Maritime Monthly News Roundup April 2019

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA

NEWS ROUND-UP PORTS

Port authority looking to expand dredger fleet SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority’s Dredging Division is looking to add a new dredger to their fleet and has called for bids for the design, manufacture, assembly, commissioning and delivery of a cutter suction dredger to be based in the Port of Durban.

Three of TNPA’s have been built by the Royal IHC Shipyard (see image of Ilembe trailing suction dredger above) in the Netherlands and one recent tender for a plough dredger was awarded to Port Elizabeth-based Tide Marine Shipyard.

Local shipyards will be vying for for this award which closes on 30 April 2019.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Industry to hold SAMSA accountable for IMO white listing SOUTH AFRICA: Almost 60 percent of the countries currently listed on the International Maritime Organisation’s so-called STCW White List face being culled if recommendations by the organisation’s Sub-committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) are accepted.

A circular issued by the HTW sub-committee in February this year effectively indicates that the IMO intends to cull the parties listed in MSC.1/Circ.1163/Rev.11 from 129 countries down to just 54.

The fact that South Africa is included amongst the culled countries has not gone unnoticed by stakeholders in the local maritime industry who are concerned about the impact that this may have on South African seafarers as well as training providers.

The Society of Master Mariners of South Africa issued a statement of concern this month saying; “This document certainly shows the urgent need for SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) to sort this out as a priority.”

And, according to Acting CEO of SAMSA, Sobantu Tilayi, the Authority intends to address this as a matter of urgency – indicating that they do acknowledge the impending removal of South Africa from the list as a crisis that needs to be avoided.

Tilayi confirms that there is now a plan in place that will be finalised following the conclusions of HTW

meetings scheduled for next week.

“Indications are that the matter will be referred to MSC (Maritime Safety Committee) and that they will have to develop guidelines which will be tabled at HTW in 2020,” he says highlighting how this will provide the country with a respite for a period of one year to rectify its standing.

With two local representatives currently attending the sub-committee meetings in London, Tilayi anticipates that these “assumptions” will be confirmed during the course of next week.

“We will confirm this, together with our entire plan once HTW concludes and we are in possession of the report,” he adds.

Although certain proponents of the local maritime sector are baying for SAMSA’s blood and criticising the Authority for allowing the situation to come to a head, Tilayi denies that the process has been mismanaged.

“You will recall that the regulations we are referring to were signed off in 2013, and it was not immediately apparent that the panel of competent persons from IMO evaluating the South African System were not happy with our approach,” he explains.

South Africa’s identified shortfalls relate to an inadequate Quality Standard System as well as to additions made to the Training and Manning Regulations.

“South Africa sought to use the opportunity of rewriting the regulations (for purposes of Manila Amendments) to also address an issue of integrating our four different training regimes,” says Tilayi explaining that the fishing regime had never been integrated into the STCW and that the seatime of masters as well as engineers on fishing vessels was not recognised for the purpose of reissuing certificates for conventional vessels.

“We had thought we would make the allowance on the regulations in order to solve this problem, but the IMO rejected our report on that basis,” he adds.

Addressing the crisis Tilayi is now assuring the industry that the Authority has fast-tracked a process to rectify the issues. “We had started a project at the end of 2018 that was due to be completed in March 2020 to address the above two matters. This will now be fast tracked to be completed within a period of four months. We are also getting an international consultant who is familiar with the process,” he told Maritime Review Africa.

When asked what the likely immediate to long term impact being dropped from the list would have, Tilayi responded; “I can safely say that we will avoid this eventuality.”

Tilayi adds that they are also addressing the negative findings of an audit undertaken by the European Maritime Safety Authority. “There

Thanks to Operation Phakisa and the fact that shipbuilding is a designated sector, all vessels built by the State need to be locally constructed with a stipulated minimum threshold of 60 percent for local content.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) local content stipulations, the local content of a product is the tender price less the value of imported content and expressed as a percentage.

The tender documents, which were issued last week, call for a 58 m, 500 dwt vessel with a draft of 1.95 m. Deck equipment includes a ladder winch, swing winch and deck crane; and 2,895kW Caterpillar engines are specified.

is work that the training institutions are required to do. This relates mainly to the quality system as well as ensuring that they have adequate capacity that complies with regulations,” he says.

Although South Africa is in good company with countries like the Philippines and the UK also facing the axe, this will not console local stakeholders or indeed South African seafarers if the worst should happen.

There is no doubt that the industry intends to hold SAMSA accountable for ensuring that the country remains on the list and avoids putting its seafarers at risk. There have been a number of worried voices from the sector over the last few years that have pointed to this as a possibility and the Authority will need to take heed to ensure that its naysayers are not proven right.

PUBLISHED BY: More Maximum Media PO BOX 3842 | Durbanville | 7550 | Cape Town | South Africa | Tel: +27 21 914 1157

TRAINING

Prototype aims to improve safety of submariners SOUTH AFRICA: A South African developed and produced prototype that aims to address the shortcomings of the submarine tower escape safety system (TESS) was successfully tested by the SA Navy recently.

