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The global shipping industry continues to grow, with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) leading the charge and introducing new vessels to its fleet to enhance trade efficiency and capacity. One such recent addition is the MSC Olbia (IMO 9987299), a state-of-the-art LNG-dual powered container ship that has been making waves across international shipping lanes. With a robust design and impressive technical specifications, MSC Olbia is well-equipped to handle the demands of modern maritime logistics.   Read more…

South Africa has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the economic impact of new United States tariffs, focusing on export diversification, value-added production, and strengthening regional trade partnerships. This is after United States President, Donald Trump, announced global reciprocal tariffs on most imported goods, with South Africa facing a 31% tariff increase. “The new tariff regime arising from the decision by the United States of America, which have been directed not only to South Africa, but the entire world, necessitates strategic responses to maintain and grow our industrial base, as a crucial avenue to pursue inclusive growth,” the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said on Friday.  Read more…

The big Asian carriers, especially those in South Korea, Japan and China, enjoy dipping their toes into virtually every trade that crisscrosses the globe, so having the likes of Hyundai, NYK, and COSCO running various fleets such as container vessels, as well as pure car carriers, is something that the casual maritime observer has got used to seeing. What the same observer has probably not seen is having a big European container vessel operator dipping their toes into the pure car carrier market, and entering the trade against the established operators.   Read more…

In a significant move towards greener shipping, German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd has announced plans to retrofit five of its 10,100 TEU container vessels to run on methanol. The initiative, undertaken in partnership with Seaspan Corporation and MAN Energy Solutions, marks a crucial step in the company’s long-term decarbonization strategy. The decision follows a successful test of a retrofitted MAN S90 engine conducted by MAN Energy Solutions and Hitachi Zosen Marine Engine in Japan. This breakthrough has demonstrated that large container ships can effectively transition from traditional fossil fuels to methanol, a more sustainable alternative that significantly reduces carbon emissions.   Read more…

Reciprocal tariffs announced by Donald Trump on ‘Liberation Day’ could prevent shippers from making important decisions on supply chains, but are not likely to cause an immediate spike in freight rates. “Liberation Day will not feel very liberating for those shippers caught in the eye of the tariff storm,” said Peter Sand, Chief Analyst at Xeneta – the ocean and air freight intelligence platform. “It is tough to make important decisions on your supply chain when the rules of the game keep changing.”   Read more…

CK Hutchison makes about turn on Panama port sales
MSC Musica leaves South Africa’s shores
Nacala port and logistics back on track
MSC subsidiary to acquire US company COFC Logistics
US escalates US reaction to Houthi action in Red Sea
Read more…

Rachid Houari has been appointed to lead ferry operations in the Strait of Gibraltar as the new Directeur Général (Managing Director) for African Morocco Link (AML).  Houari has done his Bsc in shipping operations in Southampton, his MBA at ENPC Paris, and has more than 25 years of maritime experience in ferry, RoRo, and port operations in the shipping sector between Morocco and Spain.  Most recently, he held the position of Managing Director for three logistics zones companies within the Tangier Med Group, where he previously also had responsibilities for both port and ferry operations.

A new video from the IMO delves into the innovative technologies and transformative approaches shaping the future of sustainable shipping, driven by the ambitious 2023 IMO GHG Strategy. In the words of IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez: ‘Bold actions are required to reduce GHG emissions and combat climate change. We know that shipping can definitely drive a green and digital transformation.’ IMO Member States have committed in the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy to reach net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.  Read more…

Indian capital New Delhi earlier in March hosted the fourth maritime security dialogue between the sub-continental powerhouse and the European Union (EU). On the agenda were, among others, developments in the maritime security situation in both Europe and the Indian Ocean. Avenues of co-operation in areas such as countering illicit maritime activities, protection of critical maritime infrastructure, capacity building for partners, maritime domain awareness and, what an EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy statement said were, “activities within regional maritime security forums”.   Read more…

