Ports & Ships Maritime News

1 December 2016
Author: Terry Hutson

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

TODAY'S BULLETIN OF MARITIME NEWS

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• First View : CYGNUS LEADER
• Kenya chosen as IMO's Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre for Africa
• TPT dismisses claims about manganese handling at Cape Town terminal
• Damen to build 16 passenger ferries for Ivory Coast
• SAMSA confirms electronic verification of seafarer's certificates
• Book Review: Light in the Darkness
• EfficienSea 2: Getting Connected to the Future
• Expected Ship Arrivals and Ships in Port
• Cruise News and Naval Activities
• Pics of the Day : CMA CGM OPAL

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FIRST VIEW : CYGNUS LEADER

NYK's RoRo car carrier CYGNUS LEADER was a recent caller at Durban where she was photographed inside the harbour at one of the port's several car terminal berths. Cygnus Leader (61,775-gt, built 2007) is capable of handling up to 6500 motor cars or a combination of 5415 cars and 162 trucks. Flagged in Panama the ship is 200 metres in length and 32m wide. She was built at the Imabari Shipbuilding Co Ltd shipyard at Marugame Headquarters, Maruganme, Japan as their hull or yard number 1489. This picture is by Keith Betts

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KENYA CHOSEN AS IMO'S MARITIME TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION CENTRE FOR AFRICA

Kenya has been chosen to host a multi-billion Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre for Africa, beating South Africa, Ghana and Namibia which had also shown interest.

The bids by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN agency which regulates shipping, were opened in April, reports AFKinsider. The centre will promote co-operation in maritime technology.

Kenya presented the bid through a consortium of organisations consisting of the Kenya Maritime Authority, the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and the Kenya Ports Authority. KMA acting director-general Cosmas Cherop said the centres will be hosted at KMA Regional Maritime Rescue Centre located the KPA and JKUAT Mombasa campus.

The MTCC will be established and resourced to become a centre of excellence, providing leadership in promoting ship energy-efficiency technologies and operations, and the reduction of harmful emissions from ships, Cherop said in a statement.

The centre in Kenya will be one of the five centres to be established worldwide. Others will be established in Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Pacific. The centres, a joint IMO-European Union project, are aimed at building capacity for climate change mitigation in the maritime shipping industry.

According to the IMO, the centres will receive Euro 10 million (about KSh1.09 billion) funding from the EU. The IMO said selection in the target regions was done competitively. Winning organisations and consortium of organisations had to have credible standing in their regions, considerable engagement with industry and government,the IMO said.

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TPT DISMISSES CLAIMS ABOUT MANGANESE HANDLING AT CAPE TOWN TERMINAL

Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) said yesterday that it has taken note of reports which it says are incorrect regarding the handling of manganese at its Cape Town Multipurpose Terminal.

The terminal operator says that contrary to recent concerns raised in Cape Town about the toxicity and impact of the new handling of Manganese ore by TPT from the Multi-Purpose Terminal in Cape Town, TPT reiterates that locals, employees and the environment are in no danger.

It says that the manganese ore handled on behalf of various clients by TPT is facilitated in a shed in the terminal to ensure nuisance dust and air emissions are contained within the shed.

"The cargo is now being handled via the Port of Cape Town as a result of increased demand from the Asian market which ultimately brings about an increase in revenue for the Western Cape economy," TPT said in a statement. "The terminal is facilitating manganese ore below the threshold of 100,000 tons, this being below the Air Emissions License trigger for storage and handling of ore (National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, No. 39 of 2004 -- Subcategory 5.1: Storage and Handling of Ore and Coal)."

According to TPT's Cape Town Terminal Manager, Pamela Yoyo, stringent health and safety measures were assessed prior to exporting the new cargo and have since been implemented within operations.

"Still complying with our Duty of Care as set out by NEMA, TPT has installed various mitigation measures to ensure the operation complies with environmental and legal requirements. Mitigation measures include, but are not limited to covering of the cargo during transportation to the terminal, wetting of cargo and regular cleaning of surrounding surfaces," she explained.

