built with a gross registered tonnage of 3,141 tons, ‘Kruzenshtern’ was constructed as a four masted barque.

For those who are not entirely clear what a barque is, it is a sailing vessel whose masts are square rigged with yardarms, similar to that of a clipper ship, except for her mizzen (rearmost) mast, which is fore and aft rigged with no yardarms, similar to that of a schooner. So ‘Kruzenshtern’ has three forward square rigged masts, and one aft fore and aft rigged mast.

She was built to the order of the German shipping company of F. Laeisz, of Hamburg, as a cargo carrying vessel, mainly for the nitrate trades from Chile, and the wheat trade from Australia. Launched as ‘Padua’, she was the last sailing ship built for her owners, and collectively she was one of what were known as the ‘Flying P Liners’, so named as her fleet mates all had names beginning with the letter ‘P’, of which ‘Peking’, ‘Passat’, and ‘Pommern’ are still in existence.

From her entry into service, until the Second World War, she had completed no less than 17 voyages to both Chile and Australia, and had rounded Cape Horn no less than 28 times. Although she survived the war, in 1946 she was claimed as a war reparation by the Soviet Union, and transferred to them, being renamed ‘Kruzenshtern’, and made a unit of the Soviet Navy to be utilised as a sail training vessel for naval cadets.

She remained with the Soviet Navy until 1991. In January 1981 she was transferred to the Soviet Merchant Fleet, under the ownership of the Estonian Fisheries Industry, based at Tallinn. With the breakup of the Soviet Union, and the independence of Estonia, she was again transferred, this time to the Russian Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad, and in 1991 she became part of the State Baltic Academy of the Fisheries, with her home port also being the city of Kaliningrad, and to continue as a sail training ship for fishing industry officer cadets.

As one would expect from a four masted barque, ‘Kruzenshtern’ can raise a massive sail plan of 3,655 m2. To do this she carries a crew of 61, and as many as 179 cadets. With a full spread of sail, and under the right conditions she is able to produce a service speed of up to 17.3 knots, and when needed she is fitted with two MAN-B&W 8L70ME-C eight cylinder, two stroke, main engines providing 2,000 bhp (1,492 kW) each, which give her a speed of 15.2 knots.

Her voyage to Cape Town is part of what is called the ‘Grand African Expedition’, which is a two year programme, not entirely for sail training purposes, but as one might expect from the Russian Government, for geopolitical purposes. The expedition is expected to assess the state of ocean fisheries resources in the exclusive economic zones of Africa. The mission also aims to create new opportunities for the development of the Russian fishing industry, expand export markets, and strengthen Russia’s geopolitical position on the African continent.

The expedition will provide valuable scientific data on Africa’s biological resources and new opportunities for Russia’s fishing industry to develop, as it expands export markets and strengthens Russia’s geopolitical position in Africa. The mission is an important step towards Russia’s strategic goal to strengthen international cooperation and gain access to promising new markets, stated the Head of the Russian Federal Agency for Fisheries, under whose control the ‘Grand African Expedition’ was planned.

The current voyage is also being used to celebrate the 80th anniversary of what the Russians call ‘Victory in the Great Patriotic War’, and what in the west is merely celebrated on 8th May as ‘VE Day’. For this reason, whilst alongside in Cape Town, ‘Kruzenshtern’ flew a Soviet style banner depicting a Female Warrior declaring ‘80 Pobedy (Years)’.

For the nomenclature aficionado ‘Kruzenshtern’ is named after Admiral Adam Johann von Krusenstern (1770-1846), whose name has been Russified to Ivan Fyodorovich Kruzenshtern. He was from a Baltic German family, from what is now Estonia, who served in the Imperial Russian Navy. Between 1803 and 1806, in the Russian vessel ‘Nadezhda’, and accompanied by the ‘Neva’, he completed the first ever Russian circumnavigation of the globe. On this voyage he did not call into Cape Town but instead, on rounding the Cape of Good Hope, he pressed on to St. Helena heading for home in 1806.

Prior to this voyage, he had spent six years with the Royal Navy to gain deepsea experience, between 1793 and 1799. During that time he got to experience Cape Town, as in March 1798 he arrived in Table Bay onboard the 64 Gun, 3rd Rate, ‘HMS Raisonable’, which had arrived to join the British Cape of Good Hope Naval Squadron. He then transferred to the 32 gun, Frigate, ‘HMS Oiseau’, which was sailing for British India. He returned to Cape Town in 1799, on a British East Indiaman, before returning to Russia.

In the present day, this was not the first call of ‘Kruzenshtern’ to South African waters, as between 1995 and 1996 she embarked on a 225 day, Round the World, voyage which covered almost 43,000 nautical miles. The voyage was her first circumnavigation as ‘Kruzenshtern’, and was also to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Russian Navy, the 225th birthday of her namesake, Admiral Ivan Kruzenshtern, and also the 190th anniversary of the first Russian round-the-world voyage, commanded by Admiral Kruzenshtern.

The voyage routing partly followed that of Admiral Kruzenshtern’s voyage between 1803 and 1806, and that of the Padua’s maiden voyage, which took place between 1926 and 1927. On this voyage of circumnavigation, in 1996, ‘Kruzenshtern’ called into Durban and Cape Town for a stay of a few days at each.

On her current African voyage to Cape Town, and onwards, included her current cadet complement to be 140 strong, plus she carried 13 naval cadets from Cuba, Morocco, Egypt, and Kazakhstan. This element of the ‘Grand African Expedition’ is for a duration of four months. Her stay in Cape Town was originally scheduled for just one day, but she remained alongside for almost three days.

At 16:00 in the afternoon of 1st May, itself a Public Holiday of note worldwide, and especially so in both Russia and South Africa, ‘Kruzenshtern’ sailed from Cape Town, now with her AIS displaying that she was bound for Port Louis in Mauritius, with an ETA of 14th May. Once more, observant Capetonians, and especially local casual maritime observers, were able to witness something special, that of a classic tall ship alongside in Cape Town, and sailing out in Table Bay.

Added 6 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

Middle East & North Africa (MENA) maritime administrators complete 5-day 

Edited by Paul Ridgway 
Africa Ports & Ships
London

At the end of April IMO reported that senior maritime administrators from nine countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region completed a five-day workshop in preparation for their respective audits under the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS).

Requirement for mandatory audit

Under IMSAS, all Member States are required to undergo a mandatory audit within a seven-year audit cycle, to assess their performance in implementing applicable IMO instruments.

Hosted by UAE

The workshop was jointly organized in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 21-25 April by IMO and the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure of the UAE, as the host country.

Capacity strengthening

Twenty participants received training on how to strengthen their maritime administrations’ capacity to implement and enforce mandatory IMO instruments as well as the IMO Instruments Implementation Code
(III Code).

Guidance

Participants discussed specific guidance for the following:

• Preparation and conduct of audits under IMSAS.

• Development of corrective action plans (CAP) to address findings.

• Action to be taken by a Member State to identify and eliminate the root causes of any finding or observation from the audit, in order to prevent their recurrence were provided.

Since the IMSAS was made mandatory in January 2016, 144 mandatory audits under IMSAS have been conducted, with up to twenty-five Member States being audited annually.

With the first audit cycle due to be completed at the end of 2025, participants were briefed on the latest developments related to the Scheme.

Participation

Countries that participated in the workshop included: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.

Added 6 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

London’s V-E Day commemoration

Edited by Paul Ridgway 
Africa Ports & Ships
London

A major military parade and flypast in central London was held today, 5 May, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe – Victory in Europe Day.

The parade, which moved off at 12:00, comprised in the region of 1,300 members of the Armed Forces from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.

Contingents also represented the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the Merchant Navy, and Commonwealth and Allied forces. Representative flags of the Commonwealth Member States were carried by troops. Twenty-three aircraft formed a Royal Air Force flypast.

