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FIRST VIEW : ATLANTIC
ERICA
The reefer ATLANTIC ERICA (11,791-dwt, built 1999) arriving at Lyttelton to discharge tropical fruit from the
Philippines. On completion of discharge she headed for Gisborne to load squash for Japan. The Marshall Island-
flagged ship is owned by Santoku Senpaku Co of Osaka in Japan and managed by Sasanqua Shipping also of that
city and port. This is a current picture -- now see PICS OF THE DAY below for a couple of reefers of the past. The
above picture is by Alan Calvert
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MAKE TANGA THE PORT OF CHOICE
FOR UGANDA, SAYS NEWSPAPER
The inking of an agreement between Uganda and Tanzania, announced last week, which aims at routing the oil
pipeline from Uganda's future oilfields to the northern Tanzanian port of Tanga, is seen as one of the most
important developments for the East African region.
That's according to an editorial in Uganda's Daily Monitor newspaper which compares the Tanzania route
to that of taking the pipeline to Kenya's port of Lamu. "On the balance of things, especially in terms of distance
and security, the Tanzania option is superior, running only 1,100km as opposed to the Kenyan option that runs
1,500km, and is more secure." writes the Monitor. It points out that Northern Kenya has for years been
plagued by insecurity and a pipeline running within easy shot of the Somalia insurgents would make it a
nightmare to secure. "It is, therefore, not surprising that the southern option has found more attraction at this
point in time."
The preferred route to Tanga will go from the Albertine Graben, winding south of Lake Victoria and then heading
eastwards to the Indian Ocean coast at Tanga.
The editorial considers that there are greater opportunities that could come to Uganda and Tanzania from the
Tanga Port deal if the leaders of the two countries choose to look beyond the slimy black stuff once dubbed "black
gold" but whose price on the world market has precariously fallen.
The big spinoff for Tanga and Tanzania would be that Tanga could become the port of choice for Uganda's imports
and exports, provided a railway link and an all-season road were constructed between the port and the southern
shores of Lake Victoria.
"Goods could then be transported to Port Bell, Jinja, Bukakata and Majanji on the northern shore Lake Victoria by
big ferries. This would be a good alternative to Mombasa port. Mombasa currently handles 90 percent of all goods
entering and exiting Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and eastern DR Congo which has rendered the port very
congested."
The route from Tanga inland to the central African states is not a new concept, having been on the drawing
boards since the 1960s but there has never been a better opportunity of taking it forward than now, says the
ediitorial.
"What needs to be done is to replace the old narrow gauge railway [metre gauge] that runs from Tanga to Moshi
with a standard gauge [4ft 8 1/2 inches] railway line extending from Tanga through Moshi and Arusha to
Musoma, and to redevelop the inland lake ports."
The article overlooks the development of a new port at Bagamoya, roughly halfway between Tanga in the north
and Dar es Salaam in the south. It is questionable whether Tanzania can afford two such new port developments,
or the building of a new inland railway to both port areas.
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TWO BULKERS TO BE AUCTIONED
IN DURBAN THIS THURSDAY
Zeynep K, picture by Shipspotting
Sadan K, picture by Fleetmon
It's unusual for two large ships to be auctioned together in Durban, or at least it has been some years since it last
occurred, but this week two modern dry bulkers go under the hammer.
They are the vessels owned and operated by a Turkish ship operator, Kaptanoglu Shipping Group, ZEYNAP K
(81,000-dwt built 2010) and SADAN K (80,306-dwt, built 2010) which have been seized by the Durban Sheriff
following court actions taken against the owner for non-payment of loans amounting to US$82 million owed to an
Italian banking group, UniCredit.
Each ship is a 229 metre long dry bulker, flagged in the Marshall Islands. The auctioneer is Clear Assets and the
sale takes place in the Westville (Durban) offices at Westway Office Park on Thursday this week 10
March.
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PIL AND IRISL AGREE TO
COLLABORATE
PIL's general cargo ship KOTA BUNGA (27,000-dwt, built 2012) enters Durban recently. PIL ships are
frequent callers in South Africa but since sanctions were introduced agaist Iran IRISL ships have rarely been
seen, and even the few that did manage to call came in under disguise. Now it's likely that we will start seeing
these Iranian ships in our waters once again. This picture is by Trevor Jones
After years of US and UN enforced sanctions Iran's national shipping company IRISL (Islamic Republic of Iran
Shipping Line) is fast coming in out of the cold with a variety of other shipping groups linking up in joint ventures
and other agreements.
The latest to be announced is a Memorandum of Understanding between IRISL and Singapore's Pacific
International Lines (PIL), according to Iran's Mehr News Agency.
The report says that the two shipping groups have laid the groundwork for collaboration in the field of maritime
transport, including the establishment of feeder lines in South East Asia, Southern Asia, the Middle East, the
Black Sea and other regions. The two companies have also agreed to collaborate in ship construction and
technology transfer.
One of the likely results is the two lines developing a major tanker service for transporting oil products and
petrochemicals from East Asia to West Africa.
Mehr News Agency says the MoU was signed on Wednesday 2 March during a three-day visit from Singapore's
Trade and Industry Minister S Iswaran to Tehran.
