MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA
NEWS ROUND-UP OCTOBER 2019
SHIPPING
PORTS
Tugs redeployed for improved port efficiencies SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has redeployed another of its new tugs to the Port of Cape Town to enhance marine efficiency and enable the port to cater for increased demand from bigger commercial vessels. Tug Umbilo went into service recently after being redeployed from the Port of Durban. The Port of Cape Town is now being serviced by two 70 TBP tugs, one 55 TBP and two 40TBP tugs.
South African-owned chemical tanker enters into service SOUTH AFRICA: Nduna Maritime and Sasol have entered into a R400 million enterprise and supplier development (ESD) funding agreement through the Sasol Siyakha Trust, in a chemical tanker. The specialised chemical tanker, named Bow Cecil, is the very first Republic of South Africa flagged vessel that will transport chemicals to international markets registered to carry the South African flag. SPECIFICATIONS: LOA: 193.1 m BREADTH: 32.2 m GRT: 23,230 mt TANKS: 47 “We are particularly proud of this landmark agreement, as it is a
significant investment into localising and diversifying our supply chain. As a global producer of a number of chemical products, we supply numerous markets around the world with products made in South Africa. Through Nduna Maritime, we are extending our value chain participation through a wholly owned South African business,” said Vuyo Kahla, Executive Vice President: Advisory, Assurance and Supply Chain, Sasol Limited. Vusi Mazibuko, Mnambithi Group Executive Chairman said, “We are excited about the acquisition and have long term plans to own and operate our own tankers. We also have plans to expand our fleet in both liquid bulk and dry bulk vessels which will see us further deepen South African ownership of the mari-
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time industry. The vessel currently handles outbound shipments of chemicals into South East Asia, the Middle East, and Europe for Sasol and other companies.” Sasol spends approximately R1.8 billion a year on shipping from South Africa to global markets. As the owner of Bow Cecil, Nduna Maritime will leverage this asset to increase its capacity to ship more chemical products to markets concentrated in Asia. To date the Sasol Siyakha Trust has disbursed R426.7 million since 2007 to 91 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). Mazibuko added, “We believe that through this ground-breaking project, we have heeded the call to address the aspirations of our government’s National Development Plan by increasing investment in the country’s ship registry as well as by creating an enabling environment for the improvement of human capital and skills development in the sector.”
Built in 2017, UMBILO was the sixth of nine powerful new vessels to roll off the production line as part of the R1.4 billion tug construction contract being executed by Durban ship builder Southern African Shipyards. The Port of Cape Town also took delivery of tug USIBA last year, originally intended for the Port of Richards Bay. Cape Town Port Manager, Mpumi Dweba-Kwetana, said, “As a multi-port authority TNPA constantly reviews its resources and adjusts accordingly across the system. The Port of Cape Town’s old fleet of tugs had only a 30- to 40-ton bollard pull which was a disadvantage in servicing larger vessels, especially in challenging weather conditions. With USIBA and UMBILO, which are both 70-ton bollard pull tugs, we have a greater ability to improve operational efficiency, speed up vessel turnaround times and reduce service delays even when servicing much larger commercial vessels. This will enhance the port’s competitiveness.”
“Sasol, as a company proudly rooted in our South African heritage, is committed to making a significant contribution to South Africa’s economic transformation. We believe that, through enabling players to participate in our value chain, we catalyse further economic growth,” added Kahla.
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TRAINING
Springs Cadets excel in seamanship training SOUTH AFRICA: Six sea cadets and one officer from Training Ship Springs of the South African Sea Cadets were recently selected to attend a specialised training course in Durban hosted by their fellow sea cadets of Training Ship Tiburon. During the September school holidays, the cadets and officer were trained at the Grindrod Shipping Training Academy in the Basic Elements of Sea Survival, First Aid, Fire Fighting and Rope-work. The contents of this and all their courses are based on the syllabus prescribed by the SA Maritime Qualifications Code, and are a requirement before any person is allowed to work on-board any ship, and to have such a certificate at this age is a tremendous boost to any person contemplating a career at sea.