Assembled in Parliament Square troops moved off, mounted and on foot, up Whitehall, through Admiralty Arch and down the Mall towards Buckingham Palace where the salute was taken by HM The King as Commander-in-Chief at 12:20 with proceedings completed at 13:00 and the flypast at 13:45.

Second World War veterans joined guests at the Queen Victoria Memorial opposite the Palace to watch the procession. A veteran’s tea party was held in the afternoon in Buckingham Palace gardens and a national service of commemoration will be held in Westminster Abbey on 8 May.

Seven military bands were involved in the procession, including the Band of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and that of the Royal Marines.

The Royal Air Force flypast included a Second World War-era Lancaster from The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and modern aircraft which have recently served on operations protecting the UK around the world.

 

The flypast culminated in a spectacular display by The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team – The Red Arrows – complete with their iconic red, white and blue smoke.

The Armed Forces also took leading roles in VE Day 80 commemorations in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff.

Added 5 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

Go-ahead given to double final section of Maputo-Ressano Garcia railway

Africa Ports & Ships

Perhaps in parallel with the news of DP World’s $165 million expansion of Maputo Container Terminal (see story immediately below this report), we hear that Mozambique’s government intends completing the doubling of the Maputo-Ressano Garcia railway.

This will be the second section of the Maputo railway to be doubled and involves the section between Movene and Ressano Garcia on the border with South Africa.

According to Transport and Communications Minister, João Matlombe, the doubling of this section will cost more than $200 million (or 13.2 billion meticals) but will vastly improve the capacity of what is developing into one of Southern Africa’s most strategic railways.

The section from Movene to Ressano is a short 25 kilometres. The first section to be undertaken was between Maputo and Secongene, completed in September last year.

That covered a length of 42 kilometres. Included in that section was an upgrade of the Maputo Central Railway Station.

The aim of the doubling of the railway is clearly to increase its capacity in keeping with anticipated increases in cargo throughput at the concessioned Maputo port.

As a single track railway the line to the South African border had a said capacity of 13 Million tonnes of freight a year, which will be increased to 25 million tonnes once the doubling is completed.

Among other features involved with the strengthening of the railway are four new bridges.

New rolling stock and locomotives

In addition to the upgrade, the Maputo Ressano railway will have the benefit of 15 new locomotives, 250 additional freight wagons and at least 30 new passenger coaches.

The first three locomotives have arrived from the Chinese CRRC Ziyang manufacturer.

The doubling of the Maputo-Ressano railway will bring obvious benefits, but on the South African side the line remains a single track route.

From Komatipoort to Witbank and beyond to Pretoria the line is electrified utilising the 3,000 DC system (3 kV). On the Mozambican side of the border diesel traction is used.

Added 5 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

DP World launches $165 million expansion of Maputo Container Terminal

Africa Ports & Ships

Global logistics giant DP World has broken ground on a $165 million expansion of the container terminal at Mozambique’s Port of Maputo, marking a major step forward in transforming the port into a key trade and logistics hub for Southern Africa.

Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Jorge Matlombe, attended the launch event on 1 May, underlining the government’s support for the project, which aims to double the terminal’s capacity and significantly improve its efficiency.

The expansion will see the terminal equipped to handle post-Panamax vessels up to 366 metres in length. Once complete, it will increase annual throughput from 255,000 TEUs to 530,000 TEUs, while extending the quay to 650 metres and deepening the berth to 16 metres. Yard space will also expand by 6.48 hectares.

“This investment underscores our commitment to Mozambique’s economic development and to strengthening its role in regional trade,” said Mohammed Akoojee, CEO and Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at DP World.

“Maputo has the potential to become a gateway for Southern Africa’s landlocked countries, connecting them to global markets.”

To support the increased capacity, the terminal will be outfitted with three ship-to-shore (STS) cranes capable of servicing post-Panamax ships, alongside an expanded fleet of rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes and existing mobile harbour cranes.

Reefer capacity will be boosted with over 700 plugs, a move set to benefit the region’s growing agricultural export sector.

Captain Sumeet Bhardwaj, CEO of DP World Maputo, said the expanded terminal would improve turnaround times and reduce freight costs, making the port more attractive to global carriers.

New opportunities

“This upgrade will open new opportunities for exporters and industries across Mozambique and the wider region, enabling faster and more affordable access to international markets,” he said.

Alongside physical infrastructure, the project includes major digital and automation upgrades.

These include optical character recognition at gate facilities for quicker container processing, an improved terminal operating system (TOS), a vehicle booking system (VBS), and a fully digitised client community system (CCS) to enhance coordination with shipping lines, customs, and financial institutions.

Workforce development and safety are also central to the project. New staff facilities, expanded amenities, and upgraded security systems — including live monitoring and advanced CCTV — are being introduced to support the increased operational demands.

Once completed, the upgraded terminal is expected to position Maputo as a competitive alternative to regional ports, driving economic growth not only in Mozambique but across its neighbouring landlocked economies.

Added 5 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

TNPA seeks interested party to operate and manage Port of Durban’s Maydon Wharf 15-berth terminal precinct

Africa Ports & Ships

25-Year Concession Period

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has today (Monday 5 May 2025) issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the appointment of a terminal operator to design, develop, fund, construct, operate, maintain and transfer a multi-purpose terminal (MPT) handling fresh produce and compatible break bulk cargo for a twenty-five (25) year concession period at the Port of Durban.

The issuing of this RFP is in accordance with Section 56 of the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005 to enhance port’s efficiency and competitiveness.

This brownfield development is earmarked for the Maydon Wharf precinct of the port, which has its landside area dedicated to commercial logistics, including warehousing and transport logistics-related activities.

Maydon Wharf spans approximately 145 hectares, features 15 berths and has capacity of over seven million tons of cargo annually.

Situated at the western extent of the port, the precinct is primarily a mixed-use precinct that hosts cargo terminals handling dry bulk, break bulk, a limited amount of liquid bulk and containerised units.

“This multi-purpose terminal request for proposals is a pivotal development for the Port of Durban,” said Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, Acting TNPA Port Manager for the Port of Durban.

“It will enhance the port’s competitiveness to support the domestic and international supply chain while aligning with Transnet’s goals to increase cargo volumes and ultimately lead to economic growth and job creation in the region.”

RFP documents can be accessed from the National Treasury’s e-tender portal HERE

and/or the Transnet website HERE

Briefing Session

A non-compulsory briefing session has been scheduled for 7 May 2025 at the N-Shed, 2 Quayside Road, Port of Durban at 10:00 am. RSVPs for the briefing session and queries for clarification in respect of this RFP must be directed to tnpapodfreshproducebreakbulk@transnet.net

Added 5 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

Positive start to the South African citrus export season

Africa Ports & Ships

The South African citrus industry expects to export a total of 171,1 million 15kg cartons of citrus in the 2025 season. That’s according to Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, chief executive of the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA), reporting on the first complete forecast of the 2025 season following confirmation of the mandarin estimate.

The final figure of last year was 164,5 million cartons. Ntshabele said there seems to be a favourable start to the 2025 season so far, with the early season being mostly dominated by exports of lemons and grapefruit.

Lemons are in demand and the lemon price also looks good, he reported, adding that 55% more grapefruit than last year has been exported at this point – although it is still very early in the season.

“The solid growth trajectory that the industry has been on has held so far, however, we anticipate that some serious threats will remain,” Ntshabele said.

“Of significance for this season is the tariff turmoil that could disrupt the US market for a portion of our growers. It is imperative that a trade deal or exemption for seasonal fresh produce be
agreed on by the governments of SA and the US before the paused 30% tariff comes into effect in two and a half months’ time.

“Although the US represents only 4% – 6% of SA’s citrus exports, the US market is the lifeblood of Northern Cape and Western Cape rural towns, such as Citrusdal.”

