Maritime Monthly News Roundup - September 2019

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA

NEWS ROUND-UP SEPTEMBER 2019

PEOPLE & EVENTS

Leadership commits to working to unite maritime sectors SOUTH AFRICA, Durban: Challenging the port authority to relocate its head office to South Africa’s biggest port in Durban, the newly elected Chairperson of the South African Maritime Business Forum (SAMBF) introduced his team to delegates at the Invest Maritime South Africa summit this month.

“It is unusual for a nation that aspires to be a maritime centre, to have a port authority that resides in city with no port. I put a challenge to Transnet National Ports Authority to relocate its head office to Durban,” Wiseman Dumisani Mthethwa, the Chairperson of SAMBF told delegates which included a group from the TNPA.

World-scale gas resource confirmed for Senegal SENEGAL: The Yakaar-2 appraisal well offshore Senegal has encountered approximately 30 metres of net gas pay similar to that which was found during the Yakaar-1 exploration well.

According to Kosmos Energy, this confirmation continues the 100 percent success rate of wells targeting the inboard Mauritania/Senegal gas trend.

Yakaar-2 was drilled approximately nine kilometres from Yakaar-1 and proved up the southern extension of the field.

Kosmos says that these results underpin their view that the Yakaar-Teranga resource base is world-scale and has the potential to support an LNG project that provides significant volumes of natural gas to both domestic and export markets. Development of Yakaar-Teranga is expected in a phased approach with Phase 1 providing domestic gas and data to optimize the development of future phases.

Commenting on the results of the Yakaar-2 well, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Inglis said: “The Yakaar-2 appraisal well demonstrates the scale and quality of the Yakaar resource base. Senegal is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and Kosmos is excited to be working alongside BP and PETROSEN to support the country’s growing energy needs.”

Located offshore Senegal, the Yakaar-2 well was drilled in approximately 2,500 metres of water to a total measured depth of around 4,800 metres The Valaris DS-12 rig, working on behalf of the operator BP, will now move to the Orca-1 exploration well in Mauritania.

ABOVE (l-r): Sizo Dlamini, Kgomotso Mogale, Lusanda Fibi, Boniswa Madlanga, Trevor Wilson, Bheka Zulu and Wiseman Dumisani Mthethwa

South Africa’s ambitions to be viewed as a maritime centre is at the core of the Department of Transport’s Comprehensive Maritime Transport Policy (CMTP) which is seen as the springboard of initiatives such as this to create a united voice in the industry.

Presenting the new team to the delegates, Acting Deputy Director General of Maritime Transport in the DoT, Dumisani Ntuli, noted that it was significant that the SAMBF had been created on World Maritime Day. “We are writing our own maritime history. The previous maritime history is one that was given to us – it is one that we inherited,” he said adding that the industry must rally around the objective to create this new unified voice.

He added that the DoT would host an induction workshop for the new leadership team to ensure its success.

“We are here to serve. I have a team of capable people that will help move the industry towards the unity that has been elusive to us.

There are clusters and associations that represent different interests – but we have been given the tasks to provide a united voice for the industry,” confirmed Mthethwa.

Speaking on the issue of transformation, Mthethwa noted that this should not be seen as a negative drive in the industry. “We are only touching on the surface of the ocean economy. It is about increasing the pie to ensure that everyone

gets a piece. Our intention must be to grow the sector. We need to learn from each other in order for our nation to benefit (from the ocean economy),” he said.

He added that the SAMBF would advocate for certain Transnet projects to be ring-fenced for marginalised people. “Singapore had nothing but people – and people made the choice that they would benefit from the maritime opportunities and we must do the same,” he added.

Mthethwa also spoke to the need to train young people and provide incubation opportunities. He warned, however, training needs to speak to the needs of industry. “We cannot be training 1,000 people if we only need 500. Let us play fair and give our youth the tools they need to represent the nation,” he added.

With a distinct disparity of interests to represent, the SAMBF will have its work cut out for it.

Chairperson: Wiseman Dumisani Mthethwa Deputy chair: Mr Bheka Zulu Secretary: Ms Boniswa Madlanga Treasurer: Mr Trevor Wilson Director (Women): Ms Sizo Dlamini Director (Youth): Mr Lusanda Fibi Director (Transformation): Kgomotso Mogale

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DOT set to deliver on promise to legislate ahead of 2020 deadline SOUTH AFRICA: After assuring the maritime industry in July this year that they would fasttrack legislation into place to give effect to MARPOL Annex VI by before the January 2020 deadline, the Department of Transport (DOT) is delivering on their promise and has released the MARPOL Amendment Bill 2019 for public comment.

OIL & GAS

ABOVE: Keynote Speaker, Adrian Frey, MD of Beluluane Industrial Park and Free-Trade Zone, discussing Mozambique’s macro-economic indicators and growth factors.

