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One of the notable ships to call at the port of Durban recently was the Ro-Pax ferry named GNV Orion (IMO 9948607), making her delivery voyage from China to the Mediterranean. GNV Orion, the second in a series of similar but not identical ships, was calling principally for bunkers and fresh supplies although it is possible some wheeled cargo was discharged or loaded. Her visit mirrored that of the GNV Polaris in November 2024, with both ships having been rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope courtesy of security concerns in the Red Sea.   Read more…

In a development that underscores the precarious financial footing of South Africa’s logistics backbone, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has announced the approval of a R51 billion government guarantee facility for Transnet, with the backing of the Finance Minister. The support package — effectively a bailout in all but name — comes as Transnet wrestles with over R130 billion in debt and increasing liquidity constraints. The guarantee is intended to allow Transnet to meet its immediate debt obligations and sustain its capital investment programme, which includes long-overdue reforms in its freight rail and port infrastructure.   Read more…

In a media statement in response to the announcement yesterday of a R51 billion government guarantee, Transnet said it is focused on sustainable growth and improved performance. The company said it welcomes Minister of Transport’s announcement (during the Budget speech) of a R51 billion government guarantee facility to support its sustainability and long-term growth. “The facility will enable Transnet to refinance maturing debt and ensure the organisation’s continued access to adequate resources and facilities to be able to continue its operations as well as fund the capital investment programme for the foreseeable future,” the statement read.   Read more…

The Road Freight Association (RFA) has issued a statement saying it notes the decision by the Minister of Finance to increase the fuel levy by 4% (petrol 16 cents and diesel 15c a litre). Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association, said this will be directly felt by consumers, as  transporters cannot absorb increases without detrimental effects on their bottom-line (business sustainability). “This means that Treasury is ‘finding’ R4 billion towards the R75 billion shortfall from the previous iteration of the budget. “However, this underscores that Treasury would rather tax citizens than cut the wasteful expenditure that has brought the country to where it is.  Read more…

Port security personnel in Madagascar have completed a full-scale exercise and specialized training in Mahajanga Port to boost the safety and security of the country’s major ports. Held from 5 to 9 May, the workshop was led by IMO as part of the EU-funded Port Security Project. It focused on strengthening port security through drills and exercises aligned with the International  Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS Code). Twenty-four participants attended, including Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) from key ports, and representatives from the Port and Maritime Agency (APMF), the Gendarmerie Nationale and the National Police.    Read more…

After months of stalled negotiations and rising tensions, the United National Transport Union (UNTU) has informed its members that a facilitated settlement proposal has been tabled by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), aiming to resolve the ongoing wage dispute with Transnet. The “Commissioners’ Proposal for Settlement” was presented during proceedings at the Transnet Bargaining Council on Tuesday, 20 May 2025. The proposal comes as part of a Section 150 facilitation process mediated by senior CCMA commissioners between UNTU and Transnet.    Read more…

For the casual maritime observer who has a penchant for the unusual, the international oil and gas industry provides the required excitement. This is because of the incredibly complex vessel designs that cover a multitude of required offshore tasks, and the fact that in terms of scale, these specialised offshore vessel designs dwarf the vast majority of standard merchant vessels. For the casual maritime observer who prefers a bulk carrier, container vessel, or a pure car and truck carrier, it can be confusing that any type of offshore vessel can not only be larger than the type of vessel that tickles their fancy, but the offshore vessel provides almost no space for a commercial cargo to be carried within their hull.   Read more…

On 15 May Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed that HM The King has approved the appointment of General Sir Gwyn Jenkins KCB OBE RM as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, and Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty. Defence Secretary John Healey, commented: “I warmly congratulate General Sir Gwyn Jenkins on his selection as the next First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff. As the first Royal Marine appointed to the role, this is a hugely significant moment for the Royal Navy. “General Jenkins is a proven leader with a distinguished career in both the military and at the core of government.”   Read more…

A major breakthrough in South Africa’s port logistics landscape is underway as Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has signed a R285 million agreement with Grindrod Eyamakhosi Joint Venture to develop a new container handling facility at the Port of Richards Bay. The landmark deal, signed today at the port’s Bayvue precinct, marks a significant shift in the operational scope of Richards Bay – historically known as the country’s premier bulk cargo port. Once complete, the development will increase the port’s container handling capacity fourfold, from 50,000 to 200,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year.   Read more…

Despite volatile markets and growing geopolitical tensions, French shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM has reported a strong start to 2025, buoyed by strategic investments across its global operations. In the first quarter of 2025, the Group posted revenue of USD 13.3 billion, with EBITDA up 29.1% year-on-year to USD 3.1 billion, thanks largely to its maritime shipping operations. “Our direction is clear: control costs, strengthen positions in growth markets, and leverage AI to meet customer expectations,” said Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé.  Read more…

South Africa’s citrus export season has kicked off with promising momentum, as Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) reports a notable 21% increase in year-on-year volumes handled in April 2025. The surge signals a positive outlook for the industry as vessels loaded with fresh produce begin their journey to international markets. Between April and October, thousands of containers filled with oranges, mandarins, lemons, clementines, grapefruits, and limes depart South Africa’s shores for over 100 global destinations.    Read more…

Thirty African nations on 16 May wrapped up two weeks of intense training during Exercise Obangame Express 2025 (OE25), strengthening regional collaboration and reaffirming their commitment to maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean off Africa’s western coast. Obangame Express is an annual exercise currently in its 14th iteration and is the largest multinational maritime exercise in West and Central Africa. It is led by US Sixth Fleet and supported by US Africa Command.  Read more…

In a bold move to fast-track the maritime industry’s green transition, Dubai-based Drydocks World has co-founded the Global Green Shipyard Alliance (GGSA) — a new international coalition of leading shipyards committed to accelerating the adoption of clean technologies and unified environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards across the sector. The alliance brings together key players from across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including Astilleros Shipyard Group (Spain), BREDO Dry Docks GmbH (Germany), and IMC Shipyard Services Group, which operates across Singapore, China, and Thailand.  Read more…

On 13 May from Nairobi the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its Value of Air Transport study for Kenya, quantifying the substantial benefits that aviation (including aviation-related tourism) generates in terms of jobs and economic activity. Highlights from 2023 data show that aviation supports and facilitates: • USD 3.3 billion of economic activity (total impact including wider supply chain, employee spending, and tourism activities), equal to 3.1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Read more…

South Africa’s ailing logistics and freight rail network is set for a major turnaround, as Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced a raft of reforms and infrastructure investments aimed at restoring operational efficiency across the country’s critical supply chains. Speaking at the Rand Merchant Bank Think Summit in Johannesburg on Thursday, Creecy acknowledged that the systemic inefficiencies plaguing the sector are taking a heavy toll on the economy. Recent estimates peg the cost of logistics underperformance at a staggering R1 billion per day. In a significant development, Transnet last week awarded a R17 billion concession contract to five private sector partners.   Read more…

Two crew died and a number of others received injuries after the Mexican struck the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. The accident happened on Saturday night, 17 May 2025) as the training ship was manoeuvring near the Brooklyn Bridge.  According to initial reports, the Mexican Navy sailing ship lost engine power at around 20:20 local time as it manoeuvred near the bridge. The ship then passed underneath the bridge with its three masts colliding with the underneath of the bridge.   Read more…

Sometimes a maritime storyline takes more than the period of a month, or even longer, to play out. What first begins as a story of interest in the operational requirements of a particular African nation, and its oil and gas industry, then becomes an issue of serviceability, elsewhere in Africa, and which then becomes a storyline about something completely removed from the original, but still with an African context. This all despite the story starting on one side of the African continent, and has seemingly since moved to the other side of the African continent.  Read more…

Are you a qualified maritime graduate ready to take the next step?          AMSOL’s SAMSA-accredited Cadet Training Programme offers an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience across AMSOL’s diverse fleet. This Cadetship is designed to equip the next generation of maritime professionals and support a sustainable talent pipeline for the industry. Applications are now open – don’t miss your chance to join a dynamic company!      Read more…  

Survitec, a global leader in Survival Technology, has expanded its Fujairah service station, enhancing its ability to support the region’s growing demand for marine safety services.  The expansion adds 1,350 square metres of new capacity, transforming the facility into a full-service station that integrates liferaft servicing alongside existing lifeboat inspection and marine fire safety operations. The move aims to provide shipowners and operators with faster turnaround times, improved compliance, and a streamlined safety servicing solution.  Read more…

No Ban in Place as Phytosanitary Process Proceeds: The South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has clarified that no ban exists on banana imports from Tanzania, following recent speculation and media reports suggesting otherwise. The reports had hinted at a possible retaliatory ban on South African agricultural imports by Tanzanian authorities—allegedly in response to claims that South Africa blocks banana imports from Tanzania. In an official statement issued this week, the Department stressed that the two countries continue to maintain strong, cooperative ties in agricultural trade, and reaffirmed that South Africa has never imposed a ban on Tanzanian bananas.  Read more…

Port statistics for the month of March 2025, covering the eight commercial ports under the administration of Transnet National Ports Authority, are now available. The statistics here reflect port cargo throughputs, ships berthed and auto and container volumes handled together with liquid and dry bulk volumes. Motor vehicles are measured in vehicle units being the equal of 1 tonne per unit. Containers are counted in TEUs, with each TEU representing 13.5 tonnes.   Read more…

Folk Maritime Services Company, a key player in regional liner and feeder services and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced on Thursday (15 May) the addition of three new container vessels to its growing fleet, marking another strategic step in the Kingdom’s drive to become a global logistics hub under Vision 2030. The three newly acquired vessels — M/V Folk Dammam (1,868 TEU), M/V Folk Yanbu (702 TEU), and M/V Folk Jubail (1,118 TEU) — have all been registered under the Saudi flag at Jeddah Islamic Port.   Read more…

German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd has reported a robust start to 2025, posting solid gains in revenue and profit despite persistent geopolitical headwinds and market volatility. The company recorded a Group EBITDA of USD 1.1 billion (EUR 1.0 billion) for the first quarter, while Group EBIT rose to USD 487 million (EUR 463 million). Net profit jumped 45% year-on-year, reaching USD 469 million (EUR 446 million). The company’s Liner Shipping segment drove much of the growth, as revenues surged to USD 5.2 billion (EUR 5.0 billion).   Read more…

In a strategic move to restore confidence and traffic through the Suez Canal, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has announced a 15% discount on transit fees for container ships with a net tonnage of 130,000 metric tons or more. This incentive is valid for a period of 90 days commencing 15 May 2025 and aims to encourage shipping lines to return to the canal following recent improvements in Red Sea security. The decision has been taken alongside a significant decline in canal traffic and revenue, considered to be a result of security concerns stemming from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.  Read more…

For the casual maritime observer in South Africa, the gift that keeps on giving is, without doubt, the Houthis. This is despite this ragtag outfit not having launched a single attack on any shipping at any point this year thus far, and also despite President Trump making a random announcement to the world that the Houthis have unilaterally decided to stop all attacks on shipping making their way through the southern Red Sea, to or from the Suez Canal. Yet because there is still a reluctance to believe either of the protagonists, and….    Read more…

A new investigation by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has cast a harsh spotlight on the growing crisis engulfing Senegal’s fisheries — a crisis that is not only devastating local livelihoods but also driving a deadly surge in forced migration towards Europe. The report, accompanied by a hard-hitting documentary, reveals how overfishing and rampant illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing are crippling Senegal’s coastal communities. These pressures, largely from foreign industrial fleets, are rapidly eroding the nation’s small-scale fishing sector — an economic and cultural cornerstone that employs around 3% of the population and supplies nearly 8% of Senegal’s dietary protein.

