Articles
Richard Bay Minerals- Suspension of Dune Mining Operations at Richards Bay
Richards Bay Minerals (Pty) Ltd (“RBM”), a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, has suspended its dune mining operations at Richards Bay for an indefinite period having declared force majeure on customer contracts.
All South African Ports – Introduction of new control measures
The Chief Harbour Master of South Africa has issued a substantially revised Notice setting out new control measures applicable at all South African ports.
Availability of Low Sulphur Fuel Offshore South Africa
The local shipping press has quoted an assurance from Ms Siyamthanda Maya, the managing director of South African Marine Fuels (SAMF), that South Africa will have low sulphur fuel available offshore with effect from 1 January 2020.
Expected Delays in Offshore Bunkering Operations in Algoa Bay- Update 14 August 2019
According to local ships’ agents, offshore bunkering operations are still restricted to daylight hours, subject to the exception allowed by the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) that bunkering operations may complete at night provided that hoses are connected before sunset.
Compliance with ISPM15
Shepstone & Wylie have recently acted in a matter where a vessel was refused entry to USA ports on the grounds of non-compliance of wood packaging materials with the International Standards For Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15).
South African Ports hit by "Go-Slow"- Update
Transnet has obtained a court interdict to stop the illegal strike action by employees at the Ngqura Container Terminal. The interdict also orders workers to increase performance levels.
Expect delays in offshore bunkering operations in Algoa Bay
In the early hours of Saturday morning, 6 July 2019, an oil spill took place during offshore bunkering operations in Algoa Bay, off the ports of Ngqura and Port Elizabeth. Approximately 200 to 400 litres of fuel was spilled into the sea.
South African Ports Hit By Labour "Go-Slow"
It has been reported that industrial action in the form of a “go-slow” by labour at several of South Africa’s ports is hampering operations including ship movements.
Port Authorities Ban all Diving and Fishing in Durban Harbour- Update 10 June 2019
Durban shipping and trade journalist Terry Hutson has reported in Africa Ports & Ships Newsletter that Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has provisionally lifted its ban on fishing, commercial diving and other marine activities in the Port of Durban, which ban was applied after sewage was discovered flowing into the port from the local municipality’s sewer reticulation system.
STRIKE ACTION AT SA PORTS ON THURSDAY 30 MAY 2019 – UPDATE – STRIKE HALTED BY COURT INTERDICT
It has been reported in Africa Ports & Ships Newsletter that late last night, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) announced that it had successfully brought court action interdicting the union members from embarking on today’s planned strike.
Rehabilitation of the Port of Durban Dry Dock
It has been reported in Africa Ports & Ships Newsletter and FTW Online that the rehabilitation of the inner caisson which divides the Port of Durban’s Prince Edward Graving Dock into two sections, allowing two smaller vessels to be docked simultaneously, is progressing well.
Helicopter Service for marine Pilots to be Introduced at the Port of Cape Town
Terry Hutson of Africa Ports & Ships Newsletter has reported on the announcement by Transnet National Ports Authority that it intends introducing a helicopter service at the Port of Cape Town to transfer marine pilots onto and off visiting vessels.
IN-WATER HULL CLEANING OF SHIPS TO BE RE-INTRODUCED IN SOUTH AFRICAN PORTS
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) banned in-water hull cleaning in South African ports some years ago.
DCT BERTH DEEPENING ON HOLD - UPDATE
Durban shipping and trade journalist Terry Hutson has reported in Africa Ports & Ships Newsletter that Transnet SOC Ltd, the state-owned holding company of South Africa’s National Ports Authority, has issued a “stop work” instruction in relation to the main marine construction works to deepen and lengthen berths 203, 204 and 205 at the Durban Container Terminal.
MAPUTO PORT SET TO COMPLETE BERTH REHAB PROJECT LATER THIS YEAR - UPDATE
Terry Hutson has reported in Africa Ports & Ships Newsletter that the Mozambican port of Maputo has just taken delivery of another two new Liebherr mobile LHM 550 harbour cranes aimed at improving productivity and in response to increasing demand.
POSSIBLE IMO STCW 'WHITE LIST' DELISTING OF SOUTH AFRICA - UPDATE
Liesl Venter of Freight & Trading Weekly has reported that according to Mr Sobantu Tilayi, the acting CEO of the South African Maritime Safety Authority, the organisation has been in discussion with the IMO over the issue of compliance with the STCW Convention since 2013.
PORT AUTHORITIES BAN ALL DIVING AND FISHING IN DURBAN HARBOUR
Durban shipping and trade journalist Terry Hutson has reported in Africa Ports & Ships Newsletter that Transnet National Ports Authority has suspended all diving operations within the Port of Durban and prohibited all angling activities due to a severe sewage discharge stemming from the failure of pumps at the local municipality’s pump station.
POSSIBLE IMO STCW 'WHITE LIST' DELISTING OF SOUTH AFRICA
It has been reported in FTW Online and Terry Hutson’s Africa Ports & Ships Newsletter that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) issued a circular in February expressing its intention to remove from its register or “White List”, all countries that are non-compliant with the International Convention of Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers (the STCW Convention).