The figure for the expected 2025 citrus exports from SA has been calculated after the estimates for late mandarins were finalised recently. The late mandarin variety estimates show impressive growth and break down as follows:

 Leanri – 2.1 million 15kg cartons, slightly down from 2.2 million cartons in 2024.
 Orri – 2.1 million 15kg cartons, stable from 2024’s 2.1 million cartons.
 Nadorcott/Tango – 25.7 million 15kg cartons, up significantly from 23.3 million cartons last year, due to young trees coming into production.
 Other late mandarins – 3.2 million 15kg cartons, up from 2024’s 2.7 million cartons these estimates come after the CGA released season estimates in March for lemons, oranges, grapefruit and early mandarins.

Those figures represented stable growth overall, with:

 Lemons at 32.9 million 15kg cartons, a 5% decrease from 2024
 Navel oranges at 26.1 million 15kg cartons, a 5% increase from 2024
 Valencia orange at 52 million 15kg cartons, a 6% increase from 2024
 Grapefruit at 13.5 million 17kg cartons, also a 6% increase from 2024
 Satsuma (early mandarin) at 1.8 million 15kg cartons, no change from the previous year
 Nova (early mandarin) at 4.5 million, a 2% increase from 2024
 Clementines (early mandarin) at 5.4 million 15kg cartons, a 10% increase from 2024.

“The main challenges our growers face are logistical inefficiencies at our ports, the US tariff uncertainty, existing tariffs in other markets, and difficult access to markets like the European Union due to unnecessary phytosanitary (plant health) measures,” Dr Ntshabele reported.

He expressed cautious optimism for South Africa to have a successful season and to make progress in addressing the challenges faced by the growers.

Added 4 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

WHARF TALK: Dutch three masted topsail schooner – OOSTERSCHELDE

Pictures as indicated 
Story by Jay Gates

For those who are regular readers of this column, they will already know that in 1836 the famous voyage of HMS Beagle reached South African shores, and remained at anchor off Simonstown for a period of 19 days, before heading north to the conclusion of her 5 year voyage that changed the world in terms of biological education, and in the ecclesiastical world, it turned it on its head.

The outcome of the ‘Voyage of the Beagle’ was the ‘Origin of Species’, which were also the titles of two stellar books written by the onboard naturalist of that voyage, the great Charles Darwin. As the bicentenary of this famous voyage was approaching, it was determined that a reenactment voyage would set off from Plymouth, in the United Kingdom, the same port that ‘HMS Beagle’ departed from in December 1831, and it would end in Falmouth, also in the United Kingdom, the same port that marked the completion of that fateful voyage in 1836.

The decision was taken to emulate the voyage of ‘HMS Beagle’ by using a tall ship, and to follow as best as could be achieved the route taken by ‘HMS Beagle’. The voyage would take two years, rather than five, and it would encourage the youth of the world, by inviting them to take part in ecological and environmental programmes aboard the vessel as it made its great circumnavigation. The vessel chosen was to be the more than a century old, Dutch three masted topsail schooner, ‘Oosterschelde’.  She is owned by the non-profit charity, the Rotterdam Sailing Ship Foundation, and the expedition would be known as ‘Darwin200’.

Oosterschelde. Cape Town 24 April 2025. Picture by Phil Short —>>>

Her 32 leg voyage would follow a route of Plymouth- Tenerife (Canary Islands)- Mindelo (Cape Verde Islands)- Fernando de Noronha- Salvador- Rio de Janeiro (all Brazil)- Punta del Este (Uruguay)- Puerto Madryn (Argentina)- Port Stanley (Falkland Islands)- Punta Arenas- Talcuhuano- Valparaiso (all Chile)- Callao (Peru)- Puerto Lucia- Galapagos Islands (both Ecuador)- Easter Island (Chile)- Mangareva- Papeete (both French Polynesia)- Rarotonga (Cook Islands)- Tonga- Fiji- Whangarei- Auckland (both New Zealand)- Sydney- Hobart (both Australia)- Lyttleton (New Zealand)- Cape Horn- Port Stanley- Cape Town- St. Helena- Ascension Island- Horta (Azores)- Falmouth.

On 15th August 2023 ‘Oosterschelde’ set off from the Sutton Harbour in Plymouth on her 32 leg, 40,000 nautical mile, voyage around the world. Her itinerary was for her to arrive back in Falmouth on 20th July 2025. The only omission, and difference, from the original route of ‘HMS Beagle’ was that ‘Oosterschelde’ would not be crossing the Indian Ocean, via the Cocos Islands and Mauritius, as did ‘HMS Beagle’. Instead she would double back across the Pacific Ocean, and cross the South Atlantic Ocean, rounding Cape Horn, prior to her arrival in Cape Town.

On the 29th March, at 10:00 in the morning, ‘Oosterschelde’ (IMO 5347221) arrived off Cape Town, from Tristan da Cunha. She entered Cape Town harbour, and as expected of such an important historical visitor, she proceeded into the V&A Basin, and went alongside the No.2 Jetty, directly in front of the V&A Waterfront, and fully visible for all Capetonians, and tourists alike, to see.

Her voyage included the ability of modern adventurers to pay to accompany ‘Oosterschelde’ on most legs of her great voyage, and experience the atmosphere of such a constant, newsworthy, endeavour. Her 28th leg, which ended in Cape Town, began at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands back in mid-February, and was offered to the general public as a 40 day voyage, via South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha, for the sum of €8,200 (ZAR169,975).

Built in 1917 by the H. Appelo & Zeuns shipyard in Rotterdam, ‘Oosterschelde’ was delivered to her new owners, H.A.A.S. of Rotterdam. She was a working cargo Schooner, sailing throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. She had a number of changes in ownership, including to other Dutch, Danish and Swedish owners, before being retired from commercial service in 1988. In her long career she first lost her mizzen mast, to be replaced by a wheelhouse, and eventually her fore and main masts as well, as her final owner had her converted to a motor coaster.

The Rotterdam Sailing Ship Foundation was formed to bring her back to Rotterdam, and to restore ‘Oosterschelde’ back to her original sailing condition. It was a restoration that took four years, and in August 1992 she was recommissioned in a ceremony led by Her Royal Highness Princess Magriet, of the Dutch Royal Family. She is registered in Holland as a National Historical Monument by the Dutch Ministry of Culture.

She is 50 metres in length, with a beam of 7.5 metres, and a height of 34.5 metres. Her three masts can hoist a sail plan of 891 m2. With a deadweight tonnage of 370 tons, ‘Oosterschelde’ is able to utilise onboard propulsion power when required, with a six cylinder John Deere main engine producing 500 bhp. She also has two generators for domestic power requirements. She has an operating crew of just eight persons, and can carry up to 24 passengers in nine cabins, and who share five bathrooms, and a large combined general dining saloon and lounge.

Her stay in Cape Town was to be for almost one month, but strangely, one day after her arrival, on 30th March, she was unceremoniously shifted from the V&A Basin, and taken into the Duncan Dock, and placed alongside the inner berth of the Eastern Mole. Her berth on No.2 Jetty in the V&A was taken, for just 12 hours, by the visiting French expedition passenger liner ‘Le Bougainville’. Yet ‘Hebridean Sky’, a second expedition passenger liner that arrived the same day was berthed behind ‘Oosterschelde’ on the Eastern Mole. The very next day, in a reverse, ‘Oosterschelde’ was returned to No.2 Jetty in the V&A. Sometimes there appears to be no logic applied by Transnet berth planners in how they go about their business.

Her month long stay in the Cape was not limited to just Cape Town. The casual maritime observer with an interest in historical matters will know that ‘HMS Beagle’ spent her entire stay in the Cape anchored off Simonstown. On 19th April, at 07:00 in the morning, ‘Oosterschelde’ left her berth in the V&A, departed from Cape Town harbour, and sailed around Cape Point where she entered False Bay, and went to anchor at 18:00 that evening off Simonstown, where she remained for the next four days. Her stay in Simons Bay was not a random endeavour, but was also to coincide with an occasion that linked with Charles Darwin, based on the upcoming 200th anniversary of his visit to South Africa.