Forging links in the oil and gas sectors SOUTH AFRICA: Held at the end of last month, the second annual Mozvest Conference aimed to build sustainable relationships between South Africa and Mozambique in the oil and gas sectors.

This year’s conference attracted participants who were keen to get insight into the legal and procedural aspects of foreign investment within the Mozambican environment.

“Last year we received tremendous support from our sponsors and delegates and we had a substantial turnout for our inaugural event. This year, despite having to delay the event twice due to cyclones Idai and Kenneth in Mozambique, we managed to still retain support for the event which really tells us that we must be adding some value here.

We have very specific outcomes and we want our delegates to walk away with firm objectives for the future,” says the conference organiser,

Executive Director of U-Personnel Management (UPM), Sean Lumbue.

Lumbue notes that the milestone memorandum of understanding (MoU) between South Africa and Mozambique outlines specific infrastructure projects which require collaboration over the next five years.

like to see more corporate social investments initiatives being undertaken in disadvantaged communities in Mozambique. We are African, and it makes sense to elevate our fellow Africans.”

Opening the conference, Paulino Macarringue, High Commissioner of Mozambique in South Africa, provided valuable information relating to local content requirements and laws as well as the importance of promoting partnerships.

He adds: “South Africa is in a unique position where we can offer solutions across all industry types such as the telecommunications and technology sectors. With the gas finds in the Rovuma basin off the coast of Mozambique, it is easy to see why oil and gas has been selected as one of the priority sectors requiring collaboration.

“We are working on the next conference entitled, The Key Sectors Mozambique Conference, which will be held on 19th March 2020. This conference will address opportunities within energy, oil and gas and will also include the agriculture and mining sectors,” says Lumbue.

“Besides the direct financial advantage for large corporates, there is also the opportunity to transfer skills while working in Mozambique.

We, as the show organisers, would

The 100-page Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution From Ships) Amendment Bill, 2019, is available for scrutiny and Dumisani Ntuli, Acting DDG of Maritime Transport in the Department is urging stakeholders not to delay in submitting feedback. The industry has 30 days from publication (06 September 2019) to make their comments.

The new legislation will amend the Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 2 of 1986, so as to give effect to Annex IV of the 1973 MARPOL Convention, to incorporate the 1997 Protocol in order to give effect to Annex VI of the 1973 MARPOL Convention.

“South Africa is a signatory to MARPOL. The question is; are we going to be ready? And the response is that when the clock ticks for 1 January, ships entering our waters will know very well that they are entering waters of an Annex VI country and they will be expected to fully comply with the resolution,” noted Ntuli at the recent IBIA Africa Conference.

PEOPLE & EVENTS

South African school girls answer London’s maritime call SOUTH AFRICA: Two 17-year-old maritime students from Simon’s Town School’s Lawhill Maritime Centre are among the industry ‘movers and shakers’ attending the prestigious London International Shipping Week (LISW) taking place this week.

Their visit has been made possible by the TK Foundation, a Bahamas-based private grant-making foundation. The Foundation has supported the school for the past 10 years, most notably via the generous donation of safe and modern accommodation facilities for boarding and maritime instruction.

While in London, Grade 12 maritime students, Lerato Tsautse, from Durban, and Kyla Cloete, from Cape Town, will be attending a two-day ‘Women in Shipping Summit’ which focuses on attracting more female talent into the maritime workplace, both ashore and at sea.

The Summit also aims to look beyond gender to the digital transformation and innovation in shipping.

It is estimated that approximately two percent of the world’s seafarers are female and that only 7% of the management positions in the shipping industry are held by women.

The opportunity to travel abroad – a first for both Lerato and Kyla – is a life-changing experience for these two, high-potential, young women as it will allow them to network with industry leaders, gain a global perspective on the shipping industry and be inspired by successful women working in various sectors across the maritime industry.

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MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA Japan bestows honour on UCT scientist SOUTH AFRICA: Members of the local fishing industry turned out in their numbers to honour fisheries scientist Emeritus Professor Doug Butterworth who was presented with an esteemed award by the Ambassador of Japan to South Africa, Norio Maruyama.

Professor Butterworth, who has previously received South Africa’s

highest National Order of Mapungubwe (Silver) for contributions to the betterment of the environment and sustainability of fisheries, was presented with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.

The award was conferred on behalf of the Emperor of Japan and was in recognition of Butterworth’s contribution to ensuring the sustainable use of marine living resources by Japan, in particular southern bluefin tuna, one of the world’s most valuable fisheries.

“Our fishery is extremely fortunate to have benefited from Professor Butterworth’s expertise,” said Terence Brown, chairman of the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association. “He played a leading role in the development of the scientific method that underlies the management of the hake fishery. As a result, our stocks are healthy and our fishery is recognised worldwide as sustainable and well-managed.”

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“Without the scientific expertise of Prof Butterworth and his colleagues at the University of Cape Town’s Marine Resource Assessment and Management Group (MARAM) and the long-standing commitment of the South African government, we would not have been able to secure and retain MSC certification,” said Brown.