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TWO MORE FOR DISNEY CRUISE
LINE FROM MEYER WERFT
Disney Fantasy at sea
Disney Dream at her floating out. Picture: Meyer Werft
The Walt Disney Company has announced announced plans to build two additional cruise ships, each of them
approximately 135,000 gross tons and slightly larger than the newest Disney Cruise Line ships, the Disney Dream
and Disney Fantasy -- and each is currently planned to include about 1,250 guest staterooms.
The two new ships will be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany and are expected to be completed in
2021 and 2023.
"We pride ourselves on the unforgettable vacation experiences we deliver to our guests each and every day, and
the expansion of our Disney fleet will allow us to create even more magical memories for families at sea and in
incredible cruise destinations around the world," said Robert A Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The
Walt Disney Company.
While design plans, ship names and itineraries are still in development, the Walt Disney Imagineering team says
it is already dreaming up exciting new ways to create the world's most magical oceangoing adventures.
Since first setting sail in 1998, Disney Cruise Line has provided a quintessential family cruise vacation experience
that combines the magic of Disney with the thrill of exploring different parts of the world. Guests step aboard
majestic and beautiful cruise liners to enjoy legendary Disney entertainment, exquisite dining, spacious and
well-appointed staterooms and magnificent public spaces. The company also has been an industry leader in
innovation and game-changing creativity.
With the launch of the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy in 2011 and 2012, the company introduced several
firsts for the industry, including a water coaster at sea (AquaDuck) and virtual portholes in interior staterooms
(Magical Portholes) that provide real-time views of the sea as well as sightings of animated Disney
characters.
Plans for the expansion of Disney Cruise Line come during a period of growth and innovation for Disney properties
around the globe. "The expansion of Disney Cruise Line only adds to our excitement for the unprecedented growth
taking place across our vacation destinations, from new Star Wars experiences coming to the Walt Disney World
and Disneyland resorts to the 25th anniversary of Disneyland Paris and the grand opening of our newest park,
Shanghai Disney Resort," said Bob Chapek, Chairman, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
More details about the Disney Cruise Line fleet expansion and onboard offerings are to be announced at a later
date.
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NAUTIC AFRICA BUILDS FOUR
SENTINEL VESSELS FOR OFFSHORE SERVICES
Aquashield underway in Cape Town harbour. Picture by Ian Shiffman
Cape Town shipyard Nautic Africa has launched two Sentinel multi-purpose vessels for a client in the offshore
security and service environment in West Africa, and intends launching a further two later this month.
The first two 35-metre Sentinels were launched in January and are currently undergoing testing, commissioning
and sea trials. All four vessels will be used to transport crew and supplies to oil rigs at sea. Nautic has previously
built and supplied Sentinel vessels for other West African clients.
The aluminium vessels were purpose built to customer's specifications and Bureau Veritas Classification and are
designed for harsh environments.
Nautic says that the vessels are capable of reaching a top speed of 28 knots and are well-suited for rapid
response and feature ballistic protected zones, firefighting capabilities as well as endurance and durability at
sea.
Each vessel is powered by three Caterpillar main engines, two Caterpillar generators and are fitted with bow
thrusters.
Following sea trials in March and April, the four vessels will be delivered to the offshore security client for an
official handover.
"The vessels display our continued dedication to the oil and gas industry and to creating relationships that are
built to last," says James Fisher, CEO of Nautic Africa. He added that these South African vessels are delivered
with after sales servicing and warranty in place.
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EXPECTED SHIP ARRIVALS and
SHIPS IN PORT
Port Louis - Indian Ocean gateway port
Ports & Ships publishes regularly updated SHIP MOVEMENT reports including ETAs for ports extending from West
Africa to South Africa to East Africa and including Port Louis in Mauritius.
In the case of South Africa's container ports of Durban, Ngqura, Ports Elizabeth and Cape Town links to container
Stack Dates are also available.
You can access this information, including the list of ports covered, by going HERE remember to use your BACKSPACE
to return to this page.
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CRUISE NEWS AND NAVAL
ACTIVITIES
QM2 in Cape Town. Picture by Ian Shiffman
We publish news about the cruise industry here in the general news section, but this is also available in a
dedicated Cruise News section. This section will include various stories and news not covered in the general news
so if you have an interest in this sector don't forget to check regularly on our CRUISE NEWS page.
This you will find here in CRUISE NEWS &
REVIEWS
Naval News
Similarly you can read our regular Naval News reports and stories which also have their own dedicated
section, although some stories may be duplicated in the general news section.
Find the Naval Review section
HERE
Remember to use your backspace key to return to this page.
PICS OF THE DAY : SNOW
DELTA
The reefer SNOW DELTA (14,512-gt, built 1972) [top] eases away from the Durban fruit terminal on the T-Jetty,
presenting an excellent vantage for the photographer. This picture was taken in 1999. In the lower picture we
see another 'Snow' reefer, SNOW CAPE (14,512-gt, built 1973) also sailing from Durban in 1999 after loading
citrus fruit. The pictures are by Trevor Jones
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