The South African sculptor, Johan Steyn, had been commissioned by the Simons Town Historical Society to create a bronze bust of Charles Darwin, to be unveiled on the Simons Town Jetty. The bust was to be unveiled by the great, great granddaughter of Charles Darwin, Dr. Sarah Darwin, with the crew of ‘Oosterschelde’ to be present at the unveiling ceremony. This was just one of the many activities that were planned to coincide with the visit of ‘Oosterschelde’.

With the original expedition target of providing ecological and environmental projects throughout her voyage, ‘Oosterschelde’ hosted conservation students throughout her time in Cape Town, and Simonstown. What were termed as ‘Darwin Leader Projects’ for research students from Madagascar, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Cape Verde Islands, Tunisia, Namibia, and South Africa were carried out in locations throughout the Western Cape.

Her time in South Africa mirrored that of ‘HMS Beagle’, whose stay in Simons Bay was the second longest time she spent in one place throughout her entire 5 year voyage. Leaving Simonstown at 08:00 in the morning of 23rd April, ‘Oosterschelde’ made her way back to Cape Town, arriving at 19:00 that evening, and once more being berthed alongside No.2 Jetty in the V&A Basin. On both short voyages, to and from Simonstown, she took fare paying locals along for the short trip, to enable them to experience the grandeur of a historical tall ship voyage.

Her time in both Cape Town, and Simonstown, had her open to the public for visits on a number of occasions, with each visit to be hosted by her crew. At the same time, throughout Cape Town, many local venues held open activities, talks, shows, and exhibitions linked to Charles Darwin and the voyage of ‘HMS Beagle’. A true feast for Cape historical buffs.

Whilst originally scheduled to depart from Cape Town at 17:00 in the afternoon of 28th April, for her 29th leg to St. Helena, ‘Oosterschelde’ took some by surprise by sailing early, possible due to expected weather conditions that might impact on her departure. At 22:00 in the late evening of 27th April ‘Oosterschelde’ slipped out of the V&A Basin, and started her twelve day sail to Jamestown. Again, this leg was offered to any intrepid adventurer who wished to accompany her on her northward voyage home. The cost of this voyage leg was offered at €1,950 (ZAR40,421), but did not include the costs of being repatriated from St. Helena.

Her time spent in Cape Town was not the first time that ‘Oosterschelde’ had called into the Mother City. Between 2012 and 2014, she had taken part in another circumnavigation voyage, this one to commemorate the great early Dutch navigators of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), who had rounded the Cape and discovered the Spice Islands and Western Australia, back in the 16th Century.

 

Accompanied by two other Dutch tall ships, the 1911 built three masted barque ‘Europa’, and the 1915 built two masted logger ‘Tecla’, ‘Oosterschelde’ arrived at Cape Town on 4th May 2013, at the conclusion of a 35 day voyage from Santos in Brazil. She held two open days to the general public whilst alongside in the V&A, and on 14th May 2013 she set sail for Mauritius, in company with both ‘Europa’ and ‘Tecla’. The sight of three tall ships sailing together from Cape Town will have been a sight not seen for almost a century, and one very special for all who witnessed this great maritime sight.

For the casual maritime observer, and the general history buff, the visit of ‘Oosterschelde’ to Cape Town was a unique occasion, probably never to be repeated. Whilst 2036 will be the actual bicentenary of the visit of ‘HMS Beagle’ and Charles Darwin, it allows the reader to plan ahead and keep a weather eye out for the celebrations that will take place in a decade from now. For the nomenclature aficionado ‘Oosterschelde’ is named after the eastern arm of the great River Schelde, that borders Belgium and Holland, and that flows into the North Sea on the Dutch side.

Added 4 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

Xeneta launches index-linked contract simulator to help shippers tackle freight volatility

Africa Ports & Ships

Xeneta has unveiled a new index-linked contract (ILC) simulator, giving shippers a powerful tool to manage ocean freight volatility and cut through procurement inefficiencies.

Now live within the Xeneta platform, the ILC Simulator enables users to compare traditional fixed-rate contracts with index-linked contracts, using either sample trade lane data or their own historical freight rates.

The aim is to help shippers understand how indexation could stabilize rates and reduce the friction that has plagued contract negotiations in recent years.

Xeneta says the launch marks a crucial first step in shifting the industry toward index-linked contracting, a model gaining ground as the sector reels from the ongoing impacts of global disruptions such as the Red Sea crisis, Covid-19, and the US-China trade tensions.

“This simulator represents a leap forward in modern freight procurement,” said Fabio Brocca, Chief Product Officer at Xeneta.

“Traditional RFQ processes are no longer holding up in today’s volatile market. Shippers asked for better tools — and we’re delivering. The simulator gives them a fast, data-driven way to explore index-linked options and make smarter long-term decisions.”

Xeneta already supports hundreds of ILCs, allowing shippers and logistics providers to align rates with real-time market conditions. This shift enables both parties to focus more on service delivery and resilience, instead of frequent renegotiations.

As a neutral market intelligence provider, Xeneta leverages more than 600 million contracted freight rates — spanning short- and long-term markets — sourced directly from shippers and freight forwarders. This data foundation is key to building effective index-linked contracts.

But Brocca warns that success hinges on using the right data:
“We’ve seen shippers make expensive mistakes by choosing the wrong benchmarks — like pricing a 40ft container based on a 20ft index or ignoring short-term market signals.”

With the new simulator, Xeneta aims to remove those pitfalls. It provides a quick and intuitive way to explore the mechanics of ILCs and avoid missteps — setting a clear path from simulation to implementation.

The tool also supports best practices and guides users through the ILC creation process, which could accelerate industry-wide adoption and standardisation.

For more information or to try the ILC simulator, visit xeneta.com.

Added 4 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

DNV outlines clear route to approval for ammonia and hydrogen-fuelled ships

 

New paper helps shipowners navigate regulatory gaps as alternative fuels take centre stage in decarbonisation drive

With mounting pressure to cut carbon emissions across global shipping, attention is rapidly turning to ammonia and hydrogen as serious contenders in the race to zero-emission propulsion. But with no dedicated IMO regulations yet in place for these fuels, shipowners are left facing a complex and fragmented approval process.

Classification society DNV has stepped in with a practical guide that aims to remove uncertainty from the equation. Its new white paper, Safe introduction of alternative fuels: Focus on ammonia and hydrogen as ship fuels, lays out a step-by-step pathway for achieving compliance under the IMO’s Alternative Design Approval (ADA) process — the route currently required for any ship not covered by existing fuel regulations.

“The regulatory path is complex, but it is navigable,” said Linda Hammer, Principal Consultant at DNV and lead author of the paper. “We’ve broken it down into seven clear steps that shipowners can take to secure approval and operate safely.”

Filling the Regulatory Gap

The IMO’s ‘International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code)’ currently applies only to natural gas. In the absence of ammonia and hydrogen-specific rules, the ADA framework (MSC.1/Circ.1455) is being used to demonstrate an equivalent level of safety to conventional fuels.

DNV’s paper guides owners through both ADA phases: preliminary design approval — which includes hazard identification and early risk controls — and final design approval, where the full system is assessed, tested, and submitted for flag state approval.

To streamline the process, DNV offers its own class rules tailored to ammonia (published in 2021) and hydrogen (2024). These notations provide prescriptive requirements that help align designs with expected safety assessments, giving shipowners and designers a structured way to de-risk their projects.

Understanding the Technical and Operational Risks

The guide goes beyond compliance, offering detailed technical advice for safely managing the unique hazards posed by each fuel.

Hydrogen’s low ignition energy and extreme storage demands — either at −253°C in cryogenic tanks or up to 700 bar in pressurised vessels — raise serious concerns around flammability, leak prevention and crew safety.

For ammonia, the main challenges lie in toxicity, corrosion, and the need for safe bunkering and containment systems, especially near accommodation spaces.