Based on the scientific recommendations of its own scientific personnel – backed up by the specialists within MARAM – the Department of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries sets annual catch limits for the deep-sea trawl fishery. It also ensures that the fishery is properly monitored and controlled by conducting frequent checks on fishing activities, both at sea and in port.

“We congratulate Professor Butterworth on the receipt of this prestigious award from the Emperor of Japan,” said Brown.

“His advice on fisheries is sought by fisheries around the world and we are appreciative of the role he has played in securing the international competitiveness and success of the deep-sea trawl fishery for hake.”

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INDUSTRY

The deep-sea trawl fishery for hake is by far South Africa’s most valuable fishery, delivering an estimated R6.7 billion to the economy each year. It is also the only fishery in Africa to be certified as sustainable and well-managed by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the world’s leading certification and ecolabelling program for sustainable wild-caught seafood.

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DEFENCE & FUEL

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PHOTO: Emeritus Professor Doug Butterworth of the University of Cape Town receives the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, from the Ambassador of Japan to South Africa, Norio Maruyama.

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LPG facility moves ahead with storage bullet delivery SOUTH AFRICA, Richards Bay: Four 5,650-ton liquified petroleum gas storage bullets arrived in the port of Richards Bay this month on board the Xin Lu as part of the current development of the LPG storage terminal under construction in the port by Bidvest Tank Terminals (BTT).

The 22,600-ton capacity LPG facility will store LPG on behalf of independent LPG specialist Petredec, which ships the fuel from the US and the Middle East. Construction began in October 2018 and the facility is expected to become operational in 2020, housing the largest storage tanks in the world.

Richards Bay Port Manager, Thami Sithole, said, “The arrival of these bullets is an exciting milestone not only for the Port of Richards Bay but for the future of LPG supply in South Africa, as the terminal will allow for a significant increase in the cost effective, reliable and safe supply of LPG to South Africa – considered the fuel of the future.

“We congratulate BTT and Petredec on this milestone and look forward to the launch of their terminal. This will enable the Port of Richards Bay to cater for ships that trade, transport, store and distribute LPG, which in the past would have frequently been forced to remain on layby outside our port for weeks and months, while incurring costs.”

Richards Bay was seen as the most suitable port to handle this capacity. The port is on Petredec’s shipping route and in close proximity to the main rail and road logistics routes going inland, particularly as most of the LPG will be used in Gauteng, the Free State and the North West.

TNPA has said it intends using the ports as vehicles not only for storage and distribution, but also for access and transformation to ensure the sustainability of the country’s Energy sector.

Speaking at the recent National African Energy Wholesalers Association of South Africa (NAEWASA) 2nd Annual Energy Conference on Holistic Transformation in the Energy Sector at Mehlareng Stadium, Tembisa on 22 August 2019, TNPA’s Acting CE Nozipho Mdawe said, “Our ports play a significant role in enabling the liquid bulk sector due to the need for import and - to a lesser extent - export port infrastructure requirements. The liquid fuels sector is crucial to the South African economy, with 17% of the country’s imports being crude oil and petroleum products.”

“There will be other liquid bulk opportunities across the port system in future. With all of these opportunities, TNPA ensures that the operators will meet minimum transformation, supplier development and preferential procurement targets, aligned with legislation and the petroleum liquid fuels sector codes,” she added.

Transnet is also planning a multi-million dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and regasification terminal at the Port of Richards Bay and is looking for private sector partners to invest in and operate the facility. The state-owned company recently signed a cost-sharing agreement for a feasibility study with the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), which has committed USD2 million to the study.

The Richards Bay Natural Gas Network (NGN) project will complement the delivery of LNG to new markets in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces through the ports of Ngqura and Saldanha Bay respectively, and will support government’s future gas-to-power projects.

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MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA PEOPLE & EVENTS

Maritime investment summit kickstarts transformation SOUTH AFRICA: The inaugural South African Maritime Investment Summit held in Durban clearly showed that there are business opportunities available for new entrants keen to engage with established companies that are looking for investment partners.

In a brave move, the Department of Transport (DoT) teamed up with the South African Boat Builders Export

Africa after the summit.

Council (SABBEX) to showcase opportunities and introduce an innovative new addition to the industry’s events’ calendar. Having identified the ocean economy as a sector poised for growth, it was refreshing to see tangible business opportunities being offered to market.

“Traditionally, when seeking funds for expansion, share options or greenfield developments, industry must fit the banking or funding guidelines. We turned this around and asked the investors in the room to tell us if the opportunities out there match their business model and interests. We were particularly focused on using this opportunity to look at transformation of businesses at ownership level,” she added.

It was also refreshing to see that existing small predominantly White-owned businesses are open to discuss transformation of their shareholding structures through Black Empowerment deals.