The project to develop the improved system was initiated by the SA Navy in 2009 in conjunction with ARMSCOR, the Institute of Maritime Technology and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The successful test was undertaken on board the SAS Manthatisi in water depths of 20m.

The tower escape system allows for two submariners to climb into the conning tower of the submarine at a time, wait for the tower to be flooded and then rise to the surface. The tower is then refilled with air, ready for the next two escapees.

Shortcomings in this two-man escape procedure were discovered during trials conducted after the Class 209 Type 1400 submarines were commissioned. It was found

that the suits worn by submariners, which contain air, tended to force the bottom sailor upwards causing both of the two escapees to get stuck at the hatch opening.

The new system sees a special mechanical rail system fitted on the inside of the tower. Each submariner hooks on to this rail system, below each other. As the tower floods, the rail system keeps the submariners fixed in position, despite the air in their suits. The submariners are then released by means of a hold-trigger and release mechanism that is automated upon opening the tower upper hatch.

This system works even if the submariners are unconscious. The entire procedure takes approximately three to ten seconds for both submariners to surface at a depth of ten metres. The escape cycle is repeated until such time as the complete crew has escaped.

The SA Military Health Service Institute for Maritime Medicine also played an extensive role in the planning phase as well as providing medical support due to the risks associated with quick ascents, such as barotrauma (decompression sickness), hypothermia or carbon monoxide poisoning.

SA Navy submarines. The successful completion of the Tower Escape will also be an additional requirement to qualify as a submariner.

It is envisaged that the TESS will eventually be incorporated into all

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2 APRIL 2019

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA SHIPPING

Ongoing battle over maritime levies continues NIGERIA: The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court, which had exempted the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) from levies payable to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) under the NIMASA Act, Cabotage Act, Marine Environment (Sea Protection Levy) Regulations, and other laws of the federation. The appeal court based its ruling on the fact that NIMASA was not given fair hearing at the lower court.

Honourable Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, who delivered the

judgement, ordered the return of the case to the Federal High Court for fresh trial under a different judge.

competitors. We are corporate cousins working together for the common good of our great country.

Judgements like this only serve to strengthen our institutions and ensure greater bonding.”

According to lead counsel of NIMASA, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the effect of the ruling is that the Federal High Court is ordered to revert to the fundamental issue of fair hearing while NLNG continues to pay the statutory levies, pending another ruling by the lower court on the matter.

The dispute between NLNG and NIMASA is based on the refusal by NLNG to pay three percent of the gross freight on all international outbound and inbound cargo carried by ships chartered by NLNG and its wholly-owned subsidiary company; the refusal by NLNG to pay the two percent surcharge on cabotage trade undertaken by its vessels within 200 nautical miles of

The Director General NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Petersidestated, “NIMASA and NLNG are neither foes nor

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the baselines and Nigerian coastal and inland waters; and the refusal

by NLNG to comply with the Marine Environment (Sea Protection Levy) Regulations of 2012 and the Merchant Shipping (Ship Generated Marine Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2012.

NIMASA commenced an action against NLNG in 2010, but later withdrew the case in 2013 in an attempt to settle out of court.

Following the continued disregard of the provisions of the NIMASA Act and other relevant laws by the NLNG, in May 2013, NIMASA sought to enforce the provisions of the NIMASA Act and Cabotage Act as empowered under the Act, by demanding payment of the charges due from the NLNG, consequent upon which NLNG vessels were detained for non-compliance.

Upon intervention by the Federal Government, through the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), an agreement in principle was adopted, with NLNG undertaking to pay up all outstanding levies and comply with the requirements of the NIMASA Act 2007, the Cabotage Act 2003 and other relevant Regulations at the time. NLNG made a payment of $20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Dollars) and the blockade was lifted.

In a surprising twist, the Agency received a pre-action Notice on the 18 June 2013 from Counsel to NLNG, giving thirty (30) days’ notice of their intention to commence legal action in accordance with Sections 53(2) of the NIMASA Act. This resulted in another blockade on 21 June 2013, during which time various issues were canvassed in Court by the parties.

Meanwhile, there was a truce by the parties under which the following were agreed: NLNG effects payment of all outstanding sums owed to the Agency and henceforth all its vessels, including FOB cargoes, will pay NIMASA levies as and when due as well as other sums as provided under the NIMASA and Cabotage Acts, albeit under protest; NIMASA will lift the detention Orders placed on NLNG vessels and for as long as due payments are effected promptly, NLNG vessels will not be detained; NLNG will ensure that all outstanding FOB payments are made within four months from the date of the Agreement failing which NLNG will assume responsibility for the payments.

The outstanding due payments were made by NLNG on the 6 July 2013 and the blockade was lifted on Saturday, 7 July 2013.

Hearing of the substantive issues continued after which the Federal High Court sometime in 2016 entered judgement in favour of NLNG. The Agency, not satisfied with the judgement, is to immediately appeal against it.

SHIPPING

MARINE ENGINEERING

as well as short terms.

ECGS approved for South African waters

City gets behind unlocking growth in the boat building sector

Developing skills

SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) to accept all types of approved exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) for use in its territorial waters.

Describing the plight as a “cry for help,” one member of the industry noted that time was of the essence.