Effective implementation of IMO 2020 0.50% sulphur cap and fuel oil non-availability report
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (“SAMSA”) has recently published two Marine Notices, being numbers: 8 of 2019, to advise of the global implementation of the MARPOL Annex VI limit of 0.50 mass per cent concentration (0.50% m/m) sulphur content in fuel oil, for all ships, from 1 January 2020
Construction Commences on Liquid Bulk Terminal at the Eastern Cape Port of Ngqura
Durban shipping and trade journalist Terry Hutson has reported in today’s Africa Ports & Ships Newsletter that at a sod-turning ceremony on 21 February 2019, work officially commenced on the Port of Ngqura’s future liquid bulk terminal.
DCT BERTH DEEPENING ON HOLD
Durban shipping and trade journalist Terry Hutson has reported in Africa Ports & Ships Newsletter that Transnet SOC Ltd, the state-owned holding company of South Africa’s National Ports Authority, has issued a “stop work” instruction in relation to the main marine construction works to deepen and lengthen berths 203, 204 and 205 at the Durban Container Terminal.
MAPUTO PORT SET TO COMPLETE BERTH REHAB PROJECT LATER THIS YEAR
It has been reported in FTW Online that the Mozambican port of Maputo, which handled a record 19.5 million tonnes of cargo last year, expects to see its cargo handling capacity grow to 26.5 million tonnes after it completes the rehabilitation of berths 6, 7, 8 and 9 in the latter half of the year.
Update: Port of Richards Bay Floating Dock
The new floating dock facility will be located in the vicinity of the port’s Small Craft Harbour.
South Africa Ship Arrests: Counter-Security and Wrongful Arrest
We thought it might be helpful if we provided this brief advice on counter-security following a vessel’s arrest, and a loosely so-called “wrongful arrest”, in terms of South African law.
TNPA seeks over 4 percent tariff increase
A tariff increase of 8.00% on Marine charges (shipping lines).
South Africa: 1 January 2019 Deadline in Relation to Road Transportation of High Cube Containers
South Africa: 1 January 2019 Deadline in Relation to Road Transportation of High Cube Containers
New Navigational Aids Being Introduced at Port Maputo
The National Institute for Hydrography and Navigation of Mozambique (INAHINA) is spending US$3.5 million on navigational aids at the port of Maputo.
Revolutionary Transport Union of South Africa Calls for Strike Action
Revolutionary Transport Union of South Africa (RETUSA) has called for indefinite strike action to take place on Wednesday 11 July.
Richards Bay Coal Terminal Upgrades to Boost Productivity and Improve Vessel Turnaround Times
The ZAR 1.34 billion machinery upgrade at the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) includes the replacement of stackers and ship loaders.
Michael Asherson to Join Shepstone & Wylie in November 2018
We are delighted to announce that Michael Asherson will be joining our Shipping & Logistics team in Durban as a Partner on 1 November 2018.
Richards Bay Floating Dock and Ship Repair
Africa Ports & Ships Newsletter has today reported that the project to establish a ship repair facility including a floating dock at Richards Bay remains on track.
Coastal Bunker Barge and Tanker in Operation at Richards Bay, South Africa
Local online trade newspaper Africa Ports & Ships Newsletter has reported that SA’s first coastal bunker barge, AMBER II, is in operation at the port of Richards Bay.
Breaking News: Richards Bay & Durban, South Africa - Suspension of Helicopter Operations for Marine Pilot Transfers
The Richards Bay Harbour Master has circulated a Port Information Update regarding the use of the port authorities’ helicopter for Marine Pilot transfers.
TNPA Places Orders for Two New Port Helicopters
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has announced that it will be acquiring two new aircraft for delivery next year.
Breaking News: Bunker Shortage Reported at Durban
According to local online trade newspaper Africa Ports & Ships, unconfirmed reports suggest that there is no spot bunker fuel currently available at the port of Durban.
BREAKING NEWS – CAPE TOWN PORT SUSPENDS SALE OF POTABLE WATER TO VESSELS
The port of Cape Town has suspended the sale and supply of fresh water to vessels calling at the port, with exceptions considered only in extreme cases and on merit
Shipping Update: New Floating Dock in Durban
On 2 September 2016, Dormac Marine officially welcomed its new floating dock which is expected to substantially increase ship repair and maintenance capacity in Durban.
Shipping Update: Concentrated Inspections on Cargo Securing Arrangements
The Secretariat of the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control has announced that its member Authorities will be undertaking a concentrated inspection campaign on Cargo Securing Arrangements, for three months from 1 September until 30 November 2016.
Lessons Learnt from Recent Marine Casualties
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (“SAMSA”) has issued a Marine Notice, No. 27 of 2016, regarding “lessons learnt” from three serious marine casualties that have occurred off the coast of South Africa over a six-month period.