Focusing primarily on the leisure marine sector, Chairperson of SABBEX, Bruce Tedder aimed to paint a picture of the leisure boating industry that includes a massive catamaran boat building sector valued at about R2.8 billion a year.

“This is the first opportunity of its kind and illustrates that there are many business opportunities with clear return on investment and growth prospects,” Vanessa Davidson of SABBEX told Maritime Review

“We (South Africa) are the second biggest builder of catamarans in the world and 95 percent of our boats are exported. All yards are running at full capacity,” he said adding that it was the intention to maintain this global position, promote transformation as well as grow the sector.

Feedback on research into the ocean-sports sector in the Western Cape also highlights that opportunities exist to develop this already buoyant sub-sector even further.

With this in mind, Tedder rolled up his sleeves and pitched a number of opportunities that included the construction of an expedition catamaran; an opportunity in the inflatable kite market and getting in on the ground floor of the recapitalisation of the country’s houseboat fleet. Other opportunities included involvement in a sailing component manufacturing business as well as a mould building business.

“It is important for SABBEX to inform people of the myriad of nuances in our sector and to encourage people to not always look for the “obvious” investment opportunity.

Many of the opportunities SABBEX presented derive from innovative and flexible solutions that are not “run of the mill”. It is important for people to see this,” says Davidson who adds that it is important to “move beyond broad brush strokes and get down to the fine pencil work behind facilitating and growing business opportunities.”

“In terms of the success of the forum, it was a good start. There are areas that can be improved upon and getting more investors, venture capitalists, angel investors and business forums in the room will strengthen the engagement as well as lead to better “match making” of real, viable and sustainable business opportunities,” she concluded.

Indeed other delegates agree and believe that an annual investment summit with the right participants in the room can only help to foster inclusivity as well as funding maturity across the maritime sectors.

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BRIEFS

Commitment to develop harbour GHANA: The Tema Fishing Harbour has held its 3rd quarter stakeholders meeting where management of the Fishing Harbour highlighted some of the ongoing projects at the fishing harbour and its environs.

The Marketing and Public Affairs Manager of the Tema Fishing Harbor, Joana Adda, announced that most refurbishment works outlined in the year’s budget are completed and others are far advanced.

The completed works include, a canoe basic shed extension, a fish handling and crate shed extension, repairing of damaged commercial roads within the fishing harbour enclave and sewer lines, provision of bollards at the quay side to help moor vessels.

Building good maritime security GHANA: Ghana is the latest country to benefit from training on the implementation of IMO maritime security standards in SOLAS Chapter XI-2 and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

New bidding process starts in Angola for offshore blocks ANGOLA: The bidding cycle will cover the Block 10 basins in Benguela and 11, 12, 13, 27, 28, 29, 41, 42 and 43 of Namibe, according to ANPG who is also presenting the new legal framework that aims to provide an attractive environment.

After a roadshow in Luanda, ANPG will undertake a tour of presentation in Houston on 10 September, followed by London on 17. The roadshow ends on September 23, in Dubai.

In addition to the geological potential of each of the blocks to be bid, the full legal, tax and contractual framework inherent to participation in the process will be presented.

EU/Mauritania extend fisheries protocol for another year MAURITANIA: The EU and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania have agreed to extend, for maximum one year, the protocol to the sustainable fisheries partnership agreement which was due to expire in November 2019.

Under the protocol, the EU fleet can fish in Mauritanian waters for shrimp, demersal fish, tuna and small pelagic fish, up to a total of 287,050 tons a year. In addition to the fees paid by the European fleet, the EU pays a financial contribution

of €61,625,000 per year, comprising of €57,500,000 for the access to waters and €4,125,000 for supporting local fishing communities in Mauritania and improving fisheries governance.

9, which are expected to end in the second quarter of 2020.

As with the deepening dredging two years ago, there will be permanent coordination between the dredger and the crew involved and the port operations to ensure the channel’s transitability. Dredging will not cause any disturbance in the normal course of port operations.

Women fishing and trading network meeting COTE D’IVOIRE: The Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC), represented by the Fish Trade and Aquaculture Adviser, Adekunle Adejolu, participated, last week in an African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFishNET) meeting that aimed to provide a platform for sharing and documentation of best practices in fish processing technology and identification of opportunities for enhancing women SMEs in the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

Navy arrests sailors for crude oil smuggling NIGERIA: According to a statement by the Nigerian Navy, 57 sailors have been arrested in the rivers for allegedly smuggling crude oil and illegally refining diesel.

The sailors, including a Ukrainian, a Mexican and 55 Nigerians, were arrested onboard four vessels, two wooden boats and a barge.

The two-day meeting was organised by the African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AUIBAR) and included participants from the AWFISHNET Bureau, AWFISHNET conference organising committee, selected experts, facilitators, and AU-IBAR staff.

Capt. Adegoke Ebo, Executive Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, spoke in Onne, Rivers, while handing over the suspects and items to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) .