TPT's statement said that before the facilitation process of manganese commenced, an environmental risk assessment was conducted to assess the potential risks and adequate controls were implemented to minimise the perceived impact. A safety risk assessment was also conducted and the appropriate safety controls implemented including but not limited to the use of Personal Protective Clothing.

"TPT remains an ISO 14001 certified company and takes environmental stewardship seriously."

TPT argues that it is well versed in the handling of bulk mining minerals, as various parcels of cargo are facilitated in this manner on a regular basis throughout the country.

"TPT is committed to continue improvement of our operational best practices to ensure our members of staff as well as surrounding environments are not adversely impacted. To this end we are guided by the IMDG Code, NEMA, The Ports Act and other Statutory Compliance relevant to the various types of commodities," Yoyo said.

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DAMEN TO BUILD 16 PASSENGER FERRIES FOR IVORY COAST

left to right: Jan van der Vorm (Sales Manager Africa, Damen Shipyards Gorinchem), Adama Bictogo (President Directeur General STL), David Fofana (Directeur Adjoint STL)

Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Societe de Transport Lagunaire (STL) to build sixteen shallow-draft passenger ferries for the Ivory Coast.

The contract represents part of a forward-thinking presidential plan that aims at reducing urban congestion and greenhouse gas emissions in the city Abidjan.

Known as the economic capital of the Ivory Coast, Abidjan is located around the 100-km long Ebrie Lagoon on the west coast of Africa and therefore water-based transport holds a vital position in everyday life in the area. In addition, due to rapid population growth and the deterioration of existing ferry services, traffic congestion is a major problem in the city.

This multiple vessel contract is part of the Ivory Coast government's increased focus on urban infrastructure improvement. The presidential plan entails provision of cost effective and reliable public transport options for the growing urban population.

Draught requirements
"Abidjan's population has increased five-fold in the last 20 years," explains Damen Sales Manager Africa Jan van der Vorm. "And much of the existing ferry infrastructure is in urgent need of renewal. In order for the city's growth to continue in a sustainable way, the transport sector has become a top priority."

Damen has designed the 18-metre long vessels according to the standards of the International Association of Classification Societies. Powered by two Volvo D5 engines, each ferry will be able to transport up to 130 passengers at speeds of 10 knots.

One key design parameter concerned the vessels' draught specifications: the vessels achieve these by having an air draught of 4 metres and a 1-metre water draught.

A growing city
Construction of all the ferries will take place at Damen Shipyards Kozle in Poland. The yard will adhere to a tightly-planned production schedule to meet STL's delivery requirements. The first four ferries will be delivered in January 2017 -- the rest will be delivered four at a time, every 8 weeks, in three batches thereafter.

"Not only does this contract represent a new client for us, but it also involves a new vessel that we have designed specifically for this project," states Mr Van der Vorm. "We are very pleased to contribute to the development of this growing city -- this is just the first phase of a much larger project, the scope of which extends to a total of 45 vessels by 2020. It is a project that we are extremely proud to be involved in."

Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 32 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide. The Dutch company has delivered more than 5,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality.

Damen's focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low 'total cost of ownership', high resale values and reliable performance. Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.

Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.

For nearly all vessel types the group offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.

In addition to ship design and shipbuilding, Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has a worldwide network of 16 repair and conversion yards with dry docks ranging up to 420 x 80 metres. Conversion projects range from adapting vessels to today's requirements and regulations to the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,500 repair and maintenance jobs annually.

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SAMSA CONFIRMS ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION OF SEAFARER'S CERTIFICATES

Chief Examiner, Capt Azwimmbavhi Mulaudzi

The verification of seafarers' certificates has moved into the digital era in South Africa with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirming the introduction of electronic verification of the documents with effect from Thursday last week (8 December 2016).

According to SAMSA's Centre for Seafarers, the shift towards electronic verification of seafarers' certificates is in compliance with Regulation I/2 of The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

"SAMSA has just introduced electronic verification of seafarers certificates with effect from noon, Thursday; 08 December 2016. This is in line with Regulation I/2 of the STCW Convention," announced Chief Examiner, Captain Azwimmbavhi Mulaudzi.