New joint venture and vessel financing fund to support shift toward indigenous shipping capacity. Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced a decisive end to the longstanding practice of granting waivers to foreign shipping firms operating in the country’s coastal waters. The move aims to reinforce the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act of 2003, which mandates that domestic shipping activities be reserved for Nigerian-owned, -crewed, -built, or -flagged vessels. The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Abuja with representatives from NNPC Shipping, Swedish tanker giant Stena Bulk, and Caverton Offshore Support Group.    Read more…

Wärtsilä has officially launched its groundbreaking carbon capture solution (CCS) for the maritime sector, following the successful full-scale installation aboard the ethylene carrier Clipper Eris. The system, now commercially available, promises to reduce shipboard CO₂ emissions by up to 70%, marking a significant leap forward in shipping’s drive toward decarbonisation. “This is a game-changer for the maritime industry,” said Håkan Agnevall, Wärtsilä’s President and CEO. “With the pressure mounting from international climate goals, CCS offers shipowners a powerful tool to cut emissions and protect their assets from becoming obsolete.”   Read more…

AD Ports Group and Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) have signed a landmark 50-year renewable agreement to develop and operate a major industrial and logistics hub near East Port Said, strengthening trade and infrastructure ties between the UAE and Egypt. The deal, signed in Cairo and witnessed by top officials from both countries, will see the creation of KEZAD East Port Said Industrial and Logistics Zone, a 20 km² development located at the Mediterranean entrance to the Suez Canal — one of the world’s most strategic maritime trade routes.   Read more…

Africa Ports & Ships

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FIRST VIEW: Ro-Pax ferry – GNV ORION

Africa Ports & Ships

GNV Orion, the second in a series of similar but not identical ships, was calling principally for bunkers and fresh supplies although it is possible some wheeled cargo was discharged or loaded.

Her visit mirrored that of the GNV Polaris in November 2024, with both ships having been rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope courtesy of security concerns in the Red Sea.

Displaying the flag of Panama (a favourite registry among the many ships associated with MSC, of whom Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) is a subsidiary company), GNV Orion will in fact be reflagged on arrival with Genoa as her homeport under the Italian flag.

The ship was built in China by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), with her keel laid on 30 October 2023, her launching on 26 June 2024 and her delivery taking place on 16 April of this year.

Her sister ship names are GNV Polaris, which entered service late last year, GNV Virgo which becomes the third vessel still to be delivered and finally GNV Aurora which is expected to enter service by the end of this year.

On the technical side, GNV Orion has a length overall of 218 metres, a beam of 29.6m, a depth of 10m and a design draught of 6.45 metres, making her among the largest of her type in the Mediterranean. Her gross tonnage is approximately 52,900 tons and deadweight is 7,994 tons. Passenger capacity is 1,785 passengers, with 433 cabins available including 15 luxury suites.

On the vessel deck she has 3,100 lane metres giving her the capability of carrying over 600 cars or 200 trailers, or a combination of both.

Onboard amenities include a range of passenger facilities spread across 12 decks, including a self-service restaurant and pizzeria, a café and sightseeing lounge, duty-free shop, aviation-style seating area, a children’s play area, an outdoor bar, and seven elevators for passenger convenience.

The vessel is designed for comfort, with noise levels in living areas below 55 decibels at full speed.

Down in the engine room her four main engines are four MAN 9L48/60CR medium-speed diesel engines, providing a total power output of 1,400 kW and a maximum speed of 25 knots at 83.5% MCR.

The ship has a range of 3,500 nautical miles, adequate for service in the Mediterranean. In this day and age a new ship requires certain environmental features and GNV Orion is not lacking.

These consist of a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system for NOx reduction; Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems (EGCS) for SOx control; heat recovery via steam turbine generators (900 kW); silicone-based anti-fouling hull coating; and cold ironing capability for shore power connection.

These help the ship earn RINA ‘Green Plus’ and ‘BIOSAFE’ notations.

GNV Orion is expected to operate on the Genoa-Palermo route in the Mediterranean, commencing in June 2025.

Added 18 May 2025

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Transnet secures R51 billion state guarantee — but is it enough to keep the wheels turning?

The support package — effectively a bailout in all but name — comes as Transnet wrestles with over R130 billion in debt and increasing liquidity constraints.

The guarantee is intended to allow Transnet to meet its immediate debt obligations and sustain its capital investment programme, which includes long-overdue reforms in its freight rail and port infrastructure.

Of the R51 billion facility, R41 billion will cover funding requirements over the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years, while R10 billion is earmarked specifically for short-term liquidity and debt servicing.

The scale and urgency of the bailout highlight the gravity of Transnet’s financial crisis. In early May, ratings agency Moody’s warned that the state-owned entity would run out of operational funds within three months without a government intervention.

The agency placed Transnet under review for a possible credit downgrade, citing its “unsustainable capital structure” and “deteriorating liquidity position.”

In the private sector, a company in similar financial distress might already have been forced into business rescue proceedings or even liquidation. But as the custodian of South Africa’s rail freight and port logistics, such a failure is politically and economically unthinkable.

Hence, the government’s continued support — albeit at a time when public finances are under severe strain.

Indeed, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana noted in his February Budget Speech that pressures on state expenditure are mounting.

These include the loss of international donor funding (notably from PEPFAR/USAID), expanded infrastructure commitments through PRASA, and other statutory obligations.

The Transnet bailout adds another substantial obligation to the list, raising questions about fiscal sustainability and priority-setting.

The government insists the guarantee is conditional. Under the Guarantee Framework Agreement — co-managed by the Departments of Transport and Treasury — Transnet must adhere to operational reforms, performance improvements, and increased private sector participation.

To its credit, Transnet has begun rolling out such reforms. It moved 161 million tonnes of freight by rail by end-March and has initiated Private Sector Participation (PSP) transactions aimed at revitalising its network.

A December 2024 Network Statement has opened the way for third-party rail operators, and a Request for Information (RFI) for five key corridors and ports is due to close at the end of May.

These moves are consistent with the broader “Freight Logistics Roadmap,” but critics note the pace remains sluggish and the strategic turnaround uneven.

Despite earlier R47 billion in guaranteed support announced in December 2023, Transnet remains financially fragile. The latest bailout does not address the deeper issues of legacy inefficiencies, poor governance, and deferred maintenance that have plagued the utility for years.

There is cautious optimism among industry stakeholders that increased private involvement could help improve efficiencies and restore credibility. However, whether these efforts can deliver tangible results before another financial crisis looms remains to be seen.

A more permanent fix would require not just financial triage but deep structural reforms — potentially including a rethinking of Transnet’s ownership model or a clearer delineation of its commercial and developmental mandates.

For now, the government has opted for another round of state guarantees, effectively delaying more difficult decisions.

Transnet’s bailout underscores the central dilemma facing South Africa’s state-owned enterprises: they are too critical to fail, yet often too mismanaged to succeed without state intervention.

While the R51 billion guarantee may buy Transnet time, it also raises the stakes — both financially and politically — if the promised reforms do not materialise swiftly and convincingly.

South Africa’s economy depends on efficient, reliable logistics. Whether Transnet can deliver that in its current form remains uncertain. What is clear is that the taxpayer is once again footing the bill for past failings, with no guarantee — ironic, perhaps — that this will be the last such rescue.

Added 22 May 2025

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Transnet responds to state guarantee facility

The company said it welcomes Minister of Transport’s announcement (during the Budget speech) of a R51 billion government guarantee facility to support its sustainability and long-term growth.

“The facility will enable Transnet to refinance maturing debt and ensure the organisation’s continued access to adequate resources and facilities to be able to continue its operations as well as fund the capital investment programme for the foreseeable future,” the statement read.

“It will also enable Transnet to focus on operational improvements and strategic reforms.

Saying that in line with existing Guarantee Framework Conditions, Transnet has made significant strides in implementing rail and port reforms, the company added that “in pursuit of enhanced partnership and collaboration, several key Private Sector Participation (PSP) transactions are being implemented.

“PSPs are a key element of the organisation’s strategy to modernise its operations and infrastructure and grow the logistics sector for the benefit of the economy.

“With Government’s commitment to support its recovery and strong collaboration with customers and industry partners, Transnet is on course to recover and fulfil its strategic role in the South African economy.”

Added 22 May 2025

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Fuel Levy Hike: South African consumers face heavier burden, says RFA

Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association, said this will be directly felt by consumers, as transporters cannot absorb increases without detrimental effects on their bottom-line (business sustainability).

“This means that Treasury is ‘finding’ R4 billion towards the R75 billion shortfall from the previous iteration of the budget.

“However, this underscores that Treasury would rather tax citizens than cut the wasteful expenditure that has brought the country to where it is.

“Transport will become more expensive, consumers will pay more, and the old adage that government can keep increasing taxes and levies to fund its uncontrolled spending remains true.”

Kelly said that government does not have money – it belongs to the taxpayers, and the time for accountability and responsibility has come.

“Unfortunately, from June, the cost of logistics – 85% of which runs by road freight – will become more expensive,” he said.

“The consumer will pay more, transport through South Africa will become more expensive, global supply chains will re-evaluate their routes and you and I will dig deeper into our pockets for goods and services and transport to work whilst the government has ‘found’ a way to fund its salary and wage increases, as well as all the other vanity programmes it constantly runs.

“This is not a good decision, neither in the medium nor long term.”

Added 22 May 2025

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Madagascar: IMO and port security

Held from 5 to 9 May, the workshop was led by IMO as part of the EU-funded

It focused on strengthening port security through drills and exercises aligned with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS Code).

Twenty-four participants attended, including Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs) from key ports, and representatives from the Port and Maritime Agency (APMF), the Gendarmerie Nationale and the National Police.

Training combined theoretical instruction with sessions to enhance skills in planning, conducting and evaluating security drills. The curriculum followed the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Manual of Maritime Security Drills and Exercises for Port Facilities, with emphasis on ISPS Code Part A requirements.

Participants designed and carried out a full-scale exercise at the port of Mahajanga, involving all stakeholders as well as Customs and local firefighting services.