Crew Competency and Operational Readiness

DNV makes it clear that a shift to these fuels will require significant changes not only to ship design but also to operations, training, and safety management systems.

While the STCW Convention currently lacks training standards for either fuel, DNV has developed a Recommended Practice (DNV-RP-0699) for verifying competence in ammonia handling.

The paper urges early engagement with flag administrations to agree on interim training approaches and tailor onboard procedures to the new risks.

Ports, Bunkering, and Ecosystem Readiness

Regulatory uncertainty extends beyond the vessel. Bunkering operations fall under local and national jurisdiction, meaning every port requires site-specific risk assessments and coordinated procedures between ship and shore.

To accelerate consistency, DNV recommends aligning with regional best practices — such as those developed by EMSA and the Maritime Technologies Forum — and building green shipping corridors supported by a reliable network of refuelling sites.

Collaboration the Key to Acceleration

While progress is being made, DNV warns the industry not to wait for perfect regulation.

“The industry cannot afford to take decades to develop these systems, as we did with LNG,” said Hammer. “Pilot projects, shared learnings, and strong collaboration will be essential to scaling up safely.”

Through initiatives like the Nordic Roadmap for Future Fuels and partnerships with EMSA, the Green Shipping Programme, and others, DNV is actively shaping the knowledge base and regulatory pathways for ammonia and hydrogen adoption.

For owners and operators looking to lead the transition, this paper offers not just guidance — but a workable blueprint for safe and timely implementation.

Added 4 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

South Africa’s shift from coal to renewables: how it’s going

Africa Ports & Ships

Added 4 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

IMO tightens safety regulations for ammonium nitrate transport

Africa Ports & Ships

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has taken a significant step in enhancing maritime safety with its latest amendment to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

The regulatory change, which affects Clause 7.6.2.8.4, aims to improve the safe transportation of ammonium nitrate by sea, a compound widely used in fertilizers and explosives.

Welcoming this decision, the global cargo handling association ICHCA International (ICHCA) emphasized the amendments importance in mitigating the risks associated with ammonium nitrate shipping.

The amendment mandates that ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate-based fertilizers classified under UN 1942 and UN 2067 may only be stowed under deck if all hatches, including tween deck hatches, can be opened in an emergency.

This ensures that effective firefighting through ventilation and boundary cooling can be carried out swiftly.

ICHCA played a key role in advocating for this change, having submitted a White Paper to the IMO in 2022 that highlighted the risks of fire when transporting ammonium nitrate at sea. The organization urged for clearer provisions in the IMDG Code to eliminate any ambiguity regarding emergency accessibility.

CEO Richard Steele is calling for industry-wide voluntary compliance ahead of the official implementation date of January 2026, stating that “the new regulation should be adhered to immediately to enhance safety measures.”

Ammonium nitrate fires can escalate rapidly due to the compound’s properties, which accelerate the combustion of surrounding materials.

“Understanding these risks is crucial for proper stowage and handling on board vessels,” said Brian Devaraj, a member of ICHCA’s Technical Panel and lead author of the White Paper. He further stressed that compliance with Clause 7.6.2.8.4 at all times is imperative to prevent potential disasters.

Regulatory authorities in several nations, including Australia, South Africa, and Chile, had already introduced stringent requirements for ammonium nitrate transportation, recognizing the dangers associated with improper storage.

The newly clarified IMDG Code amendment provides uniform guidance that applies to various types of vessels, including bulk carriers, multipurpose tween deckers, and conventional reefer vessels.

ICHCA has committed to promoting awareness of the amendment as part of its Dangerous Goods Awareness campaign throughout 2025, urging all stakeholders in the maritime transport industry to integrate these updated safety measures without delay.

* The whitepaper, ‘Ammonium Nitrate Fire Risk on Board Ships’ is available for free download HERE

Added 3 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

Liner Shipping Pumps $1.1 Trillion into U.S. Economy, Supports 6.4 Million Jobs – New S&P Global Report

Africa Ports & Ships

A newly released report from S&P Global has underscored the vast economic footprint of the liner shipping industry in the United States, revealing it supports more than 6.4 million American jobs and contributes over $1.1 trillion to the nation’s GDP.

Published on 28 April by the World Shipping Council*, the report provides an in-depth, independent analysis of liner shipping’s economic impact across employment, trade, wages, sales, and tax revenues.

Among the headline findings:

Liner shipping handles 64.4% of U.S. seaborne trade by value, making it the backbone of ocean-based transport for both imports and exports.

The industry transports nearly $1.5 trillion in U.S. trade annually, including $335 billion in exports and $1.1 trillion in imports.

It generates $262.5 billion in federal and state tax revenue.

Beyond direct trade, the report highlights liner shipping’s essential role in the U.S. manufacturing and production sectors. Approximately 44% of U.S. imports carried by liner vessels—worth $490 billion—are industrial inputs such as raw materials and components.

These inputs, in turn, help generate an additional $628 billion in domestic economic output.

Liner vessels make more than 18,000 port calls across the United States annually, underscoring their vital role in maintaining reliable trade flows and bolstering supply chain resilience.

As U.S. policymakers and business leaders continue to focus on supply chain security and economic growth, the report reaffirms that liner shipping is not just a trade facilitator—it’s a central pillar of the American economy.

Download the full report here

and the WSC’s factsheet here

* The World Shipping Council is the united voice of liner shipping, working with policymakers and industry groups to shape the future growth of a socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, safe, and secure shipping industry. A non- profit trade association, e WSC has offices in Brussels, London, Singapore and Washington, D.C.

Added 2 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

Trade priorities: Francophone countries reflect strategy

Representatives from French-speaking African and Indian Ocean WTO Members met for a regional consultation in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 28 to 30 April, with the aim of defining their trade priorities one year ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), which is also scheduled to be held in Yaoundé in March 2026. In the words of Cameroon’s Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, host of MC14: “MC14 must serve as a launch pad for a better future.”  Jointly organised by the WTO Secretariat and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) at the request of the French-speaking countries represented this consultation entitled ‘On the road to the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference’.   Read more…

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

News continues below

Trade priorities: Francophone countries reflect strategy

Edited by Paul Ridgway
Africa Ports & Ships
London

Representatives from French-speaking African and Indian Ocean WTO Members met for a regional consultation in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 28 to 30 April, with the aim of defining their trade priorities one year ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), which is also scheduled to be held in Yaoundé in March 2026.

In the words of Cameroon’s Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, host of MC14: “MC14 must serve as a launch pad for a better future.”

WTO + OIF

Jointly organised by the WTO Secretariat and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) at the request of the French-speaking countries represented this consultation entitled ‘On the road to the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference’.

This was aimed to bring out ideas so that the countries of the French-speaking multilateral system can maximise their participation in the WTO and play a greater role in world trade.

Trade multilateralism

Minister Mbarga Atangana highlighted the many challenges that the Francophone space has faced in recent years; from health crises that have weakened supply chains to security crises, food insecurity and trade tensions.

He recalled that trade multilateralism has had the objective of promoting the development of States through trade since its inception. The political room for manoeuvre of governments for Africa’s development must be decisive in this sense, he stressed.

In order for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference to: ‘serve as a launching pad for a better future’, he continued, it will be essential to focus the negotiations on agriculture, food security, investment facilitation for development, e-commerce, fisheries subsidies, the role between trade and environment, WTO reform and development issues in general.

Importance of world trade stressed

During the closing session, the participants stressed the importance of world trade for their economies and the urgency for the countries of the French-speaking world to increase their participation in it for economic growth, employment and for the improvement of the prosperity and well-being of the populations.

They pledged to use the opportunity for a Ministerial Conference to be organized in Africa to put the economic and trade development of the economies of the French-speaking world at the forefront.

World Trade Outlook and Statistics published

The WTO Secretariat also presented to the representatives of the participating governments the latest World Trade Outlook and Statistics as well as an overview of current ratifications of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

The list of participants is available here.