Vanessa Davidson of the South African Boat Builders Export Council (SABBEX), clarified some of the work that has been undertaken in this regard. “There is a skills gap at the moment,” she said adding that a learnership was in place at False Bay college, but acknowledging that there is still work to be done.

The Clean Shipping Alliance 2020 (CSA 2020) has welcomed the decision which was communicated in an IMO 2020 advisory notice issued in March to shipowners, operators, master mariners and bunker suppliers.

SAMSA says the use of open-loop, closed-loop or hybrid systems are accepted until further notice “as an equivalent arrangement under Regulation 4 of MARPOL Annex VI for compliance with the sulphur limit [which] is currently based on the criteria stipulated in the 2015 Guidelines for Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (resolution MEPC.259(68))”.

The decision means that all ships fitted with EGCS can continue to burn high-sulphur bunker fuel from 2020, and comply with the 0.50% sulphur limit, in South African territorial waters and ports. SAMSA has also approved the burning of MGO, LSFO, LNG and marine biofuels as a way of meeting the impending requirement.

Ian Adams, Executive Director CSA 2020, said: “We are delighted that South Africa has approved the use of open-loop systems in its waters.

The use of EGCS improves substantially local air quality and we hope other ports will come to welcome the technology.

“We encourage all port authorities to seek out the available independent studies that provide detailed analysis of wash water discharges and describe the meaningful health benefits that reduced particle emissions can bring to their regions.”

In the last few years, open loop versions of the technology have been selected for more than 80% of the 2500 that will have EGCS installations by the end of 2019.

“Marine exhaust gas cleaning systems are the best way of reducing shipping’s environmental impact by significantly reducing air pollution whether a ship is at sea or in port,” said Adams.

The port areas that fall under SAMSA include Cape Town, Saldanha Bay, Port Nolloth, Port of Ngqura, East London, Durban, Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth, and Richards Bay.

According to many of the boat yards, however, efforts to encourage growth in the sector must focus on the development of sustainable skills.

SOUTH AFRICA: The City of Cape Town and Invest Cape Town pledged their support to help develop the local boat building sector at a business breakfast held last week.

Given the opportunity to debate some of the issues currently facing the sector, delegates were quick to highlight a number of critical stumbling blocks.

“We want to make Cape Town the ‘go to’ city for boat building in South Africa,” said Alderman James Voss, the City’s Executive Head of Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, explaining that the City aims to identify key sectors that show growth potential.

These include lack of skills, high rental costs in the port and the need to address visa issues for foreigners bringing expertise into the sector.

While the option to create a boat building cluster was raised, the plan would require significant input to ensure that land suitably close to launch facilities could be made available at a reasonable cost.

“We see Cape Town as a hub for this sector. Already 85 percent of all boat building in South Africa is undertaken in Cape Town with a 28 percent growth rate year on year since 2012,” he said.

Acknowledging the issues around land, Lance Greyling, City of Cape Town Director of Enterprise and Investment, said that they would engage with the port to help rectify issues relating to high rental costs

“What can we do as a city to position ourselves as a boat building centre?” he asked.

Seeing the lack of available skills as an opportunity to train people directly for jobs, Greyling said that he was excited to pursue a partnership with the relevant stakeholders to kickstart the process.

The debate around training and skills acquisition prompted a suggestion from the floor that sector pools information relating to in-house skills development and availability of artisans.

“We are training apprentices and are not able to offer work to all of them,” said Jaap de Lange, Managing Director of Damen Shipyards Cape Town as he suggested that other boat builders may be able to take on these interns.

The session ended on a high note with the City of Cape Town pledging to support the sector as well as initiatives such as the Cape Town Boat Show.

OIL & GAS

Full field production launched with second FPSO ANGOLA: Eight months after its sister ship, Kaombo Norte, came on stream, the FPSO Kaombo Sul has been stationed on the Kaombo project to add 115,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and bring the overall production capacity to 230,000 bopd, equivalent to 15% of the country’s production.

The associated gas from Kaombo Sul will be exported to the Angola LNG plant, as part of the Group’s commitment to stop routine flaring.

“Leveraging the experience of Kaombo Norte, Kaombo Sul started up in the best possible conditions. This second FPSO stands out as an excellent example of standardization to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Its start-up will contribute to the Group’s cash flow and production growth in 2019 and beyond,” stated Arnaud Breuillac, President Exploration & Production at Total. “This achievement demonstrates once again Total’s commitment to Angola, as the Group develops short cycle projects on Block 17 in parallel and prepares to drill an exploration well on Block 48.”

The full Kaombo development consists of six fields spread over an area of 800 km2. Gengibre, Gindungo and Caril were connected to the Kaombo Norte FPSO which started up last year, while the three fields, Mostarda, Canela and Louro, have now been connected to Kaombo Sul. (see map) The project comprises a large subsea system including 59 wells (with over 60% of them already drilled), and two FPSO units which were converted from Very Large Crude Carriers.

Kaombo also sets a new record in terms of local content in Angola as 20% of the 110 million project hours were worked locally.

Total operates Block 32 with a 30% participating interest, along with Sonangol P&P (30%), Sonangol Sinopec International 32 Limited (20%), Esso Exploration & Production Angola (Overseas) Limited (15%) and Galp Energia Overseas Block 32 B.V. (5%).