The discipline and enthusiasm that these cadets displayed so impressed the Grindrod Shipping Training Academy staff, they offered two of the cadets free entry to the Short Range Marine Communication course they offer, valued at over R 7,500 each. Cadet Leading Seaman Akeel Brown and Cadet Able Seaman Julian Hoole are currently still busy with this course and will compete it in January of next year at the next contact session.
The South Africa Sea Cadets is a non-profit organisation dedicated to training and preparing school-going boys and girls for a career in the maritime industry. The youth of South Africa are in desperate need of support, direction and a safe place to grow and develop. They face many issues including lack of role models, crime, drug abuse and unemployment. By joining the Sea Cadets, many of these needs and issues can be positively addressed. Training Ship Springs (known as TS Springs) has been in existence since 1916, and is run by adult volunteers.
The cadets and officer also underwent a Harbour Craft Course at the Sail Africa Youth Development Foundation during this period. Considering that some of these cadets had never even seen the sea in their lives before, is testament to the training they receive that they could successfully complete these difficult courses.
PORTS
Superyacht first for Nelson Mandela Bay
All young adults between the ages
PHOTO ABOVE: Front Row: Midshipman Charné Hand, Cadet Seaman Keabetswe Maphakela. Cadet Seaman Kgaugeo Maisela, Cadet Leading Seaman Akeel Brown. Back Row: Cadet Able Seaman Tiaan Muller, Cadet Able Seaman Julian Hoole, Cadet Able Seaman David Doller
of 13 and 17 are invited to join the Sea Cadets and experience “Serious Fun”, impacting on their lives in a positive way by developing confidence, leadership, team player skills, positive habits, adaptable thinking and motivation. TS Springs meet every Saturday at the Springs Central Scout Hall in Colliery Road, Lodeyko.
COMPANY NEWS
SOUTH AFRICA: The Superyacht Aquijo’s docking in the Port of Port Elizabeth will go down in history as its first ever visit to the Nelson Mandela Bay.
Service provider for Satcom announced SOUTH AFRICA: Anchora Enterprises has been appointed as the official Service Provider for Southern Africa by global satellite communications brand, KVH.
Aquijo is a first-class sailing vessel designed to cruise around the world. Owned by a European businessman, she measures 86m in length and is the largest high-performance yacht in the world. Built through a first-time partnership between Oceanco and Vitters, she is not merely a motoryacht with sails, her twin 90-metre masts carrying identical 1,192-square meter mainsails.
From ship-to-shore communications, fleet management to crew welfare, the maritime industry has seen a significant increase in the demand for Satcom globally. “Today’s ship owners are recognising the importance of connectivity to improve operational efficiency, safety and crew retention. It has become a necessity for seafarers to have better communication with their loved ones, as well as access to news and entertainment,” says Keith Govender, Anchora Enterprises Managing Director. Govender adds: “The addition of KVH to our Satcom portfolio offers our clients access to premium, end-to-end connectivity solutions, as well as first-class service and support by our highly skilled technical team.”
With all up, including code sail, her total sail area leaps to a staggering 5,051 square meters. The enormity of the project resulted in items such as shrouds, winches and jib sheets being custom made. The clean modern interior, designed by Dolker & Voges, was designed to be flexible with multi-purpose spaces and her large windows provide light and a connection to the outdoor spaces providing an all round feel of the ocean.
Anchora Enterprises’ growing team has over 140 years of combined maritime industry experience, including extensive experience in the supply, installation and support of KVH products. KVH Industries Regional Sales Manager (Africa), Bron Sykstus, is pleased to announce the appointment: “KVH offers clients a truly global sales and support network. It is key to identify regional service providers that understand the local market’s needs and challenges, and are well-equipped to offer the high level of support that KVH represents. We are pleased to announce the appointment of Anchora Enterprises as our official Service Provider for Southern Africa, and we look forward to continue delivering world-class solutions to the industry.”
Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) Port Manager for the Port of PE, Rajesh Dana, said “The visit of the luxurious superyacht to the Port of Port Elizabeth reinforces the Port’s vision of being a “World Class Smart People’s Port” and promoting the increasing presence of maritime leisure and recreational activities in Nelson Mandela Bay.” Dana added, “It is indeed an honour to be visited by this charming superyacht ahead of the 2019/20 Cruise Liner Season launch, paving the way for similar yachts to visit our beautiful city and sparking an interest in our residents to visit the port.”
KVH is a global leader in maritime satellite communications, delivering highspeed global coverage, flexible connectivity solutions and a vast selection of licensed content. KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband satellite network is the world’s leading maritime VSAT service by units fielded.
Aquijo spent 2018 in South America, Patagonia and the South Pacific Islands. She later set sail to New Zealand and in the past five months has visited Vanuatu, Solomon Island, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. As she is constantly on the move, she does not have a “home port”. The crew is international, with several South Africans on board.
“We are proud to be associated with a world-leading Satcom brand and honoured to represent KVH in Southern Africa. Congratulations to our team on this significant achievement,” says Keith.
2 OCTOBER 2019
MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA Maritime Chamber commits to expanding opportunities to small businesses SOUTH AFRICA: After taking time to consider their mandate for a more inclusive industry since establishing themselves as a NPO in 2016, the Eastern Cape Maritime Business Chamber (ECMBC) was officially launched at the Nelson Mandela Bay Yacht Club. In his keynote address, Chairperson of the Chamber, Unathi Sonti, noted
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The ECMBC aims to prioritise collaboration aimed at unlocking opportunities for black empowerment and access to commercial maritime ventures to accelerate economic growth of the Eastern Cape. “We will not waste time in conducting new research or studies on the economic spin-offs in the maritime industry,” he told guests at the inauguration explaining that many such international studies already exist and that the objective is now to implement these lessons locally for the advancement of their members.
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that the billions of investments that had been attracted through Operation Phakisa were not benefited emerging small businesses and particularly black-owned businesses.
Describing existing business as gatekeepers that are trying to protect their monopolies, Sonti believes that the “cake is big enough for us all” and that more consideration should be given to consistent monitoring of the maritime space to allow fair access for all. “We are sending a strong voice to those who always tell us that the sea is an international space and that they don’t need to comply too any B-BBEE Codes. If government departments together with SAMSA, Transnet and the Ports Regulator of South Africa are not going to take action, we are going to regulate this industry ourselves.” Despite these strong sentiments, Sonti also expressed a willingness to work with government and relevant authorities to facilitate ocean sector growth. He also committed to working with the Eastern Cape Black Fishers Association to fight for access to new fishing quotas in international waters. In addition, ECMBC has identified marine tourism as an opportunity for the region. According to his speech, some stumbling blocks have been encountered in this regard, but the intention is to focus on a sustainable approach to exploit this sector of the blue economy. The membership of ECMBC is open to all entities according to the South African Companies Act 2008 as either Individual/Small Business members or Corporate Members.
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INDUSTRY
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DEFENCE & FUEL
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Contact our local representative in South Africa for more information: Tel: +27 21 527 7040 Fax: +27 21 527 7050 Mobile: +27 82 550 4887 Email: larst@allsurvey.co.za Web: www.allsurvey.co.za
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3 OCTOBER 2019
The leadership team consists of: Chairperson: Unathi Sonti Deputy Chairperson: Xhanti Lamani Secretary: Ayanda Yani Deputy Secretary: Nondumiso Mfenyana Treasurer: Nonceba Kwaza Organiser: Lungisa January Deputy Organiser: Buyile Soya
VESSELS | CREWING | TRAINING BRIEFS
Preparing for IMO 2020 Sulphur cap policy
We not only supply Offshore Support Vessels, we also provide vessel crewing solutions to the Offshore Shipping Industry.