The exercise tested coordination, implementation of port facility security plans, and operational readiness.

The workshop supports Madagascar’s ongoing efforts to comply with international standards, while strengthening port security infrastructure across the region.

Added 22 May 2025

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UNTU to decide on wage offer as CCMA steps in to break Transnet impasse

The “Commissioners’ Proposal for Settlement” was presented during proceedings at the Transnet Bargaining Council on Tuesday, 20 May 2025.

The proposal comes as part of a Section 150 facilitation process mediated by senior CCMA commissioners between UNTU and Transnet. South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (SATAWU) also engaged with the CCMA separately on the same day.

The proposal includes a three-year agreement, backdated to 1 April 2025, offering a 6% wage increase across the board for each of the next three years.

Employees who did not receive the initial April adjustment will receive back pay from June. Importantly, Transnet has committed to no mandatory retrenchments during the term of the agreement.

According to the union, if a majority of its members vote in favour of accepting the proposal, it will be binding on all bargaining unit employees.

Should the offer be rejected, however, UNTU will issue notice of its intention to initiate industrial action, following the union’s internal balloting process under section 64(1) of the Labour Relations Act.

Transnet has meanwhile welcomed the involvement of the CCMA in facilitating the conciliation and said it remains committed to engaging constructively in the process.

In a Facebook post published late Tuesday, UNTU reiterated that the facilitated offer is not a final settlement yet, but a proposal requiring membership endorsement. The union leadership urged members to scrutinise the terms carefully, adding that the mandate process would be conducted urgently in the coming days.

This latest move is seen as a critical juncture in the wage negotiations, with potential ramifications for Transnet’s operations across ports, rail, and freight logistics, should industrial action be triggered.

A previous offer from Transnet of a 6% pay increase over the next two years and 5.5% in the third year was rejected by UNTU, which had been demanding 10% in th first year alone.

A strike in the ports and railways involving the largest trade union will have far-reaching consequences, particularly as the peak citrus export season approaches.

In the ports Transnet Port Terminals has only recently got on top of issues that resulted in costly congestion at the container terminals, with ships delayed outside port and adding to the adnormally lengthy periods that South African terminals require to discharge and load container vessels.

Added 21 May 2025

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WHARF TALK: multipurpose offshore construction and support vessel – SHEN DA HAO

For the casual maritime observer who prefers a bulk carrier, container vessel, or a pure car and truck carrier, it can be confusing that any type of offshore vessel can not only be larger than the type of vessel that tickles their fancy, but the offshore vessel provides almost no space for a commercial cargo to be carried within their hull.

Even without the issue of what the idiotic Houthis might be up to, South African ports regularly play host to offshore vessels en-route to, or from, their oil and gas contract areas. Some of these vessels utilise Cape Town or Durban for maintenance needs, or logistical requirements, but also for a transit point for newbuild vessels. The last is what the casual maritime observer waits for.

On 16 May, at 10:00 in the morning, the multipurpose offshore construction and support vessel ‘Shen Da Hao’ (IMO 9870537) arrived off Cape Town, from Hong Kong. She entered Cape Town harbour, proceeding into the Duncan Dock, and initially was placed alongside the Landing Wall, which indicated that she was possibly in need of some local maintenance support.

Although built in 2022, ‘Shen Da Hao’ was only delivered to her new owners in March 2025. She was built by Wuchang Shipbuilding at Qingdao in China, and is 184 metres in length, with a gross registered tonnage of 29,272 tons. Her three year delay in delivery from the shipyard was due to the fact that, initially, no customer could be found for the vessel.

She is a diesel electric vessel and power for both domestic and propulsion requirements comes from six MAN-B&W 8L32/44 CR generators providing 4,630 kW each, for a total of 27,780 kW. Power is transferred to three Kongsberg UUC 455 azimuth propulsion thrusters, each providing 5,500 kW to give her a maximum seaspeed of 15 knots, and a service speed of 12 knots.

Her auxiliary machinery includes a single Mitsubishi S12R-M(P)TA emergency generator providing 1,200 kW. She has three exhaust gas boilers, and a single oil fired boiler. With two water making systems, ‘Shen Da Hao’ can produce 100 tons of fresh water per day. For added manoeuvrability she has two bow Kongsberg ULE 255 retractable azimuth thrusters providing 3,100 kW each, and two bow Kongsberg TT 3300 transverse thrusters providing 3,100 kW each.

Her azimuth propulsion systems, and her mix of manoeuvring thrusters gives ‘Shen Da Hao’ a dynamic positioning classification of DP3, the highest classification possible. She has a Kongsberg GE DP system which, for position keeping requirements, uses three DGPS systems, two Cyscan systems, two Sonardyne systems, two Taut Wire systems, one Radarscan system, and one DPS-INS system. Her DP3 system can hold position in conditions of wave heights up to 5.2 metres, wind speeds up to 37 knots, and current speeds of up to 2 knots.

As a pipelaying vessel, she is able to lay rigid pipes, flexible pipes, umbilical cables and piggyback pipes using a Royal IHC pipe lay tower. She has a pipe reel that can hold up to 4,000 tons of rigid pipes, up to a maximum diameter of 18 inches, as well as an underdeck cable carousel that can hold up to 5,000 tons of flexible pipes, or umbilicals, up to a maximum diameter of 25 inches.

Her Royal IHC pipe lay tower, which can conduct vertical lay operations, with the tower able to be angled anywhere between 40° and 90°, allows ‘Shen Da Hao’ to lay pipes up to a depth of 3,000 metres. She is able to operate almost anywhere on earth, as she has an ice classification of ICE C, which allows her to operate in Baltic Sea first year ice thickness of up to 0.4 metres.

When utilised as a heavylift crane vessel, she is fitted with an NOV active heave compensated (AHC) knuckleboom crane, with a lifting capacity of 400 tons for subsea lifts, down to a depth of 3,000 metres, and up to 800 tons for surface lifts. Her main deck crane is a MacGregor active heave compensated (AHC) knuckleboom crane, with a lifting capacity of 50 tons for subsea lifts, and up to 100 tons for surface lifts. She has a working deck area of 1,800 m2, with a deck strength of 15 tons/m2.

When utilised as a diving support vessel ‘Shen Da Hao’ provides a diving saturation system that can accommodate up to 24 divers. She can utilise up to two diving bells, which can be launched via a moonpool of 4.2 metres by 4.2 metres. She also provides a ROV hangar, which can house two working remote operating vehicles (WROV), one of which can operate down to a depth of 3,000 metres, and the other able to operate as deep as 6,000 metres.

Designed by the Shanghai Jiahao Shipbuilding Engineering Research and Design Company, of Shanghai, ‘Shen Da Hao’ has an endurance of 60 days, and an operating range of 10,000 nautical miles. She provides accommodation for up to 180 persons, and for offshore crew change requirements, or logistics deliveries, she if fitted with a raised, bow helideck with a diameter of 22.2 metres, and a weight restriction of 12.8 tons, which allows her to accept the largest helicopter utilised in the offshore oil and gas industry, the Sikorsky S-92A.

Owned by China Offshore Engineering Solutions (COES) Shanghai Salvage Co., of Shanghai, and managed by COES Caledonia (UK) Ltd., of Dundee in Scotland, she is now operated by Saipem SpA, of Milan in Italy, who have taken her on a long charter for use on contracts in the North Sea. It is quite rare that a Chinese state owned vessel is to be used for long term North Sea operations, as COES is the government offshore marine construction company, and falls under the Chinese Ministry of Transport. Her COES Caledonia UK subsidiary company was only registered in 2018.

Whilst alongside the Landing Wall in Cape Town harbour, ‘Shen Da Hao’ received her uplift of bunkers from the Cape Town harbour bunker tanker ‘Southern Valour’. Once complete, and whatever the reason for her being berthed at the far end of the Duncan Dock, she was then shifted across the dock and placed alongside the Passenger Cruise Terminal at E berth.

She remained on this berth until all of her logistical loading requirements were complete, and at 16:00 in the late afternoon of 18 May, after just over two days alongside, she sailed from Cape Town. Her AIS now showed her that she was bound for Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands, no doubt another logistic stop for bunkers, store and fresh provisions, prior to her making her way into the North Sea and to begin the first commercial episode of her working life.

Taking the long voyage from the China shipyard where she was built, to the North Sea, via the Cape sea route, still implies that the Houthi menace may have played a part in that decision, but for the casual maritime observer, who might salivate over offshore vessels, the call of ‘Shen Da Hao’ was most welcome, and her sheer size and complexity just reaffirmed why it is that they prefer offshore oil and gas industry vessels to most any other.

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UK appoints new First Sea Lord: General Sir Gwyn Jenkins KCB OBE ADC

Defence Secretary John Healey, commented: “I warmly congratulate General Sir Gwyn Jenkins on his selection as the next First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff. As the first Royal Marine appointed to the role, this is a hugely significant moment for the Royal Navy.

“General Jenkins is a proven leader with a distinguished career in both the military and at the core of government. I know he will deliver in this pivotal role, making Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin added: “I am very pleased to welcome General Jenkins as the next First Sea Lord.

“As one of the outstanding Royal Marines of his generation, he brings with him a wealth of operational and organisational expertise. His appointment reflects a Corps which is bound even more tightly to the way the Royal Navy thinks, operates and fights.”

General Sir Gwyn Jenkins responded with: “Throughout my career, I have always been motivated by the vital role the Royal Navy has in keeping our nation safe. To do that now, we need to accelerate our return to a war fighting force that is ready for conflict, expand our modernisation efforts and deliver the Royal Navy our nation needs.”

Gwyn Jenkins was commissioned into the Royal Marines in 1990 and served in the Commando Logistics Regiment and on operations in Northern Ireland with 42 Commando RM.

He is a graduate of the Advanced Command and Staff Course at the Royal Military College Shrivenham where he completed a master’s degree in Defence Studies in 2004. He went on to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel overseeing global operations in Permanent Joint HQ, before a Commanding Officer appointment in 2009.

On completion of his command tour he was promoted to Colonel and deployed for twelve months to Afghanistan, for which he was appointed OBE, returning to the UK in 2012 as the Military Assistant to the Prime Minster in No 10 Downing Street.

After two years in staff appointment in April 2017 he took command of 3 Commando Brigade, conducting exercises and overseeing operational deployments around the world. He was promoted to Major General in January 2019, in which rank he served first in the Royal Navy as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff and subsequently commanded a tri-service organisation.

In August 2022 he was selected as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and promoted to General. In November that year he was appointed Commandant General Royal Marines.

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Richards Bay secures R285 million container terminal deal to boost regional trade

The landmark deal, signed today at the port’s Bayvue precinct, marks a significant shift in the operational scope of Richards Bay – historically known as the country’s premier bulk cargo port.

Once complete, the development will increase the port’s container handling capacity fourfold, from 50,000 to 200,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) per year.