Quoting from the Regulation, he said it required that "each Party undertakes to make available information on the status of such certificates of competency, endorsements and dispensations to other parties and companies which request verification of the authenticity and validity of certificates produced to them by seafarers seeking recognition of their certificates under regulation I/10 or employment on board ship.

"As of 1 January 2017, the information on the status of information required to be available in accordance with paragraph 15 of this regulation shall be made available, in the English language, through electronic means."

Captain Mulaudzi said from Thursday onwards, verification of seafarers' certificates could now be done by accessing the forms found available on SAMSA's website. www.samsa.org.za

"Initially, the electronic verification will only be available for 'new format' certificates. SAMSA will announce to the industry as and when more certificates are ported to the new platform," he said. Source: SAMSA

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BOOK REVIEW: LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

A HISTORY OF LIGHTSHIPS AND THE PEOPLE WHO SERVED ON THEM

By Liam Clarke

Published by Amberley Publishing, The Hill, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 4EP GB. Paperback. Special Price: GBP9.59 Orders may be placed at www.amberley-books.com

This 160 page paperback examines the origins of the lightship services of Great Britain and Ireland, the obstacles and prejudices that faced originators of the idea and the subsequent development of the vessels and working practices over the years. Dr Clarke has certainly been dedicated in his extensive research and uses in many places his own illustrations.

Since Hamblin's lightship of 1731 the dangerous occupation of lightsman has claimed the lives of a number of crews and those who tried to save them in peace and in war. The lives and working conditions of the brave men who put their lives at risk guiding ships safely to their ports without peril, has been almost forgotten although some of the ships in which they fared continue to serve the mariner in an automated state monitored from shore. Indeed, some have hulls half a century old, testament surely, to sound materials and good ship husbandry.

Dr Liam Clarke introduces local lightship disasters of the past and provides interviews with some of those who once served. He was born into a family with a long history of lightship service, has a deep understanding of the dangerous working conditions and the pressures that this lifestyle had on the men and their families. He uses this to portray a lonely and hazardous life which few now remember, and which has rarely been written about. He dedicates the work to his father, Arthur Clarke (1907-1977), a former lightship man who served in light ships of the Irish service.

Around the coasts of England and Wales Trinity House, incorporated in 1514, is a charity dedicated to safeguarding shipping and seafarers, providing education, support and welfare to the seafaring community. It also has a statutory duty as a General Lighthouse Authority to deliver a reliable, efficient and cost-effective aids to navigation service for the benefit and safety of all mariners. As part of this service Trinity House operates nine lightships on station from the Seven Stones, near Land's End at the western end of the English Channel eastwards with two at the Sunk stations on the entrance to the port Harwich on the East Coast and with others elsewhere in the Channel and the Dover Strait.

At one time, before the Second World War the Trinity House lightship fleet totalled in the region of sixty hulls on station with other as spares. Each was manned and needed to be serviced by district tenders on a monthly rota and received coal, fresh water and oil as well as seeing the transfer of lightsmen and their food and chattels from shore. At the same time the district tender checked the lightship's moorings, anchor, light and fog signal characters as well its assigned position. Each lightship is secured to a 60cwt* anchor and more than 200 fathoms** of chain cable. An amazing evolution in logistics took place month in, month out. This reviewer had the privilege of being part of Trinity House lightship fleet management in the 1970 and 1980s.

Similar lightship services were operated in the United States (by the US Coast Guard) and by the Commissioners of Irish Lights in Ireland as well as those on the continent of Europe. It has to be said that in the US lightships were self-propelled.

Many books have been written about lighthouses, their keepers and conditions in which they lived and worked. It is refreshing to see a sister service, that of the lightships so chronicled and it is to be hoped that they will not be forgotten. It is also praiseworthy that the Irish lightsmen, otherwise known as the Wexford Navy have been recognised.

Finally, the author's royalties from the sale of the book will be donated to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI].

Paul Ridgway
London

* 3048kg
** 366ft

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EFFICIENSEA 2: GETTING CONNECTED TO THE FUTURE

By Dr Nick Ward FRIN AFNI CEng CITP
IALA Project Manager for EfficienSea2
Director of Research
General Lighthouse Authorities of Great Britain & Ireland (GLA R&RNAV)

EfficienSea 2 is an EU Horizon 2020 funded project led by the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA), with 32 partners. This three-year Project started in May 2015 and held its mid-term conference in Copenhagen on 8 and 9 November 2016.