Strengthening of cooperation ’twixt WTO and OIF

This consultation was part of the strengthening of cooperation between the WTO and the OIF, marked in 2023 by the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding.

The objective is to increase the participation of French-speaking countries in the global trading system, particularly in developing economies.

The targeted areas of support concern trade capacity building, trade promotion and development activities in French-speaking countries, particularly in Africa and the least developed countries.

Added 2 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

WHARF TALK: HMS BEAGLE – 31st May 1836 to 18th June 1836

Story by Jay Gates 
Africa Ports & Ships

In the history of the opening up of the modern world, and the coming of the age of scientific exploration and discovery, Cape Town has been at the forefront of that greatest epoch of history. It was a time when the British Empire was expanding, and the Cape Colony was the naval staging post for the arrival, and departure, of those Royal Navy warships that had been set up to do just that, explore and discover the unknown world, or make more sense of the recently discovered world.

It has to be said that the Royal Navy commanders that were at the forefront of this expansion of knowledge were great leaders, to a man, and numbered amongst their august ranks the likes of James Cook, Matthew Flinders, George Vancouver, William Bligh, Philip Carteret, Francis Beaufort, and Robert Fitzroy. However, not all voyages were famed for the Commander of the particular vessel, but in some instances it was who accompanied the vessel. In that day and age, most Royal Navy voyages of exploration carried a naturalist amongst the crew, and one was to become more famous than the rest, and someone who everybody today is fully aware of.

On 31st May 1836 the Royal Navy barque-sloop ‘HMS Beagle’ arrived in False Bay, from Port Louis in Mauritius, and went to anchor in Simons Bay, off Simonstown. Her arrival, and the use of the winter anchorage in False Bay, rather than using Table Bay, was normal for the time of year and gave Royal Navy ships the protection that False bay afforded from the rough seas, and high winds, of the winter Northwesterly storms.

On her homeward section of a mammoth voyage, ‘HMS Beagle’ was under the command of Captain Robert Fitzroy RN. She had originally sailed from Plymouth way back on 27th December 1831, and was now in her fifth year of a voyage of circumnavigation. Her voyage was one of surveying and scientific exploration, with her onboard scientist and naturalist being a young gentleman by the name of Charles Darwin.

One of a class of 104 warships known as the Cherokee Class, ‘HMS Beagle’ was originally built as a two masted brig-sloop, with ten guns. Of this class, eight of them were selected for conversion to survey and exploration vessels, with armament reduced to six guns, and refits that included raised bulwarks and, in the case of ‘HMS Beagle’, the addition of a third mizzen mast to change her configuration to that of a barque-sloop. She was the third Royal Navy warship to receive the name ‘Beagle’.

She was ordered by the Lords of the Admiralty in June 1817, and laid down at the Woolwich Dockyard, on the River Thames, in June 1818. Launched in May 1820, she initially did not receive her masts and rigging, and was laid up to await a commission. She was 28 metres in length, with a beam of 7.5 metres, and a burthen weight of 238 tons. She cost £7,803 to build, and carried a crew of 75. She had to wait six years for her first commission.

Her first voyage was to the tip of South America, and to conduct a hydrographic survey of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, and she sailed from Plymouth in May 1826 under the command of Captain Pringle Stokes. In August 1828, when lying at Port Famine in the Strait of Magellan, Captain Stokes fell into a depression and committed suicide by shooting himself. Sailed to Montevideo by her First Lieutenant, the Commander of the Royal Navy South America Station placed his own Flag Lieutenant in command of ‘HMS Beagle’, none other than Robert Fitzroy, to continue the voyage.

Returning to the survey area, Commander Fitzroy discovered a new navigable channel through the islands of the Strait of Magellan, which he named after his vessel, the Beagle Channel. The voyage concluded at Plymouth in October 1830. The log of ‘HMS Beagle’ from this voyage, in Fitzroy’s handwriting, is now a prized exhibit to be found in the National Maritime Museum, at Buenos Aires in Argentina.

The second voyage of ‘HMS Beagle’, subsequently to be known in modern history simply as ’The voyage of the Beagle’ began on 27th December 1831, under the command of now Captain Robert Fitzroy, with 10 officers, 4 midshipmen, 38 seamen, 8 marines, and 9 supernumeraries which included Charles Darwin. As the voyage was tasked with undertaking a full set of measurements of Longitude around the globe, Robert Fitzroy had no less than 22 Chronometers on board, as well as five mercury free barometers, and ‘HMS Beagle’ was fitted as one of the first vessels to have a lightning conductor atop her mainmast.

The voyage of ‘HMS Beagle’ has gone down in history, mainly due to the scientific work undertaken by Charles Darwin, notably at the Galapagos Islands. However, it is often thought that the catalyst for what was to become his earth shattering Theory of Evolution, came whilst he was in Cape Town during the visit of ‘HMS Beagle’ in 1836.

His time in the Cape is well recorded, and as well as taking a trip into the hinterland via Paarl, Franschoek and Houwhoek, Charles Darwin was also taken to Sea Point to study the geology of the area. Darwin reached conclusions about the areas of geological contacts in the Western Cape region, regarding the slate formation and the injection of granite seams as a liquid, which differed from the ideas of earlier eminent geologists. The casual maritime observer, who also has an historical interest in the Cape, can still visit Sea Point today, where a historical plaque marks the spot where Darwin reached his conclusions.

On 15th June 1836, Captain Fitzroy and Darwin were invited to dine with the great Cape Astronomer, Sir John Herschel, at his home ‘Feldhausen’ in Claremont. Herschel had arrived in the Cape in January 1834 to map the Southern Skies, and had interests in other scientific matters. One of which he discussed with Darwin, initially only recorded by Darwin as “the most memorable event, which for a long period, I have had the good fortune to enjoy.”

Charles Darwin had more meetings with Herschel, and in one subsequent writing of one such visit he wrote “Herschel calls the appearance of new species the mystery of mysteries, and has a grand passage upon the problem! Hurrah – ‘intermediate causes’”. This was clearly a lightbulb moment into the theory he was working on.

When he wrote his ground breaking book ‘On the Origin of Species’, which was published in 1859, Darwin opened the volume by writing in the first paragraph “These facts seemed to throw some light on the origin of species – that mystery of mysteries as it has been called by one of our greatest philosophers.” So can Cape Town claim to be the place where the Origin of Species came into being? It can certainly clearly be seen that the mystery of mysteries from Herschel gave Darwin that spark!

The stay of ‘HMS Beagle’ in Simons Bay was the second longest port stay of her long five year circumnavigation, with the critical stay in the Galapagos Islands being the longest on the voyage. On 18th June 1836, after less than three weeks in the Cape, she sailed for her northward push for home, but first bound for St. Helena. She finally arrived back in the United Kingdom on 7th October 1836 when she pulled into the port of Falmouth in Cornwall.

On arrival in England, Charles Darwin set about setting his diary down into a book, and in 1839 his seminal work ‘The voyage of the Beagle’ was published, of which the writer of this article has a copy. Captain Fitzroy went on to set up the Meteorological Office, the forerunner of all national met organisations worldwide. The casual maritime observer may not know that Robert Fitzroy was the first person ever to use the phrase ‘Weather Forecast’ in a published document.

Her departure from Simons Bay in 1836 was not the last time that ‘HMS Beagle’ called into the Cape. On her third and final voyage, which lasted from 1837 to 1843, she departed from Plymouth on 5th July 1837, under the command of Commander John Windham RN, with a commission to proceed to Australia and survey the west and northern coasts of that continent. After calling at the Cape outbound, she departed for the Swan River in Western Australia, now better known as Perth.

On this voyage they discovered a bay on the northern Australian coast, which was named after the crewmate and colleague from the previous voyage, Darwin Bay, and now the site of the city of Darwin, the State capital of the Australian Northern Territory. They also discovered a new river mouth, which they named the Fitzroy River, after their former Captain.