The move is part of TNPA’s wider strategic effort to diversify the port’s cargo mix and unlock economic growth in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Crucially, the new facility will become capable of providing a competitive alternative to Durban and Maputo ports for inland cargo owners.

“The establishment of this facility is now critical as Transnet implements its ‘Reinvent for Growth’ strategy,” said Transnet Board Chairperson Andile Sangqu at the signing ceremony.

“This project is a blueprint for aligning commercial growth with community upliftment and inclusive development.”

The facility is strategically located to serve the regional hinterland, with an emphasis on reducing transport lead times and lowering logistics costs—longstanding challenges for South Africa’s freight economy.

Once fully operational in 2028, the facility is expected to create approximately 122 permanent jobs, benefitting the local Richards Bay community.

Grindrod CEO Xolani Mbambo described the project as an important step in strengthening Africa’s trade corridors.

“Our investment supports Grindrod’s purpose of enhancing trade and positively impacting local communities,” he said.

“Partnering with Eyamakhosi ensures local insight and empowers authentic participation in shaping regional logistics.”

The facility will feature state-of-the-art cargo handling technology, with infrastructure geared towards improving vessel turnaround times and supply chain efficiency.

In line with TNPA’s long-term port master plan, the container terminal is also part of a broader effort to modernise KwaZulu-Natal’s port infrastructure—including upgrades to support liquid bulk handling and multimodal connectivity.

With this development, Richards Bay has the potential to transform from a bulk commodity stronghold into a multimodal logistics hub—positioning the Zululand port as a key player in regional trade integration for Southern Africa.

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CMA CGM posts strong Q1 results amid market uncertainty, pushes global expansion and AI investments

In the first quarter of 2025, the Group posted revenue of USD 13.3 billion, with EBITDA up 29.1% year-on-year to USD 3.1 billion, thanks largely to its maritime shipping operations.

“Our direction is clear: control costs, strengthen positions in growth markets, and leverage AI to meet customer expectations,” said Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé.

CMA CGM’s first Indian-flagged vessel, CMA CGM Vitoria, docked at Nhava Sheva, signalling deeper cooperation following PM Modi’s visit to Marseille.

A $20 billion multi-year investment plan aims to expand the Group’s U.S. presence, including modernising ports, adding US-flagged vessels, and establishing a major air cargo hub in Chicago.

New contracts signed to operate the Latakia container terminal and a dry port in Egypt.

Acquired majority stake in Santos Brasil, a major multi-terminal operator.

Expanded air freight operations by taking over Air Belgium’s freight unit; CEVA Logistics acquired Borusan Logistics in Turkey.

Now operating Lyon Rhône Terminal, bolstering inland waterway and intermodal logistics.

CMA CGM is accelerating its digital transformation through a €100 million partnership with Mistral AI, aimed at developing sector-specific AI solutions.

In Marseille, the new Grand Central innovation campus will house ZEBOX (startup incubator), CMA CGM Foundation initiatives, and educational institutions such as École 42.

Carried 5.8 million TEUs, up 4.2% YoY. Revenue reached USD 8.8 billion; EBITDA margin improved to 28.9%.

Revenue hit USD 4.3 billion, boosted by the acquisition of Bolloré Logistics.

Revenue up 30.9% to USD 833 million.

CMA CGM warned that persistent Red Sea disruptions and new trade barriers — particularly between the U.S. and China — pose risks to global trade volumes.

Nonetheless, the Group remains committed to cost control, route diversification, and tech-led transformation to navigate instability and capture growth.

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TPT ramps up readiness as SA’s citrus export season gets off to a strong start

The surge signals a positive outlook for the industry as vessels loaded with fresh produce begin their journey to international markets.

Between April and October, thousands of containers filled with oranges, mandarins, lemons, clementines, grapefruits, and limes depart South Africa’s shores for over 100 global destinations.

To ensure smooth operations, TPT has implemented key strategies, including hiring 256 additional workers on fixed-term contracts, conducting maintenance on reefer plug points, and acquiring 100 new pieces of equipment.

TPT’s General Manager for Commercial and Planning, Michelle van Buuren Schele, emphasised the organization’s commitment to operational excellence, stating, “Our operations have stabilised and are now focused on growing the business, meeting customer expectations, and making South Africa win.”

While the Citrus Growers Association has projected a 3.6% rise in citrus volumes this season, exporters are bracing for potential tariff hikes on citrus shipments to the United States, expected to take effect in July.

TPT, however, has reassured stakeholders of its dedication to a seamless and successful season.

Efforts to streamline operations include 24-hour advance access at Durban’s container terminals for reefer arrivals on day one of stacking, while Ngqura Container Terminal will prioritise a first-come, first-serve approach.

Weather conditions, a critical factor in logistics, will be closely monitored in collaboration with the South African Weather Services to mitigate potential disruptions.

South Africa’s citrus exports are anchored in provinces such as Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and North West — further reinforcing the importance of efficient port operations at Durban and Port Elizabeth terminals.

With strengthened infrastructure and renewed focus, TPT says it stands ready to support the country’s citrus industry through another fruitful season.

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Exercise Obangame Express 2025 concludes in Cabo Verde

by defenceWeb | 19 May 2025

Obangame Express is an annual exercise currently in its 14th iteration and is the largest multinational maritime exercise in West and Central Africa. It is led by US Sixth Fleet and supported by US Africa Command. The name ‘Obangame’ stems from the Fang language meaning ‘togetherness’.

Participating nations worked side-by-side to address shared maritime threats and refine command-and-control procedures across the region’s strategic waters, the US Navy said.

Military forces deployed more than 30 ships, multiple aircraft, and 21 maritime operations centres to carry out scenarios such as piracy interdiction, illegal fishing enforcement, oil platform protection, and maritime search-and-rescue.

Maritime partners operated in real time—both at sea and ashore—focused on speed, coordination, and shared responsibility.

“Obangame Express demonstrates the strength of regional cooperation by promoting stability and security across the Gulf of Guinea,” said Ambassador, Robert Scott, Deputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Engagements, US Africa Command.

“The collaboration, professionalism and mutual respect displayed throughout this exercise are a testament to what we can achieve together. US Africa Command remains proud to support these efforts, strengthening regional stability and promoting a more secure and prosperous coastline for all. We thank Cabo Verde for its partnership and exceptional hosting of this exercise.”

African coastal states led many of the operations with the strong support from international partners, including the United States, France, Portugal, Brazil, and Denmark.

These nations contributed both classroom instruction and hands-on training, helping build skills and interoperability, the US Navy said.

Crews exchanged real-time intelligence, synchronized communication systems, and tested multinational response capabilities. The West and Central Africa Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) network played a key role in sharing information and maintaining maritime domain awareness across borders.

Subject matter experts from various participating nations delivered classroom instruction covering maritime law, medical readiness, and command-and-control techniques.

These exchanges improved interoperability, strengthened mutual understanding, and laid the groundwork for long-term cooperation beyond the exercise, according to the US Navy.

“This year, 22 African nations and 8 international partners have gathered here to strengthen cooperation, build collective capacity, and address maritime security challenges. The number of countries participating is a testament to the strength of our shared commitment to regional peace and security,” said US Ambassador to the Republic of Cabo Verde Jennifer Adams.

Participating nations in OE25 include: Angola, Benin, Belgium, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Liberia, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Togo, United Kingdom and the United States.

OE25 has significantly expanded its illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF)-related training. The exercise included 21 IUUF-focused scenarios, legal finish simulations, and new cross-border interdiction drills.

Training emphasizes not just stopping vessels at sea but following through with evidence collection and prosecution.

“In response to these threats and strong interest from African partners, OE25 has incorporated counter IUU-F activities directly into the exercise, beginning with the role of Maritime Operation Centres in enhancing surveillance, coordination and information sharing among regional maritime forces,” said Scott.

US Coast Guard and interagency experts supported legal tabletop exercises during the two-week operation.

These sessions were designed to strengthen the ability of African nations to apply maritime law and prosecute offenders under the Yaoundé Code of Conduct—a regional security framework signed by 25 West and Central African states.

While hosted by Cabo Verde, the exercise stretched across five maritime zones from Senegal to Angola and involved over 100 US personnel, including boarding teams and legal advisors.

Written by defenceWeb and republished with permission. The original article can be found here

Added 19 May 2025

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Global shipyards launch alliance to drive maritime sustainability

The alliance brings together key players from across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including Astilleros Shipyard Group (Spain), BREDO Dry Docks GmbH (Germany), and IMC Shipyard Services Group, which operates across Singapore, China, and Thailand.

These founding members represent a cross-section of vital maritime regions and sectors, with a shared goal of transforming ship repair, construction, and retrofitting practices through sustainable innovation.

Announced today in Dubai, the GGSA will be seen as a timely initiative in the face of mounting global pressure on the shipping industry to decarbonise.

The coalition aims to become a central platform for collaborative development and scalable implementation of environmentally responsible solutions — including hybrid propulsion systems, energy-efficient retrofits, digital optimisation, and compliance with emissions regulations.

“The formation of the Global Green Shipyard Alliance reflects our shared responsibility to accelerate the maritime industry’s decarbonisation journey,” said Captain Rado Antolovic, CEO of Drydocks World.

“We are proud to be a founding member and to collaborate with our global counterparts to advance sustainable, efficient practices across the sector. This alliance marks a major step forward, reinforcing our commitment to delivering long-term environmental value.”

As the maritime world faces rising regulatory demands, customer expectations, and investment scrutiny, the GGSA is positioning itself not only as a vehicle for compliance but as a force for innovation.

By pooling expertise and sharing lessons learned, the alliance is expected to bring viable, high-impact solutions to market more quickly.

“Through the Global Green Shipyard Alliance, we have an opportunity to work alongside our peers to drive measurable improvements in shipbuilding and retrofitting,” noted Imran Inamdar, Chief Operating Officer at Drydocks World.

“This collaboration will help raise industry standards, improve outcomes, and enable the sector’s transition in ways that are both scalable and practical,” he said.

The launch of the GGSA builds on DP World’s growing leadership in global sustainability coalitions.

The alliance follows the establishment of the Zero Emission Port Alliance (ZEPA) — aimed at scaling battery-electric equipment for container handling — and participation in the First Movers Coalition, a platform for companies to jointly invest in zero-emission transport solutions by aggregating demand.

As the sector looks toward the International Maritime Organization’s climate targets for 2030 and beyond, alliances like the GGSA may become essential accelerators in the race to decarbonise global shipping.

Drydocks World, a member of the DP World group, is situated next to Dubai’s Port Rashid and has one of the largest and most advanced facilities in the Middle East, with five world-class docks and over 4,000 metres of berth space. This is capable of accommodating up to 10 ULCC vessels simultaneously.

Drydocks World handles over 300 projects annually and has a record of managing 42 refurbishment projects at once. The company specialises in ship and rig repair, maintenance, vessel conversions, and upgrades, while also driving innovation in advanced newbuild solutions including growing expertise in offshore wind energy platforms.