“The suspects were intercepted by the NNS Pathfinder patrol team around Onne Anchorage and Okochiri creek in Okirika Local Government Area of Rivers. The four vessels, MV Western Orient, MV Temile, AHT Ajemisan and Jascon 23 as well as two large wooden boats and a barge, Ana Marine. The crews did not have clearance to transport petroleum products in the nation’s waters,” he said.

Production begins in field offshore Egypt EGYPT: Eni has announced the successful commissioning and start-up of production of the offshore Baltim South West gas field in Egypt.

Discovered by Eni in June 2016, the field has come on-stream in a record time, just 19 months after the final investment decision (FID) was approved in January 2018 thanks to a strategy to fast-track development projects.

“Some of them were caught in the act of siphoning suspected illegally refined diesel from the wooden boats and carrying out illegal shipto-ship transfer without any naval approval. The vessels were later towed to NNS Pathfinder holding bay at Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne for safe custody as well as investigation,” he said.

The field is located in shallow waters 12 kilometres off the coast in the Baltim South development lease.

With the start-up of the first well, BSW1, the field is now producing with an initial rate of 100 million standard cubic feet per day (scf/d) from a new offshore platform connected to the existing onshore Abu Madi Gas Plant through a new 44 km long, 26 inch diameter pipeline.

Fishing company delivers strong performance SOUTH AFRICA: The Sea Harvest Group has delivered a strong set of interim results for the period ending 30 June 2019 with a 52 percent increase in headline earnings to R169 million and a 32 percent increase in headline earnings per share (HEPS) to 61.1 cents compared to the same period last year.

Maintenance dredging due to begin MOZAMBIQUE: Following the dredging of the Maputo Port access channel in 2016/2017 from -11 meters to -14.3 meters, the first maintenance dredging along the access channels will soon begin to remove about 1.4 cubic metres as well as to maintain the drafts of the quays of the Maputo and Matola terminals.

Sea Harvest Group Chief Executive Officer, Felix Ratheb, says the Group’s key focus for the six-month period in review was on, inter alia, realising the benefits of recent acquisitions while driving the expected efficiency gains from investments in its Saldanha Bay operations.

The four-month contract will be undertaken by Jan de Nul Dredging Ltd and is due to start in October.

Alongside this there are also rehabilitation works on quays 6, 7, 8 and

“The satisfactory results come on the back of the acquisition of Viking Fishing and Ladismith Cheese, which have been earnings accretive for the company and the 100%

6 SEPTEMBER 2019

buyout and subsequent de-listing of our Australian subsidiary, Mareterram, which serves as a beachhead for further growth in that strategic market,” adds Ratheb.

New drillship lands nine well contract ANGOLA: The Libongos drillship, which was delivered to Sonangol earlier this year, will undertake a nine-well contract with six options for each well offshore Angola.

The contract is expected to commence during the third quarter of this year and will run until early 2021.

The estimated total contract value is $101 million with commencement expected late Q3 2019 and running to early 2021.

The Libongos is the first of two Sonangol owned drillships to be bareboat chartered into Sonadrill along with two Seadrill-owned or managed units. Seadrill will manage and operate the four units on behalf of Sonadrill.

The drillship was built by Daewoo Shipbuilding Marine Engineering (DSME) to meet the objectives of the Angola’s oil exploration programme that aims to guarantee new discoveries and consolidate the country’s reserves for the future.

The new vessel, which will initially employ about 1,200 workers, both domestic and foreign, has deep-sea, ultra-deepwater and pre-salt operating capacity and will be available to carry out work at national and international level.

International tribunal takes up island maritime boundary dispute Following the submission of a maritime boundary dispute by Mauritius and the Maldives to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the tribunal ordered that a special chamber be formed on Friday to deal with the matter.

The Special Chamber consists of President Paik (Republic of Korea), Judges Jesus (Cabo Verde), Cot (France), Yanai (Japan), Bouguetaia (Algeria), Heidar (Iceland) and Chadha (India), and two judges ad hoc. Mauritius will make its choice of judge ad hoc in due course.

Bernard Oxman has been chosen by Maldives as judge ad hoc. President Paik serves as President of the Special Chamber.

The Parties agreed to transfer the arbitral proceedings instituted on 18 June 2019 by Mauritius under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea to a special chamber of the Tribunal during consultations with President Paik, held at the Tribunal on 17 September 2019.

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PEOPLE & EVENTS

Boosting seafarer support and well-being SOUTH AFRICA: The Port of Richards Bay joined forces with the Mission to Seafarers organisation at the launch of the Richards Bay arm of the Port Welfare Committee.

The KwaZulu-Natal port is one of 12 new ports in the world to take on this role in 2019.

The Mission to Seafarers organisation works within over 200 ports across the globe, providing aid and support to the 1.5 million crewmen and women who work onboard cargo vessels.

In addition to the Port of Richards Bay, the committee also includes the South African Association of Ship Operators and Agents.