Also on this voyage, of naval historical interest, was Midshipman Crawford Pasco, who was the son of Lieutenant John Pasco RN, who was Admiral Lord Nelson’s Signals Officer on HMS Victory, during the Battle of Trafalgar, and the man responsible for raising the famous pre-battle signal from Nelson to the fleet, “England expects every man to do his duty.”

On the return to England on 30th September 1843, ‘HMS Beagle’ was decommissioned, and in 1845 she was retired from the active fleet, becoming a Coast Guard hulk in Essex. However, for those that can get there, a full sized replica of ‘HMS Beagle’, which can be boarded, can be found at the Nao Victoria Museum, at Punta Arenas in Chile.

The historical visit to the Cape by ‘HMS Beagle’, almost 200 years ago, has not been forgotten, as a re-enactment voyage is currently underway around the world, with a tall ship, and with a view to try and follow the original route, if at all possible, of ‘HMS Beagle’. That included a recent call at Cape Town, and Simons Bay, with ceremonies and events throughout the Cape Peninsula to celebrate the South African leg of that fateful voyage. Only flat earthers, and religious fundamentalists, will not consider the works of Charles Darwin to have any meaning. For the rest of us, evolution is real.

Added 1 May 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

DP World Sokhna posts record throughput in Q1 2025 as citrus exports surge

Africa Ports & Ships

Ain Sokhna, Egypt – 30 April 2025: DP World Sokhna has reported its highest-ever quarterly container volume, handling 285,000 TEUs in the first quarter of 2025 — a 26% increase over target and the strongest performance since the terminal began operations nearly two decades ago.

The record-breaking throughput reflects both rising trade activity and Sokhna’s growing role as a strategic logistics hub on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. A key contributor to the growth was a significant rise in refrigerated cargo, particularly citrus exports, as Egypt continues to build its reputation as one of the world’s leading citrus exporters.

Since assuming operational control of Sokhna Port in 2008, DP World has invested more than $1.3 billion in infrastructure and technology upgrades. These include the capacity to berth some of the world’s largest container ships and the deployment of digital tools to support efficient, on-demand cargo handling for domestic and international businesses.

“This level of growth clearly demonstrates Ain Sokhna Port’s rising importance as a logistics hub, not only for Egypt, but for the wider region,” said Avnash Iyer, COO and Acting CEO for DP World Egypt.

“Our ongoing investments — from Freight Forwarding offices to the soon-to-launch Sokhna Logistics Park — are designed to support a growing and dynamic market while helping our customers move cargo more efficiently.”

Sokhna Port’s ability to scale its cold chain capabilities has been crucial to supporting Egypt’s expanding perishables trade. With modern refrigerated facilities and integrated logistics systems, the port is well-positioned to handle sensitive cargo and accelerate agricultural exports to international markets.

As part of DP World’s broader logistics strategy in Egypt, Sokhna is central to a fully integrated, end-to-end supply chain offering. The port links exporters and importers directly to global trade routes, while supporting national economic growth through improved trade efficiency and supply chain resilience.

The Port of Ain Sokhna is situated in the Red Sea Gulf about 35 miles south of Port Suez.

Added 30 April 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

MSC Cruises South Africa celebrates the end of the summer 2024/2025 cruise season

Africa Ports & Ships

MSC Cruises South Africa recently concluded its local summer cruise season, featuring MSC Musica.

During the local season, which kicked off in November 2024, MSC Musica, the 3,200-passenger vessel, was a temporary home to over 90,000 passengers, and took guests to picturesque destinations in Mozambique, Reunion, Mauritius and Namibia.

Ross Volk, Managing Director of MSC Cruises South Africa says the company is pleased with the performance of the vessel, which attracted a good number of passengers, and the company looks forward with anticipation to the upcoming 2025/2026 season when guests will have the pleasure of voyaging on MSC Opera.

MSC Cruises operates four routes from two South African ports. The Durban-to-Mozambique route is the most popular with local cruisers, while the Cape Town-to-Walvis Bay route is particularly popular with overseas cruisers as well.

The other two routes are Durban-to-Mauritius and Durban-to-Cape Town.

“We are very pleased to see our loyal customers return to cruise with us every new season and we appreciate their support,” said Volk.

“It is also great to see new travellers discovering cruising as an alternative holiday which offers good value for money. The demand for cruising locally continues to show growth.”

After completing a season in the Mediterranean, MSC Opera will make her way back to South Africa to officially start another local season in the country.

The vessel, which is part of MSC Cruises’ Lirica class ships will complete a total of 37 sailings out of Durban’s Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal and the Cape Town Cruise Terminal between November 2025 and April 2026.

Designed to prioritise open deck space with a balance of intimate spaces for guests to enjoy, MSC Opera is ideal for the local traveller’s entertainment profile and has something special on offer for everyone.

“We have made two exciting additions to the upcoming season. An extension to the season, which will offer guests the opportunity to book an additional departure in November and we have introduced Mamoudzou as a new destination.

“Mamoudzou is a beautiful city on the coast of Mayotte, another great destination for our guests to discover.” Volk concludes.

Added 30 April 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

Maersk launches first integrated logistics hub in Senegal to bolster West African supply chains

Africa Ports & Ships

Dakar, Senegal: Global shipping and logistics leader A.P. Moller – Maersk has officially opened a cutting-edge 10,000 square metre logistics hub in Senegal, marking a major step in its strategy to build robust, integrated supply chain infrastructure across West Africa.

Strategically positioned between the Port of Dakar and the city’s industrial zone — both within 10 km — the new facility is designed to serve as a key distribution node for cargo destined for Senegal and neighbouring West African countries.

Its proximity to port and industrial activity offers Maersk customers faster turnaround times, lower transport costs, and improved connectivity to end markets.

“This investment in Dakar demonstrates our long-term commitment to Senegal and the broader West African region,” said Thomas Theeuwes, Managing Director for Maersk West Africa.

“By establishing this modern warehouse facility, we’re delivering on our promise to create seamless, integrated logistics solutions that enable our customers to optimise their supply chains and accelerate growth.”

A Hub for Growth and Efficiency

The Dakar facility includes 5,100 square metres of indoor storage and 500 square metres of outdoor capacity, supporting over 7,000 pallet positions. Designed to handle a diverse range of goods — from consumer products and retail items to lifestyle and tech — the versatile warehouse will become a major asset for businesses across sectors.

In addition to storage, the warehouse offers a suite of value-added logistics services such as palletisation, order fulfilment, distribution, labelling, packaging, and customised pallet solutions.

These integrated services allow businesses to consolidate their operations with a single provider, reducing complexity and improving supply chain responsiveness.

Tech-Enabled, Sustainable and Secure

At the heart of Maersk’s Dakar hub is a modern Warehouse Management System (WMS) paired with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) capabilities. These systems offer customers real-time visibility and seamless integration with their own platforms, ensuring enhanced control and traceability.

Sustainability has also been prioritised. The facility is powered by 60% solar energy and makes use of electric material handling equipment, reflecting Maersk’s broader goal of decarbonising global logistics.

Advanced safety measures, including forklift cameras, pedestrian detection systems, and full firefighting infrastructure, support around-the-clock operations under strict HSSE standards.

Expanding Regional Reach

This latest addition strengthens Maersk’s logistics footprint across West Africa, where it now operates in eight countries with over 100,000 square metres of warehousing space.

Locations include key gateways such as Abidjan, Tema, Lagos, Douala, Lome, Cotonou, and Conakry — all aligned with the company’s high standards for health, safety, security, and environmental performance.

As West Africa continues to emerge as a vibrant logistics market, Maersk’s new integrated logistics hub in Dakar is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s supply chain future.

Added 29 April 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

BAE Systems and Umoe Mandal sign agreement to deepen maritime collaboration

Africa Ports & Ships

British defence giant BAE Systems and Norwegian shipbuilder Umoe Mandal have signed a new Collaboration Agreement aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation between the UK and Norway.