GHANA: The Ghana Maritime Authority in collaboration with the Ghana Shippers’ Authority, in line with their campaign to bring awareness on the 2020 IMO Sulphur Cap policy to all stakeholders within the shipping value chain, recently met with the technical players in the port and maritime industry who will play significant roles in the implementation of the global policy in a seminar. The seminar sought to sensitise stakeholders in the maritime industry to the guidelines on the implementation of the 2020 Sulphur cap to improve energy efficiency and promote clearer marine environment. Stakeholders present included the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, the National Petroleum Authority, Shipping Lines, oil distributors and refineries.
Preserving and defining maritime heritage
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SLOVAKIA
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SOUTH AFRICA: Hosted by the Maritime Heritage Institute (MHI), the inaugural Maritime Heritage Conference held last week in Johannesburg aimed to situate and advance the knowledge and engagement of the country’s maritime heritage. The three-day event included a career fair, book fair and maritime master class. The Maritime Heritage Conference also awarded maritime veterans Commissar TT Cholo and Commander Fanele Mbali with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contribution to the industry. Speaking at the opening of the conference, Chairperson of MHI, Commander Tsietsi Mokhele, noted the presence of over 60 educators. “Over the next few days they will be getting a better understanding of the sector,” he said.
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Surveillance and Rescue (Cross) Antilles-Guyane and other parties for the missing crew is underway.
Collective bargaining to benefit workers NIGERIA: The Nigerian Merchant Officers and Water Transport Staff Association and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria have signed a collective bargaining agreement with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency that stands to benefit about 8,000 maritime workers in the country. The unions represent seafarers, inland waterway workers and fishers who will see improved terms and conditions. Furthermore, the agreement gives unions an avenue to enter into further CBAs with companies trading on the waters in and around Nigeria, and gives the unions the right to enforce the requirement to have Nigerian crew working on vessels moving between Nigeria ports.
Substantial offshore oil discovery GABON: Panoro Energy ASA has reported a positive update on its drilling operation on the Hibiscus Updip well, located on Dussafu Marin Permit, offshore Gabon. The DHIMB-1 well was initially drilled in 116 metres of water to a vertical depth of 3,538 metres. On August 30, 2019, Panoro announced an oil discovery in the pre-salt Gamba reservoir with plans to drill a sidetrack to appraise the extent of the Hibiscus Updip discovery. The Hibiscus Updip oil discovery has been appraised by drilling a sidetrack (DHIBM-1ST1) to the northwest to test the lateral extent and structural elevation of the Gamba reservoir. The well will now be plugged and abandoned pending future appraisal and development activities.
South African seafarer reported missing
Operations in Overberg address poaching
SOUTH AFRICA: The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has confirmed an incident of the sinking of an offshore Luxembourg registered tug 1200 nautical miles of Martinique Island on which a South African seafarer was reportedly on-board.
SOUTH AFRICA: The deployments of a multi-disciplinary team to the Overberg region of the Western Cape has resulted in a number of notable successes against abalone poaching in the area.
The sinking took place 60 nautical miles South-South East from the eye of a Category 4 hurricane storm named Lorenzo. SAMSA has received information that the tug, the Bourbon Rhode, sank on the 26th of September and that 14 crew members were declared missing. It has since been established that three crew members had been rescued, four bodies have been recovered and seven were still missing. A search and rescue effort by the Regional Operational Centre of
4 OCTOBER 2019
The deployments, known as Operation Phakisa initiative 5, has once again been working in the Overberg Region since the beginning of October 2019. Operation Phakisa Initiative 5 is the enhanced and coordinated Compliance and Enforcement Initiative within the maritime environment, and active within all South Africa’s coastal provinces. Led by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries the operation involves teams including Border Police, Fisheries officials, Nature Conservation and local Law Enforcement officials.
MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA Celebrating 1 million hours of safety in the Port of Ngqura SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) Port of Ngqura celebrated 1 million hours of work without a disabling injury. This achievement does not only confirm a safe working environment to employees, but also to customers - safely guiding their vessels in the port, despite adverse weather conditions often experienced in the windy city. “We are proud to have clinched an award at the National TNPA Safety Competition recently for achieving a Disabling Injury Frequency Rate (DIFR) of zero for one year. Under the banner of our ‘Zero Harm’ safety campaign, we are on a serious quest to eliminate safety incidents and maintain safety as our highest operational priority,” said Mpatisi Pantsi, SHE Manager for the port. To ensure that safety remains a priority in future, the port plans to be ISO 45001 accredited soon and focus relentlessly on all aspects of safety, including stakeholder engagement, safety awareness and visibility of management in the workplace.
Transport minister misses the maritime mark SOUTH AFRICA: Apart from inviting stakeholders to attend the 2020 World Maritime Day Parallel Event that will be hosted in Durban, South Africa during October next year, the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, made little mention of the maritime component associated with the African Ports and Rail Conference when he addressed delegates in Durban yesterday. Noting the importance of the agreement to establish the African Continental Free Trade Area, he highlighted the challenges associated with rail transport, corridor blockages and inland border inefficiencies without so much as a nod in the direction of the potential for the agreement to open up regional coastal shipping.
African Marine Solutions (AMSOL) is a specialist solutions provider and partner to clients who operate in marine environments. As a market leader, AMSOL is the only marine solutions provider in the region that is employee and management owned, and is a catalyst for economic empowerment and shared value creation.
The South African Ports Regulator was noted in a passing remark that acknowledged their input in redressing port tariffs. Given that South Africa is hosting the 2020 World Maritime Day, one hopes that the maritime component of the Department of Transport will help support “marinising” the minister before this date.
amsol.co.za
5 OCTOBER 2019
EDUCATION & TRAINING
COMPANY NEWS
Bending to the needs of the industry SOUTH AFRICA: Africa Projects Consultants (APC) yesterday demonstrated their new pipe bending machine to the industry at their premises in Paarden Eiland, highlighting the cost and time savings that the machine can provide. The acquisition represents a R5,5 million investment and the fully-automated CNC Mandrel pipe bending machine is capable of bending pipe and tubes from 40mm to 140mm in diameter with a wall thickness of up to 16mm.
Maritime sector needs to address skills imbalance SOUTH AFRICA: Yet another conference has highlighted the need for the industry to interact more collaboratively. The two-day Forward Thinking Conference for Maritime Education and Training Excellence hosted by the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) at the beginning of this week emphasised the need for greater cooperation between private, public and academic sectors. “We need to get to down to the specifics to ensure that our educational outputs meet the needs of industry. The types of skills being produced are not in line with the market requirements and we require a shift in the way we deliver training to ensure that we produce the right skills for our country,” said acting CEO of SAIMI, Odwa Mtati at the outset of the conference on Monday morning. In a sobering presentation, Mpumzi Bonga, Head of Operational Phakisa: Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, admitted that the Big Fast Result methodology that had been imported from Malaysia to help identify as well as deliver on the growth potential of the Oceans Economy was lagging significantly behind its ambitions.
“This is the first machine of its kind in Africa,” Refaan Hendricks, Managing Director of APC, told guests. “The quality of bends will be unsurpassed on the continent,” he added.
substantial work still needs to be done to ensure that the supply and demand for sector-specific skills are balanced.
The machine is capable of bending carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium and CuNiFe. Describing the current processes required to produce a bend to specifications, Hendricks highlighted how the machine positions, bends and twists the pipe according to CAD inputs to deliver pin-point accuracy.
Delving into seafarer training; capacity building in the offshore oil and gas sectors; fisheries and aquaculture as well as marine manufacturing – speakers shared results of studies and audits that have attempted to address these imbalances and provide data for forward planning.