PORTS

To date, Port Welfare Committees operate in Australia, South Korea, Antigua and Bardbuda, Ghana, Netherlands, the United States of America, Nigeria, Senegal, Russia, Kenya and Durban.

New helicopters take up service in South African ports

As an inducted member of the new regional committee, the Port of Richards Bay will play a role in offering much-needed assistance to the estimated 45,000 seafarers who call at the port every year.

SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) two new AW109SP port helicopters, acquired at a cost of approximately R250 million, officially entered service this month in an effort to improve service at the Ports of Richards Bay and Durban.

The type of care on offer will include spiritual support, physical, mental and financial well-being, security, companionship and more.

Seafaring is considered to be one of the three most dangerous occupations in the world, with crew forced to face both the elements and the constant threat of piracy due to the valuable cargo these vessels transport.

The acquisition of the helicopters from Italian firm, Leonardo, is part of TNPA’s Transnet Market Demand Strategy and its fleet renewal programme, which seeks to improve operational efficiency and safety in the ports. The craft will service the KwaZulu-Natal ports where they will transfer marine pilots onto and off visiting ships for vessels to be guided in safely and efficiently.

Keynote speaker, Port of Richards Bay Port Manager, Thami Sithole, said being given the opportunity to work with the Mission to Seafarers was an honour for the port.

“The Mission to Seafarers programme is in a powerful, unique position.

One that highlights that we are able to break down language barriers, cut across borders and offer solace to those who need it, when we interact on a human level…

“The Port of Richards Bay team is excited to get to work as part of the Port Welfare Committee and help bring about change – one good deed at a time,” Sithole said.

“As TNPA, we are delighted to have reached this milestone and to be responding to industry calls for a more efficient and reliable marine pilot service in our Ports of Durban and Richards Bay. The AgustaWestland (AW 109SP) helicopters, valued at approximately R250 million in total, will replace helicopters that are reaching the end of their life cycle.

The new craft will bring benefits for our customers and improve the global competitiveness of our ports, resulting in economic benefits to the region,” said Acting Chief Executive, Nozipho Mdawe

The Ports of Durban and Richards Bay are presently the only South African ports that use helicopters to transfer marine pilots. However, the service will also be introduced at the Port of Cape Town in 2022 when a further helicopter is delivered .

South Africa pioneered the concept of transferring marine pilots to and from vessels by helicopter and is understood to be one of only three countries in the world that offer this service.

The AW109SP is a modern topof-the-range light twin-engine helicopter with excellent operational flexibility as well as high safety levels through advanced navigation and situational awareness technology. The two new AW109 SP’s are equipped with a Harbour Pilot Shuttle Kit, which features a hoist that enables this distinctive operation, as well as several other installations unique to Transnet’s aircraft.

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

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8 SEPTEMBER 2019

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MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA GREEN MARINE

Innovative hut on its way to Gough Island A test hut comprised of wood-plastic composite material, poplar and gum wood, which was produced from the invasive biomass that was cleared by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries’ (DEFF) Working for Water programme was aboard the SA Agulhas II when she left for Gough Island yesterday.

DEFF held a send-off ceremony for the vessel and the Gough 65 Expedition team at the East Pier Shed yesterday, as they departed for this year’s annual relief voyage to Gough Island.

The department’s Deputy Director-General of Environmental Programmes, Dr. Guy Preston joined the take-over voyage to lead the team that constructed the test hut which will be stationed on the island.

The aim for deploying this hut to the island is to test the potential to use these materials for future island infrastructure, and particu-

larly their capacity to withstand the harsh weather conditions on Gough Island, as they will also be used to accommodate the overwintering team. The success of this analysis will result in the opportunity to re-build the weather station on the island, using the material, and thus creating jobs for South Africans, as this process will then be extended to Marion Island and Antarctica.

weather observation station, one of three extremely important weather stations globally. The quality of South African and International weather forecasts relies heavily on the availability of data inputs from Gough Island region. Long term data observations are crucial to pick up climate change impacts and fluctuations.

In this regard, 10 drifting weather buoys will be deployed en-route to Gough Island as part of an international agreement.

The hut’s design attempts to provide a level of comfort that is more sympathetic to the team’s needs under the Island’s harsh conditions.

It will also be equipped to meet the full needs of an emergency base for the team members when they conduct their field research away from the base.

Some of the functions that will be performed include collecting diet and blood samples from the various bird species on the island and weather observation through different seasons in the year.

Furthermore, the expedition team is also joined by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) who will undertake a multimillion-pound habitat restoration project to eradicate invasive mice from Gough Island in 2020. These mice are devastating the globally important native bird population and driving several species towards extinction.

This voyage will see a major delivery of RSPB equipment to the island for depot until March 2020.

South Africa’s use of Gough Island is primarily to operate a full year

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9 SEPTEMBER 2019

PORTS

in progress and will be completed by end August. The caisson is a large steel gate structure that closes the dock off from the sea water allowing for the docking and repair of vessels inside the facility.