4 APRIL 2019

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA BRIEFS

Fisheries protection given a boost with training MAURITIUS: A total of 18 newly-recruited Fisheries Protection Officers were awarded certificates last Friday, after having successfully completed an Induction Course during March. The award ceremony was held at the Fisheries Training and Extension Centre in Pointe aux Sables.

The induction course offered a platform for the Officers to have an overview of the Ministry’s mission, vision and objectives as well as the work being carried out by the Fisheries Protection Service (FPS).

Following this course, they will be provided practical training on field duties.

of tugboat captains will be part of their preparation for the larger container vessels, which are expected to call port in Tema when the new terminal opens in the summer of 2019

Extending maritime cooperation to 2021

Repairs to tanker berth completed ahead of schedule

GHANA: Denmark and Ghana have cooperated on e-navigation solutions, implementation of international regulations and training of tugboat captains since 2015. Last week, the strategic sector cooperation was extended until 2021.

SOUTH AFRICA: Repairs to the Tanker Berth at the Port of Port Elizabeth were successfully completed eight days ahead of schedule. The berth was closed on 18 February 2019 to enable repairs to be carried out on the corroded steel structures supporting its access walkway.

The second phase will further enhance e-navigation solutions, support implementation of international maritime regulations and train tugboat captains in advanced simulators in Denmark. The training

Following the successful com-

pletion, Transnet National Ports Authority thanked the engineering team, the contractor, the oil companies and the South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) for prioritising the safety of operations at the Port of PE. that ensured the uninterrupted fuel supply during the shutdown

Commitment to responsible operations SEYCHELLES: The Seychelles Petroleum Company (Seypec) has joined the World Ocean Company. SEYPEC provides the storage and supply of petroleum products to the domestic and international market, the bunkering of vessels, aviation refuelling operations and the management of its shipping arm. Over the past three decades, SEYPEC has grown to become an important strategic part of Seychelles’ economy

New face and upgraded capacity for fishing port MOZAMBIQUE: Rehabilitation and expansion works were recently completed at the fishing port of Beira. Equipped with high technology, funded by the government and partners, this port is the largest infrastructure of its kind in the country and one of the largest in the African continent.

Now 16 industrial fishing vessels to be landed simultaneously. The storage capacity of fish in the imposing complex is going from the current 300 tons per day to 900 tons

A pledge to local content NIGERIA: Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) and Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) on Friday signed off the approved plan for Nigeria Content (NC) for NLNG’s Train 7 project which will ensure the delivery of value and benefits to the Nigerian economy.

The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote, in his remarks said the expected job explosion from Train 7 is banked on the Nigerian Content Plan, which provides for 100 percent engineering of all non-cryogenic areas in-country

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Flood destroys fish tanks MOZAMBIQUE: More than eightyfive tons of captive fish are reported as lost in Zambézia following the floods that destroyed one hundred and sixty-nine fish tanks. The floods also destroyed support infrastructures linked to the aquaculture project.

The information was released by the provincial director of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, in Zambézia, this Monday in Quelimane, at the opening ceremony of the 2019 fishing season

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5 APRIL 2019

BRIEFS

Seeking closer ties between navies NIGERIA: Calling on the Nigerian Naval Headquarters, the Indian High Commissioner, Abhay Thakur has called for closer working relationship between the Nigerian Navy (NN) and the Indian Navy (IN).

During the visit, the High Commissioner called for increased collaboration and cooperation between the NN and the IN in the areas of training, hydrography, security in the Gulf of Guinea and in developing platforms such as training ships and landing ship tanks for the NN.

Fishing season closure declared SIERRA LEONE: The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources together with its key stakeholders (scientific, Technical and Economic Committee (STEC), the Sierra Leone lndustrial Fishing Companies Association and the Sierra Leone Artisanal Fishermen Consortium) have declared April a closed month for fishing. The closed season will last from 1 to 30 April and will include a ban on industrial fishing as well as a ban of the export of from both industrial and fish processing plants by land, sea and air.

Addressing gender issues in the maritime industry WMU: Over 350 participants from 70 countries gathered at the World Maritime University (WMU) for the WMU Empowering Women in the Maritime Community Conference from last week to address the gender gap in the maritime, oceans, ports, fishing and related industries.

Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU stated, “With this year’s World Maritime Day theme “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community”, the sun is shining on women for 365 days in 2019. We must capture this exceptional momentum and ride this historic wave to make a real impact in an industry that is still largely male dominated.

The numbers of womens remain at unacceptably low levels.

Modern simulator facility officially launched NIGERIA: The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) officially opened their Ultra-Modern Marine and Harbour Simulation Centre at Dockyard Apapa which will be used to train port personnel locally instead of sending them abroad.

The Simulation Centre is expected to engender greater operational efficiency in the activities of the organisation with the expectant patronage from within Africa and further afield.

Managing Director of NPA , Hadiza Bala Usman stated that the commissioning of the Centre Signals the Federal Government’s firm resolve to compete in the global maritime space.

gets of 240,000 tonnes of sand per year, after successfully overcoming challenges.