Added 19 May 2025

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• USD 3.3 billion of economic activity (total impact including wider supply chain, employee spending, and tourism activities), equal to 3.1% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

• 460,000 jobs (total impact including wider supply chain, employee spending, and tourism activities), 5,700 of which are directly employed by airlines

• 380,000 tonnes of air cargo, making it is the 35th largest air cargo market in the world

The full study is available by the link HERE

In the words of Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General: “Kenya’s aviation sector is a vital economic driver, contributing USD 3.3 billion to GDP and supporting 460,000 jobs.

“With Africa’s aviation market projected to grow at 3.7% over the next 20 years, the potential for these substantial economic and social benefits to grow are enormous. This will, however, require efficient, cost-competitive infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

As Kenya expands its airport infrastructure, IATA encourages continued collaboration with airline stakeholders and alignment with global standards and best practices. Efficient, cost-effective infrastructure is vital to strengthening Kenya’s position as a leading East African hub for trade and tourism.

The implementation of Kenya’s electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system has the potential to significantly enhance the country’s appeal as a destination for both leisure and business travel, as the system continues to be refined. Kenya’s competitiveness as a hub for both passenger and cargo activity can be strengthened with a comprehensive strategy for digitalization of facilitation processes.

A skilled aviation workforce is critical to growing aviation’s benefits in Kenya. Key areas for capacity-building include technical operations, ground operations, maintenance, digital transformation and sustainability. IATA’s regional training centre, with Kenya Airways as its training partner, will contribute to building Kenya’s aviation workforce of the future.

IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 340 airlines comprising more than 80% of global air traffic.

IATA has published more than 80 national Value of Air Transport studies, available by the link HERE

Aviation country reports are available in respect of the following States in:

• Algeria
• Côte D’Ivoire
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Iraq
• Kenya
• Morocco
• Nigeria
• Oman
• Rwanda
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• United Arab Emirates

Developed in partnership with independent economists at Oxford Economics, each report contains a comprehensive analysis of the contributions of aviation to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment, tourism, cargo and connectivity.

Given how the demand for air transport has continued to grow, it is reasonable to assume the economic contribution and employment supported by aviation has increased since the data were compiled in 2023.

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South Africa unveils reforms to revive logistics and freight rail sectors

Speaking at the Rand Merchant Bank Think Summit in Johannesburg on Thursday, Creecy acknowledged that the systemic inefficiencies plaguing the sector are taking a heavy toll on the economy. Recent estimates peg the cost of logistics underperformance at a staggering R1 billion per day.

In a significant development, Transnet last week awarded a R17 billion concession contract to five private sector partners. The deal will see the funding, construction, and operation of several new liquid bulk terminals at the Port of Richards Bay – a strategic gateway for South Africa’s bulk exports and imports.

Creecy emphasised that government is working in close partnership with Transnet, business, and other stakeholders to tackle infrastructure backlogs and operational bottlenecks.

Key freight corridors have seen targeted interventions in security and maintenance, with short-term mechanisms being explored to accelerate investment while broader structural reforms unfold.

“Transnet will be submitting bids to National Treasury’s Budget Facility for Infrastructure to support maintenance and refurbishment of key rail networks and selected terminals,” she said.

These efforts are beginning to yield results. National freight rail volumes reached 161 million tonnes per annum by March 2025 — an improvement on previous years, though still far short of the 2030 target of 220 million tonnes.

Transnet has rolled out a detailed recovery plan aimed at stabilising both port and rail volumes. The plan includes the creation of dedicated ‘war rooms’ focused on specific corridors and commodity flows, where Transnet and private partners collaborate to address critical challenges such as derailments and unplanned outages.

Port equipment replacement and refurbishment is also underway. Cranes, straddle carriers, haulers, and rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes are being upgraded, and improved coordination with original equipment manufacturers has eased the availability of spare parts — leading to reduced vessel waiting times and shorter truck queues at several terminals.

In Cape Town, better alignment with fruit exporters and other logistics stakeholders has significantly improved operational reliability.

“Despite more wind stoppages this year, there are no vessels waiting to berth due to poor operational performance,” Creecy confirmed.

Meanwhile in Richards Bay, a new truck holding facility has been introduced to alleviate congestion on the N2 and surrounding port access roads. This joint initiative between the municipality and port authorities is easing traffic flow in one of the country’s busiest export hubs.

The recovery momentum is being guided by the National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC), established in 2023 to fast-track improvements in rail and port operations.

The committee’s focus includes addressing inefficiencies along critical freight corridors, decongesting border crossings such as those on the N1 and N3 highways, tackling cable theft, and addressing maintenance backlogs.

These operational interventions are aligned with two key policy frameworks: the National Rail Policy (2022) and the National Freight Logistics Roadmap (2023).

The rail policy introduces open access and encourages private sector participation in the state-owned network — a move expected to increase competition, lower transport costs, and improve service quality.

Looking ahead, Transnet will release a Request for Information (RFI) in the coming months to explore solutions for five major freight rail and port corridors. The RFI process, Creecy explained, will inform the drafting of detailed Requests for Proposals (RFPs), expected by August 2025.

Further engagement is planned for the passenger rail sector. A separate RFI — covering signalling systems, rolling stock, depots, and potential high-speed corridors — will be issued in June.

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) is expected to follow up with formal RFPs in October.

With long-overdue structural reforms finally gaining traction and fresh capital flowing into port and rail infrastructure, industry stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether these initiatives can reverse the sector’s decline and unlock South Africa’s logistics potential.

Added 19 May 2025

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Two dead, multiple injuries as Mexican sail training ship strikes US Brooklyn Bridge

The accident happened on Saturday night, 17 May 2025) as the training ship was manoeuvring near the Brooklyn Bridge.

According to initial reports, the Mexican Navy sailing ship lost engine power at around 20:20 local time as it manoeuvred near the bridge. The ship then passed underneath the bridge with its three masts colliding with the underneath of the bridge.

Two of the crew who were up on the masts fell to their death as a result of the collision, which snapped off several metres from the tops of the masts, causing a number of crew to fall to the deck below.

After the collision a large number of other crew were seen from the shore either clinging to ropes and masts or climbing down to safety.

The reports say a number of crew received injuries – at least 19 of whom two were said to be in a critical condition.

The Cuauhtémoc was carrying a crew of 277.

The sailing ship, which is on a goodwill training visit to the USA, has since been moved to Manhattan’s Pier 36 on the East River.

The Brooklyn Bridge was not damaged and has since reopened to traffic.

The accident, the latest to involve a vessel striking a bridge in the USA, will be investigated by the US National Transportation Safety Board.

Watch a comprehensive YouTube video [14:56] of the incident – see the link below:

Added 18 May 2025

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WHARF TALK: anchor handling and ocean salvage tug – BOKA FORWARD

Back on 10th April, at 01:00 in the early morning, the anchor handling and ocean salvage tug arrived off Cape Town, initially from Abidjan in the Ivory Coast. She entered Cape Town harbour, proceeding into the Duncan Dock and was placed alongside the Eastern Mole. Initial indications was this was yet another simple example of a logistics call for bunkers, stores and fresh provisions, with the vessel being quickly turned around, and expected to sail with 24 hours to continue with her voyage.

Built in 2008 by Mützelfeldt Werft GmbH at Cuxhaven in Germany, ‘Boka Forward’ is 65 metres in length and has a gross registered tonnage of 2,789 tons. As a salvage tug, she is powered by two MaK 8M32C eight cylinder, four stroke, main engines producing 5,365 bhp (4,000 kW) each, and two MaK 6M32C six cylinder, four stroke, main engines producing 4,025 bhp (3,000 kW) each. The combined power of her four engines produces 18,780 bhp (14,000 kW), which drive two nozzled Schottel SCP1194 controllable pitch propellers, linked to two high performance flap type rudders, giving her an intervention sea speed of 16.5 knots.

Her auxiliary machinery includes two Caterpillar 3412 DITA generators providing 532 kW each, and a single Caterpillar C9 emergency generator providing 280 kW. She has a single AWE600 exhaust gas boiler, and a single DWE800 oil fired boiler. For added manoeuvrability ‘Boka Forward’ has two bow Schottel STT330 transverse thrusters providing 400 kW each, and a single stern Schottel STT330 transverse thruster providing 400 kW. Her overall configuration mix of Schottel propulsion and transverse thrusters gives ‘Boka Forward’ a dynamic positioning classification of DP2.

As both an anchor handling tug, and an ocean salvage tug, ‘Boka Forward’ has an aft working deck of 297 m2, with a deck strength of 10 tons/m2. For her towing applications, she has a bollard pull of 219 tons. She is fitted with a main towing winch spool holding 1,600 metres of 76 mm towing wire, with a spare winch spool holding 1,200 metres of 76 mm towing wire, and a work winch spool holding 300 metres of 76 mm towing wire.

She has a firefighting classification of FiFi1, and a working endurance of 42 days. Providing accommodation for up to 23 persons, ‘Boka Forward’ is owned by Boskalis of Papendrecht in Holland. She is operated by Boskalis Offshore Long Distance Towage BV, also of Papendrecht, and is managed by Anglo-Eastern Shipmanagement Ltd., of Hong Kong.

The call into Abidjan was due to ‘Boka Forward’, along with her two fleet mate tugs ‘Boka Sherpa’ and ‘Boka Expedition’ being contracted to tow the newly decommissioned floating production, storage, offshore unit (FPSO) ‘Baobab Ivoirien MV10’ from her operating field, the aptly named Baobab field, which lies 14 nautical mile offshore in a water depth of 970 metres.

One of four FPSO units operating in the Ivory Coast offshore oil and gas industry, ‘Baobab Ivoirien MV10’ was commissioned in 2005 by Canadian National Resources International (CNR), to operate in the Baobab field, which was discovered in 2001, and to process 70,000 barrels of oil per day,75 million ft3 of natural gas, and 100,000 barrels of water injection. Lying in Block CI-40, and operated by CNR International (Côte d’Ivoire) SARL, the FPSO can store 2 million barrels of oil, and produces 23% of the daily output within the Ivory Coast.

Originally built in 1976 as the Ultra Large Crude Carrier (ULCC) ‘Tina’ (IMO 7389443), by Kockums shipyard at Malmo in Sweden, she was 363 metres in length, with a beam of 60 metres, and a deadweight tonnage of 357,023 tons. She was owned by the Livanos Group, of Athens in Greece, and operated as a ULCC until 2003, when she was purchased for conversion to a FPSO.

Her conversion into a FPSO included an eight point mooring system, a bow turret comprising three oil riser lines, two gas riser lines, one water injection line, one gas export line, and one umbilical cable control line. She was able to continue operation in a sea state with 4.5 metre high waves, 50 knots of wind, and 4 knots of current. She produced her first oil for CNR International in 2005, and her operating contract was for a 20 year period.