Its proper functioning is essential, because the dry dock is an important revenue generating asset that stimulates local economic activity through ship repair.

East London drydock repair project to be completed before year-end SOUTH AFRICA: The Princess Elizabeth Drydock in the Port of East London will be out of commission for approximately seven weeks from October to December while a R10.6 million refurbishment and repair project is undertaken on the drydock’s main shut-off valves.

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) recently contracted local company H.R. Morgan (Pty) Ltd t/a Oilco Border Engineeringto undertake the project which will commence on 14 October.

The refurbished valves were com-

missioned at the end of June and have already significantly reduced the time required to flood the dock and improved its operational efficiency. The valve refurbishment project created 29 jobs and Oilco promoted small business by subcontracting up to 70% of the contract value to Exempt Micro Enterprises (EMEs) and Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs).

TNPA’s caisson refurbishment will rectify corrosion and leaks on the existing caisson, reducing potential safety and operational risks, decreasing electricity consumption and operating costs, and increasing overall operational efficiency at the facility.

Site works for the R47 million caisson repair project will commence in October and are expected to be completed by December 2019.

Designs for the refurbishment are

Durban based ship repair company, Southern African Shipyards, will carry out the design and main works supported by site supervision consultant, Lodemann Holdings.

Southern African Shipyards is a Level 2 BBBEE company and will subcontract 30% of the contract value to EMEs, while Lodemann Holdings is a Level 1 contributor.

Other work already completed at the East London dry dock has included the replacement of electrical switch gears, crane rails, capstans, compressors and the fire protection booster pump.

LEFT: The current state of the caisson at Princess Elizabeth Drydock in the Port of East London. The refurbishment project will help improve overall efficiency of the drydock.

PEOPLE & EVENTS

SECURITY

Early release of convicted pirates jeopardises efforts to combat piracy in the region.

MAURITIUS: The Contact Group on Piracy Off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS) has warned that the premature release of convicted pirates by Puntland and Somaliland authorities jeopardises regional and international efforts to combat piracy in the region.

Speaking after a meeting on piracy in the region, Minister of Public Infrastructure and Land Transport, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, and Chair of the CGPCS, Nandcoomar Bodha, strongly condemned the premature releases of convicted pirates by Puntland and Somaliland authorities.

The Minister highlighted that the premature release of convicted pirates compromises the extensive collective efforts of the international community to combat and suppress piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Furthermore, Bodha spoke about the premature release of the 19 convicted pirates by Somaliland authorities in 2019 as well as that of a convicted Somali pirate by prison authorities in Puntland in 2018.

This, he cautioned, significantly jeopardises regional and international efforts to combat piracy and erodes the mechanisms that have been put in place to combat the scourge of piracy and other forms of illicit crimes. The Minister also underscored the critical role of arrest, prosecution and imprisonment which all help to deter potential criminals from committing acts of piracy.

According to him, the international community and States in the region have put in much efforts to ensure that acts of piracy are not left unpunished following the UN Resolution 1851, in the wake of lawlessness off the Coast of Somalia.

He thus emphasised on the need for the international community to help combat and deter piracy off the coast of Somalia in order to guarantee the safety and security of the Western Indian Ocean region.

SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) Port of Saldanha hosted the annual visit of a multinational delegation from the International Oceans Institute (IOI) on Tuesday, 17 September 2019.

The annual visit is part of a course run by the IOI called Ocean Governance for Africa, which was designed to meet the need within Africa for awareness and training in ocean governance. A key feature of the course is the incorporation of field trips – such as the one to the Port of Saldanha - to demonstrate practical examples of some of the governance tools and mechanisms.

The delegation included representatives from Benin, Brazil, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Madagascar and Kenya.

10 SEPTEMBER 2019

Moreover, Minister Bodha underlined that the Chair of the CGPCS has taken initiatives to bring the matter to the attention of the Secretary General of the UN and the UN Security Council to make proposals to prevent a resurgence of attempts of premature release of convicted pirates. Following the relentless efforts and collective engagement of the CGPCS and ambassadors, the possible release of 30 prisoners

by Puntland authorities, has been nullified, he pointed out.

MARITIME REVIEW AFRICA SECURITY

OIL & GAS

R85 m drugs smuggled in a load of bananas destined for Cape Town

Changes to Mozambique LNG project ownership

SOUTH AFRICA: Narcotics worth over R85 million were discovered amongst a container of bananas destined for the Port of Cape Town in a raid on board a vessel travelling from Ecuador that docked at the Port of Ngqura over the weekend.

A multi-disciplinary integrated operation by the Ports of Entry team on Sunday raided the vessel from Ecuador, South America after intelligence indicated that two containers were carrying illegal drugs.

“The suspected containers were on board a vessel that had docked in Port Elizabeth at the Ngqura Port.