This computer-controlled sand bypass system consists of jet pumps which mimic the natural longshore drift of sand along the coast. Sand is captured and pumped via pipelines to a discharge point on the opposite end of the port. Both capturing and discharging occur in the wave zones.

The annual net longshore transport rate within Algoa Bay varies from 240,000 to 320,000 tonnes per year.

This is the average quantity of sand required to be bypassed by the system annually.

Collaborating for improved security GHANA: The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea Secretariat received a visit from a team from the Centre for Maritime Law and Security (CEMLAWS) Africa to share each organization’s activities and to discuss possible avenues for collaboration.

Port security under scrutiny during training exercise

CEMLAWS Africa is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit institution based in Ghana with a continental and global reach that helps improve ocean governance and maritime security in Africa.

GHANA: Tema Port Security and Emergency Services have expressed readiness to deal with any threat of terror attack following a successful counter terrorism simulation exercise dubbed ‘Exercise Harbour Shield.

Industry agrees to additional levies SOUTH AFRICA: According to the South African Maritime Safety Authority’s report on the workshop held to discuss South Africa’s capacity to respond to emergencies, industry participants were in support of the intention to impose special levies to boost the Maritime Fund as a primary resource for maritime risk related matters.

Undertaken every 18 months, the simulation exercise, was initiated by the security department of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority. The exercise aims to ensure compliance with International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code to test and enhance coordination procedures and to respond to likely security threats to Port facilities.

“The Security Gurus in the port have assessed all the shortfalls in the system,” explained Human Resource Manager of Tema Port, Samuel Adjar.

In related news, the Department of Transport released the names of the two bidders in the pre-qualification round to supply the country with two Emergency Tow Vessels along the coast. The two companies are Linsen Nambi and African Marine Solutions (AMSOL) which operates the current ETV.

Developing a Regional Maritime Service MAURITIUS: Stressing on the need for a Regional Maritime Service for the Indian Ocean Commission and East African countries as already discussed with the President of Mozambique and the President of Madagascar, the Prime Minister of Mauritius last week underscored that this endeavour would get a major spur if supported by Kenya.

Getting behind global bid to stop shark finning SOUTH AFRICA: Representatives of academia, retail, fisheries and the NPO sector have signed an anti-shark finning letter in a bid to stop finning from being “tolerated” and continuing within Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified fisheries.

Pravind Kumar Jugnauth told a visiting delegation from Kenya that this would be a game changer for regional economic integration and that Mauritius was willing to take the lead.

According to a press release from Wildtrust, an NPO in South Africa, signatories include the Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries as well as retail group, Woolworths.

Protecting the marine environment

Signatories believe that the MSC’s policy on shark finning should not certify or maintain the certification of a fishery when there is objective, verifiable evidence that indicates shark finning is taking place.

Port sand bypass system proves a success SOUTH AFRICA: The Port of Ngqura, the first port in the world to have a fixed jet pump sand bypass system, is meeting its stringent dredging tar-

mental impact of dumping of certain substances, including dredged material and effluents from desalination plants at sea

Piracy surge cause for alarm in Gulf of Guinea AFRICA: The Gulf of Guinea represented a high number of piracy and armed robbery attacks at sea, with 22 incidents reported in the first quarter of 2019. The region also accounted for all of the worldwide crew kidnappings as 21 crew members were kidnapped across five separate incidents.

Incidents were reported in the coastal countries, of Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria and Togo in the first quarter of 2019.

Nigerian waters remain risky for vessels, especially the port of Lagos where four incidents have been reported.

New cruise terminal will improve tourism for Tanzania TANZANIA: The government said this month that it will construct a cruise terminal at the Dar es Salaam port following increasing number of cruise ships calling at the port.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Nature Resources and Tourism, Dr Aloyce Nzuki, announced the plan when receiving Silver Whisper cruise ship that docked at the Dar port this month with more than 350 tourists.

He said construction of the special terminal would be done during the on-going expansion of the port and new facility would enable handling of tourists without disrupting activities of handling other cargo ships at the port.

Aquaculture to boost jobs in fishing sector GHANA: Speaking to the media last week, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Elizabeth Afoley Quaye, said that Government expects to create additional 80,000 direct and indirect jobs along the aquaculture value chain.

The jobs are to be created under the Aquaculture for Food and Jobs (AFJ) of the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, with the James Camp Prison fish farm becoming the first beneficiary.

ALGERIA: IMO training on the international treaty covering waste dumping at sea, the London Protocol, took place last week for Algerian government officials as well as for participants from shipping companies and port authorities.

She added that “the Prison was supported with 3,000 fingerlings, and 235 bags of fish feed in January, 2019. Two (2) additional ponds of 400 m2 size each are under construction as part of the AFJ.”

The workshop aimed to enable cooperation between different sectors.

French Naval vessels dock in Port of Cape Town

Participants examined ways of effectively assessing the environ-

SOUTH AFRICA: The Port of Cape Town hosted two French navy ves-

6 APRIL 2019

VESSELS | CREWING | TRAINING MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA sels last week carrying French task force “Jeanne d’Arc” 2019 which had just returned from providing humanitarian assistance to those badly affected by Cyclone Idai in Mozambique.