The automated process significantly reduces the time required. “A process that could take up to five days can now be accomplished in just a few minutes,” Hendricks enthused. “This capability is long overdue. We are proud to introduce it now and believe that it will change the way things are done in industry,” he said. With plans to ensure the productivity of the machine that include training of staff and the possibility of introducing additional shifts, Hendricks says they will be able to meet any demand created in the industry. “This machine does not just provide us as APC with a competitive advantage, it gives all of us a competitive advantage as a sector on the continent,” he said addressing guests as fellow colleagues. “Our aim is to complement your business,” he said. The investment in the machine was undertaken with the assistance of Damen Shipyards Cape Town (DSCT) who provided an interest-free loan to the 100 percent Black-owned company that focuses on shipbuilding and ship repair projects. BELOW: Taufeeq Phipps, Refaan Hendricks, Ezzat Williams, partners in Africa Projects Consultants.
In addition, the advent of automation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution poses additional challenges for maritime training – particularly in developing countries. A presentation by Professor Momoko Kitada, Associate Professor at the World Maritime University in Sweden posited possible future scenarios for a more automated industry. “How will automation affect maritime labour in 2040? Will it lead to unemployment in transport and what is the way forward?” she asked delegates.
“We must sober up as we plan for skills development,” he said noting that some introspection into why, despite significant investment in the sector since the launch of Operation Phakisa, the same could not be said for job creation.
The potential benefits of enterprise development were also explored briefly in one of the concluding sessions of the conference where Vincent Zulu of the Moses Kotane Institute who also highlighted some of the pitfalls associated with some enterprise development programmes that were not holistic or comprehensive enough to address the needs of future-proofing new small businesses in the sector.
“We need deliberate skills development so that when sector takes off there are local skills available. There is no point creating sectors for outsiders to exploit them,” he told delegates.
PHOTO ABOVE: Councillor Mpume Sithole, Acting Mayor of EThkwini Municipality, Mpumzi Bonga (DPME), Prof Sibongile Muthwa (SAIMI) and Odwa Mtati (SAIMI)
Commemorating a decade of port operations in the Port of Ngqura - Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) Port of Ngqura celebrates the arrival of its first commercial vessel ten years ago on 4 October 2009.
The bulk of contributions to the conference from a diversity of voices across the private, public and academic sectors highlighted that
6 OCTOBER 2019
MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA
7 OCTOBER 2019
SAFETY
GREEN MARINE
Boosting search and rescue in Africa
South African ocean documentary makes waves at international film festivals
AFRICA: Eleven professionals from Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Morocco completed a rescue boat operating course last week that was hosted by the International Maritime Rescue Federation in conjunction with the RNLI. Theresa Crossley, CEO IMRF said: “Every year the IMRF organises a programme of maritime SAR capacity building events across Africa in conjunction with the International Maritime Organisation and our members. These events focus on giving the participants the skills and knowledge they need to build capacity at home in their own countries. “This is the first time we have run this course to focus on Africa and we’re deeply grateful to the RNLI for sharing its facilities, knowledge and skills for this ongoing project. This kind of training has proved very effective, creating a ripple effect of knowledge which is then applied in practical situations locally and regionally.” The course has been developed to teach the students the best SAR techniques and rescue boat handling operations in challenging conditions, all based on the IMASAR Manual Volume III. The International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual is the UN’s international guide for maritime and aviation search and rescue worldwide. Several of the participants are already IMRF trainers responsible for training in their respective organisations. A shortage of lack appropriate materials can be an issue in different places around the world, as a result the course has been designed to include a training manual and set of training cards, to help with the dissemination of information. The training has been a mix of theory based learning and practical exercise, on the sea and in a simulator. It has included personal protective equipment, key water safety messages, personal recovery, human factors in conjunction with weather and tides, seamanship, navigation, towing and slow speed manoeuvres. The training resources developed for the course are recommended as best practice materials for any organisation introducing training in basic rescue boat SAR operations. They will be available for any IMRF member wanting to undertake similar training for its crew or organisation.