The team, which included Customs Investigations, the K9 unit and SAPS Border Police, was duly activated and the process initiated to trace and secure the two containers,” said Lieutenant Colonel Katlego Mogale.

She said the inter-agency teams ensured that the targeted containers were removed to the container depot and upon opening the containers, it was found the contents were bananas, as described on the bill of lading, which also indicated that the container was destined for Cape Town.

After checking the cartons of bananas, the team uncovered a hidden compartment with a refrigeration unit. “Upon removing some of the panelling, the team discovered packages wrapped in brown tape.

The panelling was removed and a total of 40 packages, which tested positive for cocaine, were discovered in both the containers.

“Further profiling was conducted and discovered that there were a further two containers that were linked to the product type and packaging methodology on the same vessel. The team immediately decided to secure the containers,” said Mogale.

On Sunday at 1am, a sniffer dog reacted positively to the same rear refrigeration panelling as the previous two containers earlier.

“All role players then jointly removed the panelling and discovered a further 45 bricks wrapped in brown packaging tape, which tested positive for cocaine with an estimated weight of 45 kilograms in both containers. A total of 85 bricks with an approximate weight of 85 kilograms and an estimated street value of R85 million were seized,” said Mogale.

PORTS

MOZAMBIQUE: Total has acquired Anadarko’s 26.5 percent operated interest in the Mozambique LNG project for a purchase price of $ 3.9 billion.

This comes after Total reached a binding agreement with Occidental on May 3, 2019, to acquire Anadarko’s assets in Africa (Mozambique, Algeria, Ghana and South Africa) and signed the subsequent Purchase and Sale Agreement on August 3, 2019. This first transaction follows receipt of all requisite approvals by the relevant authorities and partners.

Car terminal breaks records SOUTH AFRICA: Last month the Port Elizabeth Car Terminal notched up a record delivery of vehicles to be loaded onto one ship when the Glovis Supreme stowed 4,500 units, beating the previous record set by the Glovis Sonic in February of this year of 3,481 vehicles. The increase in volumes is being attributed to increased demand from international markets.

“Mozambique LNG is one of a kind asset that perfectly fits with our strategy and expands our position in liquefied natural gas”, said Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman & CEO of Total.

“As the new operator, we are fully committed to the Mozambique LNG project and we will bring the best of our human, technical, marketing and financial capacities to further strengthen its execution. Total will of course work on the strong foundations established by the previous operator and its partners, in order to implement the project in the best interest of all those involved, including the government and the people of Mozambique.”

Comparing year on year, 8,217 units were handled in August 2018 versus 12,043 in 2019, an astronomical 31% increase.

“We are thrilled about the new record, which is attributed to team work and the upholding of high safety standards. The sector recovery both domestically and internationally, has brought the demand of the noted positive trend. The successful handling of the volumes was also made possible by the commitment of our teams at the car terminal. We are certainly pleased with the achievement as this would not have been possible without collaboration between Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) and its customers,” said Wandisa Vazi, Container & Auto Executive Manager for TPT’s Cape Channel.

PORTS

Bulk carrier docks in Saldanha on maiden voyage

Mozambique LNG is the country’s first onshore LNG development. The project includes the development of the Golfinho and Atum fields located within Offshore Area 1 and the construction of a two-trains liquefaction plant with a capacity of 12.9 million tonnes per year (Mt/y).

The Area 1 contains more than 60 Tcf of gas resources, of which 18 Tcf will be developed with the first two trains. The Final Investment Decision (FID) on Mozambique LNG was announced on June 18, 2019, and the project is expected to come into production by 2024.

SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) welcomed the bulk carrier, United Sapphire on her maiden voyage to the Port of Saldanha recently.

She docked at the iron ore terminal in Saldanha on Saturday, 26 September 2019 and a commemorative plaque was handed over to the master of the vessel to mark the occasion, by Mzwandile Mhlakela, TNPA’s Pollution Officer at the Port of Saldanha.

The Mozambique LNG project is largely derisked since almost 90% of the production is already sold through long-term contracts with key LNG buyers in Asia and in Europe. Additionally, the project is expected to have a domestic gas component for in-country consumption to help fuel future economic development.

The vessel was built in 2019 in Japan and is currently operated by United Bulk Carriers and sailing under the flag of Panama. She has a gross tonnage of 47 006 tons, a summer deadweight of 84700 tonnes and a length of 229 metres. With a draught of 13.6 metres, the vessel was able to take advantage of the largest natural, deep-water port in South Africa.

Total operates Mozambique LNG with a 26.5% participating interest alongside ENH Rovuma Área Um, S.A. (15%), Mitsui E&P Mozambique Area1 Ltd. (20%), ONGC Videsh Ltd. (10%), Beas Rovuma Energy Mozambique Limited (10%), BPRL Ventures Mozambique B.V. (10%), and PTTEP Mozambique Area 1 Limited (8.5%).

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