The ships – landing helicopter dock (LHD) Tonnerre and stealth frigate La Fayette – arrived in Cape Town on Friday, 12 April and departed again on Friday, 19 April.

The annual Jeanne d’Arc mission is a five-month French Navy operational deployment of an amphibious battle group using two vessels.

Africa port a finalist in IAPH awards KENYA: The Kenyan Port Authority has been shortlisted in the International Association of Ports and Harbours Awards which will be announced in May. The Authority has invested enormously in improving education and health facilities in each of the Coastal Counties aimed at assisting and developing the communities since 2000 when the Authority drew a more structured programme of reaching out to the communities to address specific socio-economic needs.

Playing games with fishery conservation SOUTH AFRICA: WWF-SASSI have released a new activity book and a downloadable pack of cards to teach kids more about fish and sustainable seafood.

The book – titled “Let’s play card games and learn about fish” – is the work of WWF-SASSI with the support of the UN One Planet network. This exciting creation should be used in conjunction with the free WWF-SASSI app which is regularly updated with information about the sustainable seafood list.

Navy nabs smugglers and confiscates rice NIGERIA: The Nigerian Navy has arrested seven suspected smugglers and seized 470 bags of rice according to a news item on Business and Maritime West Africa.

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Five of the suspects were intercepted on a wooden boat by the Navy undertaking a routine patrol. The Commanding Officer, FOB, Navy Cpt. Toritseju Vincent, who disclosed this while handing over the suspects and seized items to the Nigeria Customs, said the Navy was committed to ridding the Nigeria waterways of illegal activities.

Supporting capacity building in oil and gas GHANA: Aker Energy, operator of the Deepwater Tano Cape Three Point (DWT/CTP) Block offshore Ghana, has announced a $4.5 million support for the Accelerated Oil and Gas Capacity-building (AOGC) Programme, a Ghana government scheme designed to enhance the competencies and expertise of Ghanaians in the oil and gas sector.

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New partnership for marine engine supply launched SOUTH AFRICA: Cape Town-based Peninsula Power Products (PPP) officially launched the Baudouin range of engines into the local market last week when they invited boat yards and owners to view the range of available engines at their premises last week.

With the Baudouin brand now within their stable, PPP has significantly expanded the range of engines, auxiliaries and generators that they supply. With engines in the 130hp to 1,650hp range now available, PPP looks forward to being able to meet the needs of vessels up to 60m.

Negotiations between the two companies began last June.

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PORTS

South African ports woo cruise industry SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Safety Maritime Authority (SAMSA) is leading a delegation of 10 organisations exhibiting at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference, the cruise industry’s most significant worldwide event, in Florida, USA, this week in a bid to attract more cruise ships and liners to South Africa.

The 140m2 South African Pavilion at Seatrade is showcasing the offerings of the KZN Cruise Terminal, the

V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Cruise Terminal and Durban Tourism. The Eastern Cape Provincial Government and the Department of Trade and Industry are also participating.

South Africa’s share of the global cruise market is estimated at less than 1 % and SAMSA acting CEO Sobantu Tilayi says that the investment in Seatrade aims to to showcase the full range of South Africa’s offering as a cruise destination.

“The cruise tourism industry is the only growth area in the broader maritime shipping sector. It is envisaged to double in size over the next eight to 10 years with all the order books of the shipping yards full until 2027. But while the global cruise industry is growing exponentially, South Africa is not reaping its full share of the benefits.

“Our share of the market is miniscule and this is mainly due to lack of infrastructure and lack of action. South Africa has rectified the infrastructure issue through the development of two world

Cooking up interest in science and technology SOUTH AFRICA: The Cook for Cause competition hosted by ArcelorMittal Transformation Centre in Vredenburg last month aimed to promote community interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation (STEMI).

Teams were invited to cook the best potjiekos in town and employees from Transnet National Port’s Authority’s Port of Saldanha rose to the challenge.

While the team made-up of Christo Titus, Samantha Armino, Sibongile Mbonyana and Willem Morris did not win, their dish did earn them a second-place finish.

class terminals in Cape Town and Durban. Now SAMSA is proactively marketing South Africa as a cruise destination.”

Tilayi says SAMSA had opted to take the lead and manage South Africa’s presence at Seatrade because it was determined to fulfill its mandate to promote South Africa’s maritime interests.

“There is a lot of opportunity to create jobs and to grow the maritime economy. Unfortunately, South Africa has not fully exploited these opportunities. SAMSA is determined to accelerate the process by, among other things, ensuring South Africa is prominent at all the necessary global gatherings, such as Seatrade, and by building on our Ships Register, which we have also been actively doing,” he says.

Tilayi says SAMSA is confident SA’s presence at Seatrade will communicate that South Africa is open for business as a cruising destination.

“South Africa has a world-class cruise offering, but we have not communicated that effectively in the past. We are rectifying that oversight with our presence at Seatrade. We are saying to the world, Come to South Africa; it really is a world in one country. And it is your loss if you never visit.”

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA OIL & GAS

exploring these blocks.”