'Safe connectivity made easy' were the defining words of the conference . Two platforms -- the Maritime Cloud and the BalticWeb -- were released in BETA versions and demonstrated with a number of services.

There were keynote presentations from Francis Zachariae, Secretary General of IALA on Bringing the Maritime Sector into the Digital Age and from Troels Blicher Danielsen, Deputy Director General of the DMA on How will digitalization and connectivity change shipping and Maritime Authorities?

These were followed by an Introduction to the Maritime Cloud and a demonstration of its core elements -- the identity and service registries. A further keynote from the Comite International Radio-Maritime (CIRM) gave an industry point of view on how new, standardised, digital services would affect suppliers of navigational equipment.

The aim of the conference was to give both industry and other actors outside the project a chance to become familiar with and give feedback on the e-Navigation solutions being developed by EfficienSea2. Project Leader Thomas Christensen from the DMA explained:

"We are very pleased with the chance to showcase our results. We want EfficienSea2 to make the maritime world both safer and more efficient, but in order for that to happen, we need to be in a constructive dialogue with the industry. The first products are starting to materialise, so input is more important than ever."

The BalticWeb was introduced as a platform for e-navigation services. Demonstrations were given of harmonised, digital navigation services, including real-time chart updates, navigational warnings and notices to mariners. Smart wayfinding using data overlays was presented, with optimised routeing on the Baltic Web, using weather and ice prognosis as a way of finding efficient routes, as well as space weather prediction for more accurate navigation. Sea/shore integration was demonstrated, with route sharing ship-to-shore and information sharing between VTS/SRS* for efficient SAR operations.

The conference closed with a presentation from Cobham SATCOM on What will connectivity mean for shipping?

Route sharing ship-to-shore and information sharing between Vessel Traffic Services or Ship Reporting Systems are needed for efficient Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. Photo reproduced by kind permission of Ambrose Greenway (copyright).

Broad range of solutions
The Maritime Cloud was the first thing to be demonstrated at the conference. Consisting of a service registry, an identity registry and a management portal, the Maritime Cloud will make it possible to connect the end user of services with the service providers in a way which is both user friendly and safe.

The participants at the conference could for the first time experience the simple process of registering a ship in the identity registry, a service in the service registry and how the two registers are connected in the Maritime Cloud.

Participants were then introduced to the geographical display/web-based platform BalticWeb, which covers the Baltic Region. On stage, it was demonstrated how a registered user in the Maritime Cloud can sign into BalticWeb and connect to approved services, which will then be displayed in a safe and easy way.

Examples of services that will be included in the Maritime Cloud were also given. Service providers will in the future be free to provide solutions based on certain standards and services, developed by EfficienSea2, such as navigational warnings and satellite images were demonstrated.

Feedback from the industry
More than 170 participants attended the conference and the chance to get feedback was an essential goal for the EfficienSea2 project.

Some participants praised the project for its ambitions, others suggested that the Maritime Cloud should add storage of data as a feature, and many urged the EfficienSea2 project to enhance focus on harmonising standards.

Another feedback point heard throughout the conference was the need for fast implementation of digital ideas in the maritime sector.

"It is time to move from idea and development to implementation" was one of the comments repeated by the participants.

In the days following the conference, the 32 partners included in the project met for a partners' meeting. The conference and the feedback received were discussed and will be used to complete the EfficienSea2 project and ensure the solutions have a long term impact.

The project is set to be completed by May 2018.

* Vessel Traffic Services / Ship Reporting Systems

Paul Ridgway
London

** See related article EfficienSea2 is Demonstrating Major Milestones

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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.

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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

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PIC OF THE DAY : CMA CGM OPAL

French container line's 4,360-TEU container ship CMA CGM OPAL (52,513-dwt, built 2009) enters Cape Town harbour earlier in December. The ship which is deployed on the Africa, India and Oceania (WAX) service, is 259 metres long and 32m wide. She was built at the Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction shipyard in the Philippines. These pictures are by Ian Shiffman

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