The agreement was formalised during an industrial collaboration event held in Mandal, southern Norway, attended by government and defence sector representatives from both countries.

The two companies already have a working relationship spanning over 25 years, with Umoe Mandal currently supplying major composite structures for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigate programme.

This new agreement signals a broadening of that partnership, including joint exploration of future naval projects — most notably, the design and potential construction of a next-generation Littoral Strike Craft.

Geoff Searle, Future Business Director at BAE Systems Naval Ships, emphasised the strategic nature of the agreement:

“Norway and the UK share a strong maritime relationship, built over decades of cooperation as close allies. This Collaboration Agreement enables us to build on our two nations’ military and industrial relationships, and further strengthens our ability to offer advanced maritime capability to the Norwegian and UK navies.”

Tom Fidjeland, CEO of Umoe Mandal, highlighted the local economic and industrial benefits:

“This agreement supports future growth and development of our company, through the delivery of further frigate mast structures, and importantly through collaboration on the design and manufacture of future Commando boats. This will enable us to invest further in skills and local jobs in southern Norway.”

The Type 26 Global Combat Ship, one of the most advanced warships currently under construction, is designed for anti-submarine warfare and high-intensity air defence. It can also be adapted for humanitarian missions and medical support.

The UK has already begun work on its first five ships in the class, and Norway is reportedly considering the platform for its future naval needs — an outcome that could further deepen UK-Norway industrial cooperation.

In a wider context, the Type 26 has already been selected by Australia and Canada, setting the stage for a 29-ship programme across the three Commonwealth nations.

This shared platform is expected to improve interoperability and allow for lessons to be shared across national programmes.

Meanwhile, the potential collaboration on Littoral Strike Craft — still subject to competitive processes — could open another front in Anglo-Norwegian naval cooperation, particularly in the fast-evolving domain of commando and amphibious operations.

The agreement underscores both countries’ commitment to enhancing maritime defence capability and industrial partnerships at a time of growing strategic importance in Northern European waters.

Added 29 April 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

Inauguration of the African Space Agency

Edited by Paul Ridgway
Africa Ports & Ships
London

Africa’s space aspirations reached a significant milestone on 20 April with the inauguration of the African Space Agency (AfSA) at its headquarters in Egyptian Space City, Cairo.

This event marked the culmination of efforts that began in January 2016, when the African Union Assembly adopted the African Space Policy and Strategy during its Twenty-sixth Ordinary Session, establishing the foundation for the continent’s coordinated approach to space activities.

The inauguration ceremony gathered distinguished representatives from the African Union Commission, African governments, national space agencies, AfSA Council members, and international space organisations. This assembly of dignitaries underscored the continental and global significance of Africa’s advancement in space endeavours.

Role and Objectives of AfSA

Following its inauguration, the African Space Agency is now the primary entity coordinating Africa’s space cooperation with Europe and other international partners.

A central objective of AfSA is to enhance space missions across Africa, ensuring optimal access to space-derived data, information, services, and products.

Once fully integrated into national, regional, and continental programmes, the agency aims to eliminate duplication and inefficiencies within the African space ecosystem, it is reported. As the official coordinating body, AfSA will implement the African Space Policy and Strategy effectively and advance the continent’s space-related objectives.

Memoranda of Understanding signing

The signing of cooperation agreements with the European Space Agency, the UAE Space Agency, and Roscosmos represents AfSA’s first formal international partnerships. Each memorandum outlines specific areas of cooperation, including:

With ESA: Collaborative Earth observation programmes focused on climate monitoring and natural resource management, joint training programmes for African space professionals, and technical support for AfSA’s early institutional development.

With the UAE Space Agency: Cooperation on small satellite development, educational exchanges between African and Emirati space institutions and many more.

With Roscosmos, the Russian Federation’s office of space affairs: Technical consultation on launch capabilities, space science research collaboration, and potential participation of African astronauts in future missions.

The African Space Agency (AfSA) is the second regional space agency after ESA and has been in development since 2015, with the African Union Commission adopting an African space policy and strategy in 2016.

The African Space Agency brings together the 55 member countries of the African Union to coordinate and implement Africa’s space ambitions. Its headquarters are in Egypt, which launched Africa’s first satellite in 1998.

Since 1998 18 African countries have launched a further 63 satellites and many African nations have implemented their own space programmes to the benefit of their people.

Harnessing space science

AfSA has the goal of harnessing space science and technology for Africa’s socio-economic development, promoting collaborative research and the peaceful exploration of outer space.

The official website of the African Space Agency is to be found here

Added 28 April 2025

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

News continues below

UNCTAD launches first-ever country-level data on seaborne trade

Africa Ports & Ships

UNCTAD, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, has released new seaborne trade data that, for the first time, offers country-level statistics, providing a clearer view of global maritime flows.

Maritime transport remains the backbone of world trade, carrying more than 80% of goods traded globally by volume. It connects production hubs with consumers across continents, facilitating industrialization, driving economic growth, and creating millions of jobs worldwide.

Over decades, seaborne trade has been shaped by major transformations – from the rise of containerisation and the growing prominence of developing economies, to shifts in global production and consumption patterns. Today, new forces such as digitalisation, geopolitics, and the urgency for sustainability and climate resilience are once again reshaping the industry.

A More Detailed View of Global Trade

The newly released dataset, built from official government trade data reported to UN Comtrade, offers a more detailed and comparable snapshot of global maritime cargo movements than ever before. This new level of granularity will help countries:

• Monitor their trade performance and competitiveness,

• Assess their integration into global supply chains and maritime networks,

• Guide investments in ports and transport infrastructure, and

• Track progress on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9.1.2, which measures the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

Developing Economies Take a Greater Share

The data highlights a major structural shift: developing countries are no longer just loading hubs for raw materials — they have become increasingly significant importers and exporters across a wider range of goods.

Since the 1970s, a series of changes — from the oil crises and trade liberalisation to the rise of container shipping and port reforms — have transformed global maritime patterns. The trend accelerated in the early 2000s as developing countries intensified trade among themselves, spanning raw materials, oil, and manufactured goods.

Their share of global maritime freight climbed sharply from 38% in 2000 to 54% in 2023, with Asia, and particularly China, leading the way.

Despite this growth, least developed countries, many of which are in Africa, and small island developing states continue to account for only a small portion of global maritime trade.

Factors such as smaller economies, limited infrastructure, and lower integration into global value chains have hindered their participation.

From Liquid Bulk to Dry Cargo

Another major shift captured in the data is the move from liquid to dry cargo. Until the early 2000s, maritime trade was dominated by liquid bulk, mainly crude oil. However, the expansion of global value chains and the rise of containerization changed the landscape.

Crude oil’s share of global seaborne trade fell from 29% in 2000 to just 18% in 2023. Meanwhile, dry bulk commodities, including coal, iron ore, grains, and manufactured goods, saw their share rise from 27% to 36%.

This transformation also reflects China’s emergence as both a major manufacturing powerhouse and a top importer of dry bulk goods.

Disruptions and Resilience

While global maritime trade volumes have grown overall, the dataset reveals significant disruptions during key periods — notably the 2008–2009 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

More recently, events such as the war in Ukraine, security tensions in the Red Sea, and a severe drought affecting the Panama Canal have exposed the vulnerabilities of critical maritime chokepoints.

As global trade becomes more complex and interconnected, having detailed, reliable data is crucial to building resilience and supporting sustainable growth across the maritime sector.

Added 28 April 2025

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

GENERAL NEWS REPORTS

in partnership with – APO

Total cargo handled by tonnes during February 2025, including containers by weight

• see full report for the latest month and year in the news section

PORT	February 2025 – million tonnes
Richards Bay	7.092
Durban	6,201
Saldanha Bay	5.425
Cape Town	1.457
Port Elizabeth	0.946
Ngqura	1.436
Mossel Bay	0.074
East London	0.358
Total all ports during February 2025	22.990 million tonnes

=================

Terry Hutson