SOUTH AFRICA: After winning the award for Best Feature Film at the Ireland Film Festival in September, the proudly South African documentary, Our Oceans: Shark Sanctuary was showcased at the Jackson Wild film Festival last week and is being included in the Jozi Film Festival this weekend.
made in advancing the protection of SA waters, which is clearly very positive and gaining momentum. “It was really such a privilege to be given this platform to screen our film amongst award winning filmmakers and their ground-breaking films, and a huge thank you must go to Empowers Africa for making this possible,” said van Nijkerk.
“The screening of Our Oceans: Shark Sanctuary at Jackson Wild last week was a resounding success,” said Lauren van Nijkerk of WILDOCEANS. “There weren’t enough chairs to seat everyone that arrived to view it and the room was overflowing with ocean lovers.”
“Jackson Wild is special,” commented WILDTRUST CEO Dr. Andrew Venter. “There is no doubt that it is driving a fundamental shift in the way that environmental filmmakers conceptualize and deliver their projects. Given the unprecedented rate of environmental and social change that we are experiencing, the drive towards impact film making is directly relevant. I have no doubt that Jackson Wild’s legacy in this regard will be felt for generations to come, as they direct the most talented
The feedback from the audience was overwhelmingly positive and the bulk of the comments spoke to the hope linked to the youth movement that are standing up for their oceans, their sharks and their heritage. The audience also commented on the marine protected area thread that runs through the film and asked about the progress being
environmental film makers on the planet towards this outcome.” Accepting the award at the Ireland Film Festival, Upon accepting the award Dr. Venter said – “We really appreciate the support of the Ireland Film Festival in getting the message out to the world that these species, these systems and our oceans need to be protected.” The Our Oceans film is currently only available to be viewed on the film festival circuit, but the good news is that the film will be screened in Johannesburg this Saturday – the official South African premiere. The Jozi Film Festival is Johannesburg’s longest running multi-genre film festival, now in its 8th year and will be screening Our Oceans at 7pm on Saturday the 5th of October.
SECURITY
Patrol vessels arrive in Nigeria NIGERIA: The latest additions to the fleet operated by Homeland Integrated Offshore Services (Homeland IOS Ltd) arrived safely in Nigeria were prepared for their first assignments this month. The addition of these vessels brings improved capability to Homeland’s squadron of patrol vessels that are deployed in the Gulf of Guinea to protect and support the offshore assets of a number of international oil companies working in the area.
Nigeria’s coastal and offshore oil fields.
The two new arrivals have been built to the same proven specifications as their sister ships. Key features of the 33-metre vessels include Damen’s trademark Axe Bow hull form that delivers excellent fuel economy and a top speed of 29 knots together with superb manoeuvrability and first-class seakeeping. The power comes from three Caterpillar main engines totalling 3,579 bkW with each driving a fixed pitch propeller via a Reintjes WVS series gearbox. Capable of accommodating up to six crew and twelve security personnel they can remain at sea for up to four weeks and travel 1,200 nm in and around
The security packages on both vessels are purely defensive. The bridges are bullet proof and armoured ‘citadels’ within the hulls protect non-combatants. In addition to their security role, each vessel has a 75m² cargo deck aft rated at 2.5 tonnes/m² that adds an additional level of versatility. The decks allow them to deliver equipment and spares to offshore installations without any impairment to their primary security role. Additional equipment specified by HIOSL includes thermal imaging sets, diesel powered SO-
8 OCTOBER 2019
LAS fast rescue craft and Fuel Trax fuel monitoring systems as well as redundant fuel oil separators to protect the engines and generators from contaminated fuel. “We continue to invest in state-ofthe-art vessels for our fleet so as to maintain our leadership position in servicing Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas sector,” said Dr Louis Ekere, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Homeland Integrated Offshore Services. He went on to say; “We work with many of the international oil companies (IOCs) operating actively in the Gulf of Guinea and these new additions will support them in achieving their strategic global objectives.”
MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA
9 OCTOBER 2019
Cruise Season Sets Sail at SA Ports PORTS The first cruise vessel of the new 2019-20 cruise season in South Africa has arrived. MS ALBATROS operated by Phoenix Reisen sailed into the Port of Cape Town on 21 October, and will call at Port Elizabeth on 25 October, East London on 26 October, Durban on 27 October and Richards Bay on 28 October. Operators that have included South Africa on their routes this year include: AIDA Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Lines, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, Ponant, Princess Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line. A newcomer to the country is TUI Cruises which will bring its vessel MEIN SCHIFF HERZ to sail her first ever cruise season in South Africa.
FISHING
PEOPLE & EVENTS
Fishing rights for cooperatives
Port conference hosted in Durban
SOUTH AFRICA: The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, announced 15-year fishing rights allocations to small-scale fishing co-operatives in KwaZulu-Natal during October.
SOUTH AFRICA: The 2019 edition of the two-day African Ports & Rail Evolution conference and exhibition was hosted by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) in Durban this month.
After the department amended its legislation in 2016 to recognise the importance of small-scale fishers, the department launched an Expression of Interest process. A total of 316 communities from the four coastal provinces registered their interest and this prompted the department to physically visit all these co-operatives for the purpose of registration and declaration of small-scale fishers in South Africa.
TNPA’s Acting GM: Corporate Affairs & External Relations, Jacqueline Brown, delivered the official welcome address, following opening remarks by Neville Matjie, CEO of Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal.
In KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) a total of 53 communities expressed interest, however 48 participated in registration to be recognised as small-scale fisher. In total, 2 184 small-scale fishers were finally recognized in KZN from 36 declared small-scale fishing communities. Subsequently, the declared communities have been assisted to register co-operatives and to further apply for 15year fishing rights for the first time.
He said it was necessary to deal with operational delays, congestion and inefficiencies in the cross-border transport system and to move faster to establish a regional regulatory authority to enforce agreed harmonised standards. Mbalula said while challenges in the rail sector were being addressed, there was an urgent need to mobilise regional resources to modernise the country’s ports to improve turnaround times and address inefficiencies. While there is a need to look at tariff regimes to ease doing business continent-wide, the Minister said the South African National Ports Regulator had made significant progress towards tariff redress.
“Our ocean space should be as highly regarded in terms of its economic contribution to our economies in a similar vein as the mining and resources sector where gold, platinum, diamonds and other natural resources contribute significantly to our respective GDPs,” said Brown.
Mbalula reiterated that South Africa is ready to host the World Maritime Day Parallel Event in Durban during the October Transport Month in 2020. “We aim to showcase South Africa’s and the entire continent’s maritime capabilities and interests,” he said.
The keynote address by Transport Minister, Honourable Fikile Mbalula, emphasised the importance of international and regional integration.
Other TNPA speakers at the African Ports & Rail Evolution event were Senior Manager: Property, Manqoba Mdunge, who facilitated a workshop on successfully maintaining port real estate, Acting Chief Procurement Officer, Shantell Mackay, who spoke on supply chain
“Despite its significance, the potential of the transport sector to contribute more towards full integration of the region is constrained by serious operational and infrastructure inefficiencies,” he said.
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solutions, and Principal Engineer, Dr Kana Mutombo, who explored the possibility of a deep offshore port in South Africa. TNPA women were also among the finalists in the Women in Transport Awards held during the event. Marine Compliance Manager Londy Ngcobo, known widely as Africa’s first female dredge master, was a finalist in the Excellence in Leadership Award category. This was won by the City of Tshwane’s Sheila Senkubuge. Port of Durban Deputy Harbour Master, Captain Pinky Zungu, was a finalist in the Best Skills Contributor category, eventually won by Durban University of Technology lecturer, Balungile Masuku. African Marine Solutions (AMSOL) took top honours in the Best Women’s Skils Development Programme of the Year category, in which the Transnet Maritime School of Excellence was a finalist.
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