More exploration off Namibia on the cards

ExxonMobil will operate blocks 1710 and 1810 and hold a 90 percent interest; NAMCOR will hold a 10 percent interest. ExxonMobil will assign 5 percent of its interest to a local Namibian company.

NAMIBIA: ExxonMobil will increase its exploration acreage in Namibia with the addition of approximately 7 million net acres following the signing of an agreement with the government of Namibia and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) for blocks 1710 and 1810, and farm-in agreements with NAMCOR for blocks 1711 and 1811A. The blocks extend from the shoreline to about 215 km offshore Namibia in water depths up to 4,000 metres. ExxonMobil plans to begin exploration activities in 2019, including acquisition of seismic data and analysis.

“These agreements provide ExxonMobil with an opportunity to explore for hydrocarbons using advanced technology in the frontier Namibe basin,” said Mike Cousins, senior vice president of exploration and new ventures at ExxonMobil. “We will employ our significant upstream experience and technological expertise and work in close collaboration with NAMCOR in

ExxonMobil will be operator of blocks 1711 and 1811A, and will hold an 85 percent interest.

NAMCOR will retain a 15 percent interest.

PORTS

New helicopters for pilot transfer on order

TNPA to improve ship turnaround times and the overall reliability of its marine service at the Ports of Durban and Richards Bay.

SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) expects to take delivery of two new helicopters

by June this year. The helicopters will be stationed in Richards Bay and Durban to undertake pilot transfers.

“This in turn will have benefits for our customers, the shipping lines and the global competitiveness of our ports,” she said.

A deal to acquire the helicopters was confirmed this month with Italian company, Leonardo to provide two AgustaWestland helicopters with a value of R250 million.

“These are presently the only ports in our complementary port system which use helicopters to transfer marine pilots onto and off visiting vessels. We are, however, looking to offer the service at our Port of Cape Town as well, to counter

TNPA’s Acting Chief Executive, Nozipho Mdawe says that the the two new helicopters would help

weather related disruptions there, where major swells impact on the availability of service during stormy conditions,” she said.

The contract for the new helicopters includes a 25 percent supplier development obligation by the global supplier to ensure that the contract creates socio-economic benefits within South Africa. These would include job creation, skills development and where possible use of local, empowered companies and local materials or parts.

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FISHING

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Mauritius sets its eyes on the small pelagic fishery

Celebrating conservation

MAURITIUS: The fisheries sector is one of the mainstays of the Blue economy of Mauritius and is expected to undergo profound transformation driven by the country’s largely untapped marine resources, market and product diversification, technological development, trade policies and sustainable development.

This statement was made by the Minister of Ocean Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping,Premdut Koonjoo, speaking at the opening of the Southwest Indian Ocean Fisheries Commission Working Group Meeting (SWIOFC) on Small Pelagic Fisheries being held from 9 to 12 April 2019.

In his address, the Minister indicated that the fisheries sector, which plays a role in poverty alleviation, food security and wealth generation, is threatened by trans-boundary challenges such as overfishing, marine pollution, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing and impacts of climate change. Indeed, the policy response to trans-boundary challenges is closely tied to the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, he emphasised.

Speaking about the small pelagic fishery in the SWIOFC Area of Competence, Minister Koonjoo stated that it represents an important source of protein and livelihood for coastal communities of the region.

Despite their relatively low market value, the pelagic fish are at times dominating in the catches and is important to both the industrial and artisanal sectors, he observed.

For Mauritius, the Minister said, surveys in the past have revealed there is potential for exploitation of small pelagic in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Mauritius. Scientific research should be pursued with regards to the abundance of small pelagic in that particular area to enable industrial exploitation, he added.

The Working Group Meeting of the SWIOFC will be followed with the holding, from 10 to 13 September 2019, of the Working Party for Collaboration and Cooperation in Tuna Fisheries of the Southwest Indian Ocean in Mauritius. The Working Party will focus on discussions on the sustainable management of tuna resources in the waters of the SWIOFC Member States

SOUTH AFRICA: A Marine Protected Area (MPA) Celebratory Dinner was held at the dockside, next to the WILDOCEANS’ Research Vessel Angra Pequena in Durban on 16 April, to celebrate the announcement of 20 new and expanded MPAs by South Africa’s Cabinet at the end of last year, and to honour all those who played a role in the expansion.

The event, hosted by WILDOCEANS (a programme of the WILDTRUST) and the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), highlighted the bold action taken in October last year, bringing the total protection of the oceans around South Africa up to 5 percent from 0.4 percent.

part, and if ever there was a need for partnering and partnerships in their different forms and working together to make it happen it’s now and this is the time.”

“It is now clear that cabinet supported and agreed to 20 MPAs that would be established on reaching the 5 percent target and what it means is that there is further work to bed them down and this is the process that is underway right now,” commented Judy Beaumont, Deputy Director General Oceans & Coasts of the Department of Environmental Affairs.

“We don’t celebrate enough. We don’t stop, pause and take time to celebrate and reflect on achievements,” said Beaumont.

The event was indeed a celebration – an emotional video was shown depicting the journey of arriving at 5% and all the heroes and heroines that played a part. The late Minister Edna Molewa was also acknowledged, and a tribute was played linked to her role in paving the way for the 5% MPA announcement.