With her 20 year contract approaching its end, the decision was taken to decommission the FPSO, and shut down the Baobab field in February 2025. However, the shutdown was to be only temporary, with the ‘Baobab Ivoirien MV10’ to be towed to the United Arab Emirates, where she would be overhauled by the Dubai Drydocks World shipyard.

Her overhaul will include the renewal of over 1,000 tons of steel, 11,500 metres of new piping, and new tank coating covering an area of 250,000 m2. The life extension overhaul is to last eight months, and on completion ‘Baobab Ivoirien MV10’ will be towed back to the Ivory Coast, to reopen the Baobab field, with a contract to continue her FPSO field work until 2038.

The actual voyage of ‘Boka Forward’ began back on 16th March when the tow of the ‘Baobab Ivoirien MV10’ began from the Ivory Coast. On approaching the Cape Coast in early April, the first of the three tugs, ‘Boka Sherpa’, left the towing group, in order to call into Cape Town for her logistic stop of bunkers, stores, fresh provisions, and any maintenance requirements.

Arriving on 3rd April, she remained alongside for 48 hours, and sailed on 5th April. She returned to the towing group, which released ‘Boka Expedition’ for her logistics stop. She arrived in Cape Town on 8th April for her bunkers, stores and fresh provisions, spending 24 hours alongside, before sailing again on 9th April, as the towing flotilla passed the Cape. Now it was the turn of ‘Boka Forward’ to leave the towing group, and she arrived in Cape Town on 10th April.

However, it seems that all was not well, as on 15th April after over five days alongside, ‘Boka Forward’ sailed from Cape Town at 09:00 in the morning of 15th April, but only as far as the Table Bay anchorage. She remained out at anchor for eight days, and at 10:00 in the morning of 23rd April she, once more, entered Cape Town harbour, but was now placed alongside the Repair Quay, where she remained for two days. On completion of her time at the Repair Quay, she sailed once more, and at 08:00 in the morning of 25th April she left Cape Town, but again only as far as the Table Bay anchorage.

All the while she remained in Cape Town, or out in the Table Bay anchorage, her towing group continued en-route to Port Rashid, in Dubai, without her. After just after eight days on her second stint out in the anchorage, ‘Boka Forward’ once more entered Cape Town harbour, and for a second time, at 09:00 in the morning of 3rd May, she went alongside the Eastern Mole.

She remained there for over five more days, and at 16:00 in the late afternoon of 8th May, she finally sailed from Cape Town, now with a destination. Her AIS showed that she was not going to be chasing her long gone towing group, but rather, she was now heading for Nacala, in Mozambique. For those casual maritime observers who keep track of events around Southern Africa, there appeared to a great deal of sense in dispatching a salvage tug to Nacala.

Back on March 29th, the geared Kamsarmax bulk carrier ‘Altzek’ (IMO9621417) arrived in the Nacala anchorage, from Tuticorin in India. She arrived to load a cargo of coal, destined for discharge in Poland. By 13th April, loading at the Nacala-a-Vela coal terminal was complete and, at 14:00 in the afternoon, she sailed for a bunker stop at Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands.

Shortly after sailing, a major fire erupted in the engine room of ‘Altzek’. The fire was extinguished by her engine room crew, and she had to go to anchor in the Nacala anchorage. Four of her engine room crew were seriously injured enough in the explosion, and subsequent fire, to have to be transferred ashore to be treated in a Nacala Hospital. They were all discharged later, and transferred home.

See our report of this incident in Africa Ports & Ships HERE

The ‘Altzek’ has only recently been purchased by her owners, Green Seeds General Trading Co., of Salalah in Oman, and she was managed by Garland Shipping Services LLC, of Dubai in the UAE. She was built in 2012 by New Century Shipbuilding at Jingjiang in China. As a Kamsarmax she is 229 metres in length, with a deadweight tonnage of 81,177 tons. She has seven holds, which are serviced by four tons, each with a lifting capacity of 35 tons.

Her owners, and insurers, had to await a survey team to arrive in Nacala, to determine if her engine room fire damage could be fixed locally, which would allow her to sail, or if this was not possible, what would be the outcome for ‘Altzek’. It would seem that the sailing of ‘Boka Forward’ from Cape Town, and bound for Nacala, pointed in a certain direction linking her to what had been decided for ‘Altzek’.

Arriving at Nacala on 17th May, at 08:00 in the morning, ‘Boka Forward’ appears to have been contracted to tow ‘Altzek’ from Nacala to a place where she can be repaired. By 18:00 in the early evening of 17th May, ‘Altzek’ AIS changed from being at anchor in Nacala, to being underway with her destination being displayed as Saldanha Bay in South Africa. The plot further thickened when ‘Boka Forward’ also showed an AIS change to a new destination, also that of Saldanha Bay.

Whilst nothing official is ‘out there’ regarding the decision taken regarding ‘Altzek’ and her future, nor have Boskalis indicated that ‘Boka Forward’ has been chartered to undertake a tow of ‘Altzek’ to a place of repair, it does seem odd that she was despatched to Nacala, and less than 12 hour after arrival, that she had sailed once again, now bound back to the Western Cape, at the same time that ‘Altzek’ started indicating the same AIS information. If true, the maritime news jungle drums will begin soon enough, and time will tell if the coincidence is indeed linked.

Added 18 May 2025

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Cadet Training Programme Opportunity

Africa Ports & Ships

AMSOL’s SAMSA-accredited Cadet Training Programme offers an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience across AMSOL’s diverse fleet.

This Cadetship is designed to equip the next generation of maritime professionals and support a sustainable talent pipeline for the industry.

Applications are now open – don’t miss your chance to join a dynamic company! To apply click on the following link HERE

Added 11 May 2025

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Survitec expands Fujairah operations to meet rising Middle East demand

Africa Ports & Ships

The expansion adds 1,350 square metres of new capacity, transforming the facility into a full-service station that integrates liferaft servicing alongside existing lifeboat inspection and marine fire safety operations.

The move aims to provide shipowners and operators with faster turnaround times, improved compliance, and a streamlined safety servicing solution.

“This is a targeted investment in regional capacity and capability,” said Beibei Qiu, Survitec’s Executive Managing Director for APAC & MEA.

“By broadening our Fujairah operations, we are responding directly to the increasing demand for marine safety services across the Middle East.”

Strategically positioned near the Strait of Hormuz, the expanded facility strengthens Survitec’s ability to serve key shipping routes in the Gulf of Oman and beyond.

The company has also invested in additional skilled technicians and secured full regulatory approval from UAE authorities, reinforcing its commitment to operational excellence.

Survitec CEO Robert Kledal, alongside Fujairah Free Zone Director General Sharief Al Awardi, officially inaugurated the facility, marking a significant milestone in the company’s broader regional growth strategy.

“With this expansion, we are reinforcing Survitec’s global mission: We Exist to Protect Lives,” Kledal said.

Added 18 May 2025

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South Africa clarifies trade status on Tanzanian banana imports

No Ban in Place as Phytosanitary Process Proceeds

The South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has clarified that no ban exists on banana imports from Tanzania, following recent speculation and media reports suggesting otherwise.

The reports had hinted at a possible retaliatory ban on South African agricultural imports by Tanzanian authorities—allegedly in response to claims that South Africa blocks banana imports from Tanzania.

In an official statement issued this week, the Department stressed that the two countries continue to maintain strong, cooperative ties in agricultural trade, and reaffirmed that South Africa has never imposed a ban on Tanzanian bananas.

The department explained that the National Plant Protection Organisation of South Africa (NPPOZA)—which manages the phytosanitary safety of imported agricultural products—has been actively working with its Tanzanian counterpart to facilitate bilateral market access. This includes ongoing negotiations to enable safe banana trade between the two countries.

Notably, Tanzanian avocados have successfully been exported to South Africa for the past four years, benefiting local consumers by filling seasonal supply gaps. The department confirmed that in February 2025, Tanzania submitted a formal market access request to export bananas to South Africa. This triggered a mandatory Pest Risk Analysis (PRA), which is currently underway.

The PRA process is essential to ensure that imported bananas do not pose biosecurity threats—such as the notorious Fusarium wilt TR4, a devastating global banana disease. Once the scientific assessment is completed, South Africa will draft phytosanitary import conditions and engage Tanzanian authorities for mutual agreement.

Only after both countries approve the terms will the importation of Tanzanian bananas be permitted.

The Department further underlined that, in accordance with WTO and International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standards, all decisions involving bans or changes in import status are communicated through formal, official channels.

This clarification provides assurance to stakeholders in the shipping, logistics, and agricultural trade sectors that there is no restriction in place, and that due process is being followed to open new fruit trade channels in line with global standards.

Added 18 May 2025

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SA Port Statistics for March 2025

The statistics here reflect port cargo throughputs, ships berthed and auto and container volumes handled together with liquid and dry bulk volumes.

Motor vehicles are measured in vehicle units being the equal of 1 tonne per unit.

Containers are counted in TEUs, with each TEU representing 13.5 tonnes.

(TEUs include Deepsea, Coastal, Transship and empty containers all subject to being invoiced by NPA

— source TNPA, with adjustments regarding container weights by Africa Ports & Ships

Added 17 May 2025

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Folk Maritime expands fleet further with three Saudi-flagged vessels to strengthen regional trade links

Africa Ports & Ships

Folk Maritime Services Company, a key player in regional liner and feeder services and backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced on Thursday (15 May) the addition of three new container vessels to its growing fleet, marking another strategic step in the Kingdom’s drive to become a global logistics hub under Vision 2030.

The three newly acquired vessels — M/V Folk Dammam (1,868 TEU), M/V Folk Yanbu (702 TEU), and M/V Folk Jubail (1,118 TEU) — have all been registered under the Saudi flag at Jeddah Islamic Port.

Their deployment across the Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, Indian subcontinent, and regional trade corridors is expected to commence in the coming weeks.

With these additions, Folk Maritime’s operational fleet rises to eight vessels — five owned and three chartered — highlighting the company’s focus on expanding fleet capacity and reducing reliance on chartered tonnage.

“The addition of Folk Dammam, Folk Yanbu, and Folk Jubail strengthens our ability to deliver efficient and reliable shipping solutions,” said Poul Hestbaek, CEO of Folk Maritime.

“This expansion not only reflects our fleet growth strategy but underscores our commitment to Saudi-flagged assets and to building a competitive, self-sufficient logistics sector in line with Vision 2030.”

The latest acquisitions follow the earlier launches of M/V Folk Jeddah (1,868 TEU) in September 2024 and M/V Folk Jazan (2,015 TEU) in April 2025, indicating a steady build-up of national shipping capability.

Founded in 2023, Folk Maritime Services Company has quickly positioned itself as a catalyst for trade across the Middle East, East Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.

