German Navy visits southern Africa

Apr 6, 2003
Author: P&S

Several ships of the German Navy are due to visit southern African ports between mid April and the end of May. The ships include the magnificent air defence destroyer Lutjens, which last visited South Africa with a German task force in April 2000. Other vessels include the recently completed replenishment ship Berlin and the 1982-built frigate Bremen.

The group arrives in Cape Town for a visit between 17 and 24 April, before sailing for Maputo in Mozambique where they arrive 29 April, sailing again for an undisclosed destination on 3 May.

We say undisclosed because the ships next reappear in Durban on 18 May for a stay until 22 May, before leaving for Walvis Bay where they are due on 28 May. Two weeks of exercises at sea or a visit to Dar es Salaam or maybe some of the Indian Ocean islands?

The port of Walvis Bay reports that the destroyer Lutjens will be in port on 1 May and if this is correct then this ship will be operating apart from the others.

Ports & Ships will attempt to confirm these details with more detail.