Dr Jean Harris of WILDOCEANS thanked a list of countless partners including Oceans 5, WWF-SA, Ocean Unite, the African Coelacanth Ecosystems Programme (ACEP), DEA and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) for their contributions in making the 5 percent announcement possible.

Members from a youth movement called Youth4MPAs performed a powerful poem called ‘I met a woman yesterday’ which spoke about South Africa’s oceans that are undergoing a healing and rejuvenating process as we increase its protection.

Addressing the guests Judy Beaumont said “Whether you’re a researcher, an activist part of a community organisation, a non-government organisation or industry organisation, you’re here because you have an interest in MPAs, you’re here because you’re playing a part, you have played a part, you’re here because you will be playing a

Another youth group called ‘Change Agents’ performed a funky and unique rendition of the South African National Anthem in collaboration with local performer Lauren Laing, which they actually

PORTS

Acknowledging health and safety in port operations SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority at the Port of Durban chose Friday, 17 May to rally port employees together for World Day for Safety & Health at Work, the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) global day usually observed on 28 April each year. Postponing its own observation to a weekday event allowed the port authority to reach more employees about this important issue.

This year is also the 100th anniversary of the World Health and Safety Day at Work.

Port Manager at the Port of Durban, Nokuzola Nkowane, said: “This year the International Labour Organisation’s theme for World Day for Safety and Health is ‘A Safe and Healthy Future of Work’. This theme is about celebrating

10 APRIL 2019

filmed and submitted as part of the News24 Anthem Project Competition.

The evening was closed with a preview of ‘Our Oceans’, a WILDOCEANS feature film produced by Off the Fence and supported by the KZN Film Commission and the African Coelacanth Ecosystems Programme (ACEP). ‘Our Oceans’ set to be released in July this year profiles marine expeditions aboard the RV Angra Pequena, raising awareness and knowledge about South Africa’s spectacular marine ecosystems, charismatic animals, as well as the learning journey of the scientists and ‘Ocean Stewards’ on-board.

“This has been and continues to be an exciting and challenging journey that is fundamentally about collectively protecting our extraordinary ocean heritage. Each one of us has a role to play each one of us is part of this journey. Let’s celebrate the progress and look ahead and make the walk towards making the MPAs a reality,” concluded Beaumont.

ABOVE: Tamryn Stephenson, Laure van Nijkerk, Jean Harris, Nicola Gerrard and Ruth Mthembu at the MPA Celebratory event. (PHOTO: Casey Pratt)

and building on the wealth of knowledge and action accumulated over 100 years, as we get ready to face and appreciate the changes brought forward by the future of work, such as changing work arrangements, technology, demographics, globalisation, climate change, and other drivers.”

Port of Durban employees were invited to view real-world first aid simulations and vessel evacuation procedures alongside the port’s N-shed passenger terminal.

There were demonstrations of the correct protocol for dealing with electrical incidents in the port environment Nkowane said TNPA was striving to reduce disabling injuries in the workplace through programmes such as its ZERO HARM initiative.

“We must all commit to improving our knowledge of occupational safety, health and environment in the workplace so that we can protect ourselves, our colleagues and those we come into contact with in the Port of Durban,” she said.

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA PORTS

Floods wreak havoc in the Port of Durban SOUTH AFRICA: The Port of Durban is awash with plastic and debris following the heavy rains and floods in the region.

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) at the Port of Durban has commenced a major clean-up to remove the large volume of waste and vegetation from the port after the recent heavy rains and flooding in KwaZulu-Natal.

The adverse weather caused the usual deluge of plastic and other debris to flow into the port, leaving behind an unsightly scene.

Acting Durban Port Manager, Nokuzola Nkowane, said all Transnet Operating Divisions were carrying out assessments to establish the full extent of damage caused by the storm.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the recent heavy rains and flooding. We would also like to appeal to the public to please help curb plastic pollution as this causes huge problems when the debris flows into the harbour,” she said.

She said the port’s pollution control teams were on site tackling the debris within port waters, aided by clean-up teams from SpillTech, Drizit and ZMK Enterprises. Progress is slow due to the sheer volume of material that still continues to wash in.

The debris included large logs that posed a threat to the safe navigation of the harbour craft which are used to guide vessels safely in and around the port. The port has been fully operational however, the ingress of waste impacted on vessel movements and as of midday on Wednesday three vessels were unable to berth or sail in the Maydon Wharf precinct, Nkowane confirmed.

system within the catchment,” said Nkowane.

“The combined catchment area of the rivers, canals and storm-water drainage systems that drain into the port is over 200km2 in size.

The unfortunate reality is the port waters are on the receiving end of the large volume of litter, effluent and sewage that is discharged into the storm-water reticulation

“We must all take responsibility for the well-being of the ocean and coastal environment, and as TNPA we want to help create awareness and promote sustainable practices for the benefit of present and future generations,” she said.

TNPA has been in regular engagements with the eThekwini Municipality regarding the interventions required to address the ingress of waste and effluent into the port from the municipal stormwater network which drains a significant portion of the Durban metropolitan area.

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