By focusing on regional connectivity, the company plays a critical role in linking secondary ports with major transshipment hubs and offering cost-effective end-to-end logistics solutions.

Operating neutral feeder services alongside its liner operations, Folk Maritime enables cargo owners and shipping lines to benefit from seamless integration across a wide network, directly supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to lead in multiple high-growth logistics and industrial sectors.

As part of its long-term vision, Folk Maritime is helping transform the Kingdom’s maritime sector into a competitive force—further strengthening the Red Sea’s role as a major artery in global trade.

Added 15 May 2025

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Hapag-Lloyd posts strong Q1 results amid ongoing global challenges

Africa Ports & Ships

German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd has reported a robust start to 2025, posting solid gains in revenue and profit despite persistent geopolitical headwinds and market volatility.

The company recorded a Group EBITDA of USD 1.1 billion (EUR 1.0 billion) for the first quarter, while Group EBIT rose to USD 487 million (EUR 463 million). Net profit jumped 45% year-on-year, reaching USD 469 million (EUR 446 million).

The company’s Liner Shipping segment drove much of the growth, as revenues surged to USD 5.2 billion (EUR 5.0 billion). A 9% year-on-year increase in both transport volume (3.3 million TEU) and average freight rate (USD 1,480 per TEU) reflected a rebound in global demand. Segment EBITDA climbed 18% to USD 1.1 billion, while EBIT grew by 25% to USD 472 million (EUR 448 million).

Performance was also positive in the Terminal & Infrastructure segment, which delivered an EBITDA of USD 36 million (EUR 34 million) and an EBIT of USD 15 million (EUR 14 million).

A key strategic move during the quarter was the acquisition of a majority stake in the CNMP LH Terminal in Le Havre, France — strengthening Hapag-Lloyd’s presence in the European port landscape.

“With this quarterly result, we have gotten 2025 off to a good start,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd AG.

“In Gemini Cooperation [with Maersk], we have achieved the targeted high schedule reliability, which has clearly set us apart from competitors. We’ve also made good progress with Hanseatic Global Terminals and are expanding our strategic footprint, particularly in France.”

However, Jansen acknowledged significant external pressures, noting that “the situation in the Red Sea and the impact of global tariffs and trade policies continue to be causes for concern for the entire logistics industry and bring with them considerable uncertainty.”

Looking ahead, Hapag-Lloyd’s Executive Board maintains its forecast for full-year Group EBITDA in the range of USD 2.5 to 4.0 billion, with EBIT expected between USD 0.0 and 1.5 billion.

The company remains committed to its ‘Strategy 2030’ roadmap, with a renewed focus on cost efficiency and a target of over USD 1 billion in savings within the next 18 months.

Despite the turbulent global environment, Hapag-Lloyd’s strong Q1 performance positions it well to navigate the months ahead, while it continues investing in network resilience and terminal infrastructure.

The financial report for the first quarter of 2025 is available HERE

Added 15 May 2025

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Suez Canal Authority offers 15% transit fee discount amid improved Red Sea security

Africa Ports & Ships

In a strategic move to restore confidence and traffic through the Suez Canal, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has announced a 15% discount on transit fees for container ships with a net tonnage of 130,000 metric tons or more.

This incentive is valid for a period of 90 days commencing 15 May 2025 and aims to encourage shipping lines to return to the canal following recent improvements in Red Sea security.

The decision has been taken alongside a significant decline in canal traffic and revenue, considered to be a result of security concerns stemming from attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

A week ago the SCA engaged with representatives from 25 major shipping lines and maritime agencies to discuss the impact of these developments and the potential for resuming navigation through the canal.

Admiral Osama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the SCA, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea region. He highlighted the recent positive developments in the security situation, including a ceasefire in Yemen involving the United States, as key factors in reducing maritime safety concerns.

“We call upon all shipping lines to give serious consideration to assessing their navigation schedules and examine the possibility of the gradual return of a number of their vessels to the region,” said Admiral Rabiee.

The SCA has also expressed readiness to provide comprehensive navigational and maritime services to meet the needs of all transiting vessels under normal and emergency situations.

These services include ship maintenance and repair, maritime salvage, water ambulance, crew change, and the safe collection and disposal of solid waste, aligning with the Authority’s green transformation approach.

Industry leaders have responded positively to the SCA’s initiatives. Representatives from Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, and HMM acknowledged the canal’s strategic value and noted that bypassing it via the Cape of Good Hope has increased costs and operational risks.

Several agency heads recommended temporary toll incentives and insurance fee negotiations to support a faster return to normal transit patterns.

The SCA’s efforts come in the wake of a sharp decline in revenue, with earnings dropping from $2.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $880.9 million in the same period of 2024.

The Authority aims to reverse this trend by restoring confidence among shipping lines and ensuring the canal remains a vital link in global trade.

For more information on the Suez Canal Authority’s initiatives and services, please visit their official website here

Added 14 May 2025

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WHARF TALK: roll-on/roll-off vessel – CHAUMINE

Pictures by ‘Dockrat’ 
Story by Jay Gates

For the casual maritime observer in South Africa, the gift that keeps on giving is, without doubt, the Houthis. This is despite this ragtag outfit not having launched a single attack on any shipping at any point this year thus far, and also despite President Trump making a random announcement to the world that the Houthis have unilaterally decided to stop all attacks on shipping making their way through the southern Red Sea, to or from the Suez Canal.

Yet because there is still a reluctance to believe either of the protagonists, and despite this atmosphere of regional quiet, the trust in the maritime world of the owners, operators, charterers, and insurers is such that they are still very much reluctant to allow the vast majority of high value shipping to pass through the Red Sea, and the Cape sea route continues to reign supreme. The boon for the casual maritime observer are the rare, niche market newbuilds, all making their way back from the shipyard to begin their commercial life in European waters.

On 29th April, at 10:00 in the morning, the roll-on/roll-off vessel ‘Chaumine’ (IMO 9963566) arrived off Cape Town, from Singapore. She entered Cape Town harbour, proceeded into the Duncan Dock, and went alongside the Landing Wall. The arrival of such a vessel, and to such a berth, indicated that she may have more than the usual logistics reason of a simple bunkers uplift for calling into Cape Town.

Despite Durban, Port Elizabeth, and East London, receiving regular visits by commercial Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTC), in order to bring in, and take out, motor vehicles, what South African ports never usually see are what are termed Short Sea Ro-Ro traffic. This is because there simply is no inter-connected supply economy in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa that could maintain such a market. Europe, on the other hand, is completely the opposite in terms of Short Sea Ro-Ro commercial traffic. Such is the size of this requirement, and one that is still growing, that newbuilds are now regularly passing through to bolster the European markets.

Launched in 2024 by Hyundai Mipo shipyard at Ulsan in South Korea, and on her maiden positioning voyage home, ‘Chaumine’ is 234 metres in length, with a beam of 38 metres, and has a gross registered tonnage of 77,678 tons. Her dimensions make her the world’s largest Short Sea Ro-Ro vessel, slightly larger than the new Grimaldi Eco class, one of which also recently passed through Durban, also on her maiden positioning voyage home.

She is a hybrid diesel-electric vessel with propulsion power being produced by two MAN-B&W 6S60ME-C six cylinder, two stroke, Tier III main engines producing 6,500 kW each. Power is transferred to two electric motors, each producing 6,000 kW each to drive two Kawasaki controllable pitch propellers, connected to twin rudders, to give ‘Chaumine’ a service speed of 16 knots.

Her Eco credentials include having Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), for Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) reduction. She also has an Exhaust Gas Recirculation System, which prevents Methane emissions. Overall, she provides a 40% reduction in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions, compared to the largest of her fleetmate vessels. She is fitted to allow her to plug in, when alongside for shore power, which removes 100% of her emissions whilst in port.

Her hybrid auxiliary machinery includes a battery pack providing 2.72 MWh, and two Hyundai Himsen 9H25/33 generators providing 2,656 kW each. She has a single Hyundai Infracore AD180 TIS emergency generator providing 441 kW. She has two Alfa Laval Aalborg EXV exhaust gas boilers, and a single Alfa Laval Aalborg TFO oil fired boiler. For added manoeuvrability she has a single bow Kawasaki KT-255 transverse thruster providing 2,850 kW, and a single stern Kawasaki KT-255 transverse thruster providing 2,850 kW.

She has eight vehicle cargo decks, three of which are hoistable, which provides ‘Chaumine’ with 8,000 lane metres. She is capable of accepting a broad range of Ro-Ro traffic from heavy goods vehicles (HGV), unaccompanied road trailers, rolltainer loaded containers, factory new vehicles, and project freight. Her nominal design allows her to carry up to 510 HGV, and up to 920 cars, simultaneously. For her HGV cargo she has cabin accommodation provided for 12 drivers.

The first of two sisterships, known as the G9 class, ‘Chaumine’ is owned by Compagnie Luxembourgeoise de Navigation (CLdN), of Luxembourg. She is operated by Cobelfret NV, or Antwerp in Belgium, whose houseflag she displays on her funnel, and she is managed by Angle-Eastern Shipmanagement (NL) BV, of Goes in Holland. She will be operated on the Cobelfret company routes from the United Kingdom, to ports in Northwest Europe.

To give the casual maritime observer an idea of the size of the Short Sea Ro-Ro traffic total that happens on a continuous basis, just from United Kingdom ports, to ports in Europe, and which do not include services, or routes, that operate solely on domestic routes within UK waters, and do not include traditional passenger ferry routes from the UK to Europe, there are currently a total of 239 Ro-Ro sailings every single week, covering 45 routes, which averages 34 per day.

In terms of Cobelfret traffic, they are the largest Short Sea Ro-Ro operator from the UK, operating solely commercial HGV traffic, and short sea vehicle exports. They operate from five ports in the UK, with three servicing the North Sea, namely Purfleet (River Thames) as their major base, Killingholme (River Humber), and Teesport (River Tees), with two ports servicing the Irish Sea, namely Liverpool (River Mersey), and Heysham (River Lune).

Together the Cobelfret fleet operates 23 routes from these five UK ports, to nine European ports, with a total of 105 weekly sailings, which averages 15 per day. The European ports served are Zeebrugge (Belgium), Rotterdam (Holland), Esbjerg (Denmark), Gothenburg (Sweden), Santander (Spain), Leixoes (Portugal), Dublin, Cork and Warrenpoint (all Ireland).

Having been handed over to her owners, by the Hyundai Mipo shipyard on 20th March, ‘Chaumine’ sailed the next day, 21st March, bound for Yantai in China. On arrival at Yantai she loaded a full cargo of cars and trucks for delivery to the UK, before sailing on to Singapore solely for a bunker call, before proceeding on to Cape Town.

Her time in Cape Town, was not expected to be long, and after uplifting her bunkers from the Cape Town bunker tanker ‘Southern Valour’, completing her stores uplift, and loading fresh provisions, ‘Chaumine’ was ready to continue with her maiden voyage home. After just thirteen hours alongside, she sailed from Cape Town at 01:00 in the early morning of 30th April, with her AIS now showing that she was bound for Purfleet.

Purfleet, which is located on the northern bank of the River Thames, within the County of Essex, is the prime operating port for Cobelfret. To show how busy a freight Ro-Ro port it is for Cobelfret, services from Purfleet are to Zeebrugge (11 per week), Rotterdam (6 per week), Gothenburg (4 per week), Esbjerg (2 per week), Santander (2 per week), Leixoes (2 per week), Dublin (4 per week), and Cork (2 per week).

That is a total of 33 sailings per week, averaging almost 5 sailings per day, and from just two linkspan Ro-Ro river berths. On arrival in Purfleet, which is expected to be 13:00 in the early afternoon of 16th May, ‘Chaumine’ will immediately begin her long commercial Ro-Ro career, serving the UK and the near continent of NW Europe.

Added 14 May 2025

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The Sea was Sold: Senegal’s fisheries crisis fuels deadly migration surge, warns EJF Report

Africa Ports & Ships

A new investigation by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has cast a harsh spotlight on the growing crisis engulfing Senegal’s fisheries — a crisis that is not only devastating local livelihoods but also driving a deadly surge in forced migration towards Europe.

The report, accompanied by a hard-hitting documentary, reveals how overfishing and rampant illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing are crippling Senegal’s coastal communities.

These pressures, largely from foreign industrial fleets, are rapidly eroding the nation’s small-scale fishing sector — an economic and cultural cornerstone that employs around 3% of the population and supplies nearly 8% of Senegal’s dietary protein.

The EJF’s research, drawn from field investigations and interviews in Senegal and the Canary Islands, underscores the environmental and socio-economic toll of aggressive foreign fishing.

European and Chinese industrial vessels — often operating under opaque joint ventures — are accused of using destructive methods such as bottom trawling and severely overexploiting Senegal’s fish stocks.

Much of their catch is shipped abroad, particularly to the EU and China, bypassing the needs of local communities.

For artisanal fishers already under pressure, these foreign fleets represent a tipping point. “This critical sector, which forms the socio-economic backbone of Senegal’s coastal communities, is in crisis,” said Steve Trent, EJF CEO.

“Small-scale fishers face overwhelming competition, leading to deteriorating living conditions, diminished food security, and lost livelihoods,” he said.

As traditional fishing jobs vanish, migration has become a desperate alternative. In 2023 alone, over 3,000 people died attempting the treacherous sea crossing to Europe — making it the world’s deadliest migration route.

EJF’s film follows one young Senegalese fisherman’s journey to the Canary Islands, leaving behind his father and community. “Some people had the same dream and purpose as me, but they never arrived,” he reflects.

The numbers tell a stark story: irregular migrant arrivals in Spain soared to nearly 64,000 in 2024 — more than double 2022’s figure. The Canary Islands bore the brunt, with a staggering 200% increase in migrant arrivals over the same period.

Many in Senegal see a bitter irony in the migration backlash from wealthier nations. Karim Sall, President of the local marine protection group AGIRE, bluntly criticised foreign powers for their role in creating the crisis:

“They come here to steal our fish. It’s theft — plundering our resources to feed their own inhabitants while we suffer.”

The EJF’s report doesn’t just document the crisis — it offers a roadmap for recovery. It calls on the Senegalese government, the European Union, and international fishing operators to implement sweeping reforms, including greater transparency, tighter regulations, and a renewed focus on protecting the interests of small-scale fishers.

Without these changes, the report warns, the situation will only worsen — both for Senegal’s coastal communities and for those who continue to risk their lives at sea in search of a future.

To learn more about Abdou’s journey from Senegal to the Canary Islands, watch EJF’s new film here.

Added 14 May 2025

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Nigeria ends foreign shipping waivers to boost local maritime industry

Africa Ports & Ships

Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced a decisive end to the longstanding practice of granting waivers to foreign shipping firms operating in the country’s coastal waters.

The move aims to reinforce the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act of 2003, which mandates that domestic shipping activities be reserved for Nigerian-owned, -crewed, -built, or -flagged vessels.

The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Abuja with representatives from NNPC Shipping, Swedish tanker giant Stena Bulk, and Caverton Offshore Support Group.

The three companies are launching a new joint venture, Unity Shipping World (USW), to operate a fleet capable of transporting crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG across Nigeria, West Africa, and beyond.

“For too long, reliance on foreign waivers has stunted the growth of local capacity,” Oyetola said. “We’re ending this trend to give Nigerian operators a fair chance and to create jobs in the maritime sector.”

The minister criticised the “indiscriminate” use of waivers as a barrier to the development of a competitive indigenous fleet and seafaring workforce.

He confirmed that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has been directed to begin disbursing the long-awaited Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) — a critical step in enabling local shipowners to acquire and upgrade vessels.

“As the waiver era ends, supporting indigenous shipowners becomes even more crucial,” he added.

Unity Shipping World, the newly unveiled joint venture, is expected to play a central role in the industry’s transition. Caverton Offshore CEO Bode Makanjuola described the venture as “transformative,” promising modern, efficient vessels and a strong focus on sustainability and seafarer training.

NNPC Shipping’s Managing Director, Panos Gliatis, and Stena Bulk CEO Erik Hånell also voiced strong support, calling the partnership a model of combining local leadership with international expertise to advance Nigeria’s shipping and energy goals.

The end of foreign shipping waivers represents a major policy shift that could reshape Nigeria’s maritime sector — one that aligns with broader national objectives of industrialisation, job creation, and greater control over its vital shipping corridors.

Added 13 May 2025

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Wärtsilä unveils carbon capture breakthrough for shipping industry

Africa Ports & Ships

Wärtsilä has officially launched its groundbreaking carbon capture solution (CCS) for the maritime sector, following the successful full-scale installation aboard the ethylene carrier Clipper Eris.

The system, now commercially available, promises to reduce shipboard CO₂ emissions by up to 70%, marking a significant leap forward in shipping’s drive toward decarbonisation.

“This is a game-changer for the maritime industry,” said Håkan Agnevall, Wärtsilä’s President and CEO.

“With the pressure mounting from international climate goals, CCS offers shipowners a powerful tool to cut emissions and protect their assets from becoming obsolete.”

The announcement follows Wärtsilä’s world-first deployment of the technology on Solvang ASA’s Clipper Eris, a 21,000m³ ethylene carrier.

Since departing Singapore in February 2025, the vessel has been operating with Wärtsilä’s comprehensive CCS unit, which captures carbon from all exhaust gas sources onboard. The success of this installation has paved the way for Wärtsilä’s commercial rollout.

The Clipper Eris was an ideal testbed, already equipped with Wärtsilä scrubbers and other emissions-reducing technologies. For Solvang, the move is part of a wider effort to ensure newbuilds are CCS-ready – including provision for high-sulphur fuel oil (HFO) operations, space reservations, and system integration.

“CCS is one of the more promising technologies for meaningful sustainability at sea,” said Edvin Endresen, CEO of Solvang ASA. “We’ve long supported innovation in emissions control, and Wärtsilä’s solution aligns with our goals for a cleaner, more efficient fleet.”

Wärtsilä has been developing CCS since 2019, operating a test facility in Moss, Norway, where it captures 10 tonnes of CO₂ daily from a marine engine.

The real-world results from Clipper Eris have validated the technology’s performance and economics: the company estimates a capture cost of €50–€70 per tonne of CO₂ ($54–$76), inclusive of capital and operational expenses.

The CCS technology is modular and scalable, available for both retrofits and newbuilds. It can be configured to work with various carbon-based fuels – from HFO and MGO to LNG and methanol – and integrates with other emission control systems like SOx scrubbers, NOx reduction units, and particulate filters.

“Our long-standing expertise in exhaust cleaning gives us a strong foundation to take carbon capture to sea,” said Agnevall. “We’re proud to collaborate with forward-thinking companies like Solvang to make a real impact on maritime emissions.”

As the shipping industry races to meet the International Maritime Organization’s 2050 decarbonisation targets, Wärtsilä’s CCS rollout offers a viable and immediate pathway to compliance – and a cleaner ocean future.

Added 13 May 2025

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AD Ports Group to develop $120 million industrial and logistics zone at Egypt’s East Port Said

Africa Ports & Ships

AD Ports Group and Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) have signed a landmark 50-year renewable agreement to develop and operate a major industrial and logistics hub near East Port Said, strengthening trade and infrastructure ties between the UAE and Egypt.

The deal, signed in Cairo and witnessed by top officials from both countries, will see the creation of KEZAD East Port Said Industrial and Logistics Zone, a 20 km² development located at the Mediterranean entrance to the Suez Canal — one of the world’s most strategic maritime trade routes.

The project will be rolled out in phases, with construction on the initial 2.8 km² Phase 1 expected to begin by the end of this year. AD Ports Group has earmarked $120 million for phase 1 development and technical studies over the next three years. The zone is expected to support manufacturing, logistics, and trade activities and act as a gateway for East-West trade.

“This is a strategic milestone that builds on the strong economic ties between the UAE and Egypt,” said Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group.

“It reflects our growing focus on Egypt, where we are enhancing our integrated trade, transport, and industrial ecosystem.”

Egyptian officials see the project as a vital step in transforming SCZONE into a global trade and logistics hub. Waleid Gamal El-Dien, Chairman of SCZONE, described the zone as a key part of Egypt’s strategy to attract investment and strengthen global supply chains.

“The KEZAD East Port Said zone benefits from deep berths, modern infrastructure, and a prime location connecting three continents,” said El-Dien. “It will add to the competitiveness of our integrated model of seaports and industrial areas.”

AD Ports Group will work with local and regional partners, including Hassan Allam Holding, one of Egypt’s leading construction and development firms, which has signed a memorandum of understanding to invest in and co-develop the new industrial zone.

The announcement builds on AD Ports Group’s recent expansion in Egypt. Since 2022, the Abu Dhabi-based company has acquired stakes in Transmar, TCI, and Safina B.V., while also securing long-term concessions at Red Sea ports including Safaga, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh.

A separate $200 million terminal at Safaga is currently underway, with Hassan Allam Construction as the main contractor.

Ahmed Al Mutawa, Regional CEO of AD Ports Group, said the East Port Said development will drive job creation, skill development, and export growth, while enhancing Egypt’s role in regional manufacturing and trade.

The East Port Said zone is part of SCZONE’s broader strategy, which includes four industrial zones and six seaports spanning 455 km². Since 2021, SCZONE has attracted 274 projects valued at $8.3 billion, positioning itself as a preferred investment destination in Africa and the Middle East.

For the shipping and logistics sector, this development signals growing investor confidence in Egypt’s maritime corridors, with the Suez Canal poised to play an even greater role in global supply chain resilience and east-west trade.

Added 13 May 2025