Thankfully not every unusual looking, or strangely designed, vessel that calls into a South African port in these dangerous times is popping in for logistical purposes as a result of owners, insurers, or charterers, deciding that running the gauntlet of the southern Red Sea and the indiscriminate attacks of the Houthi idiocy is something to be avoided. Other than the well-known scheduled callers, many of these one-off visitors are genuinely on a voyage that requires a transit of the Cape sea route, and has no requirement for going via the Suez Canal.  On 28th March, at 10:00 in the morning, the specialist heavylift vessel ‘Brouwersgracht’ (IMO 9896270) arrived off Cape Town, from Singapore. Read more…

The first-ever World Day for Glaciers, dedicated to raising awareness about the crucial role glaciers play in sustaining life on Earth, was commemorated on 21 March. Glaciers act as essential reservoirs of freshwater, providing water to millions of people, and support biodiversity around the world. However, rising global temperatures are causing glaciers to retreat, the consequences of which include water scarcity, rising sea levels, and increased frequency of disasters such as floods or landslides. Dawson-Lambton Glacier.   Read more…

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has raised alarm over potential disruptions to global supply chains following the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Section 301 Investigation into China’s maritime logistics and shipbuilding. Speaking at a public hearing in Washington, D.C., ICS Secretary General Guy Platten cautioned that proposed tariffs on Chinese-built and Chinese-operated vessels could backfire, harming U.S. industries, raising costs for consumers, and weakening America’s global trade competitiveness. The two-day hearing, held on 24 and 26 March 2025, featured testimonies from over 60 industry representatives.   Read more…

The seizure of over six tons of cocaine from a fishing vessel in international waters off the Gulf of Guinea earlier in March was hailed “a significant operation” by the Prefecture Maritime Atlantique of the European Commission (EU). The Portuguese capital Lisbon is home to the European Commission (EU) Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics) MAOC (N) which reported the operation as involving the French Navy (Marine Nationale) which has “a nearly permanent presence” in the Gulf of Guinea.   Read more…

Ocean Network Express (ONE) has again provided free transportation, this time of 11,500 books directly supporting the vital work of the South African Primary Education Support Initiative (SAPESI). The books were collected by Sony Group of Companies in Singapore, with the strong support from schools, employees as well as communities through donation points at Sony stores. In collaboration with Sony Electronics (Singapore), ONE ensured the safe and efficient delivery of these valuable resources to SAPESI.   Read more…

The City of Cape Town is set to begin a major two-year dredging project in Zeekoevlei this May, aiming to remove 364,000 cubic metres of toxic sediment and improve water quality. The lake, part of the False Bay Nature Reserve, has suffered from pollution, algal blooms, and declining biodiversity, prompting urgent conservation action. A floating suction dredger will extract sediment from Storm Bay and Home Bay, with dewatering ponds and pipelines managing waste disposal. While the last dredging in 1983 failed to prevent decline, this effort, supported by advanced monitoring, promises long-term ecological benefits.

The Port of Walvis Bay, Namibia’s primary commercial harbour, has undergone significant dredging and expansion projects over the past decade to enhance its capacity and operational efficiency. In 2010, Boskalis International was contracted to deepen the port’s entrance channel, allowing larger vessels to access the harbour. The project involved dredging approximately 1.8 million cubic metres of material over four months, achieving design depths between 14.0 to 14.4 metres below chart datum. This endeavour facilitated increased cargo throughput and positioned Walvis Bay as a more competitive port in the region. Subsequently, from 2014 to 2019, a major expansion project was undertaken to further bolster the port’s capabilities.   Read more…

Ships transport around 80% of the world’s cargo. From your food, to your car to your phone, chances are it got to you by sea. The vast majority of the world’s container ships burn fossil fuels, which is why 3% of global emissions come from shipping – slightly more than the 2.5% of emissions from aviation. The race is on to reduce these emissions, and quickly, to meet the Paris agreement targets. In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we find out what technologies are available to shipping companies to reduce their carbon emissions – from sails, to alternative fuels or simply taking a better route.   Read more…

Six tourists have died and another 39 were rescued when an Egyptian tourist submarine belonging to Sinbad Submarines, sank in the Red Sea near the resort city of Hurghada. As far as is known all those on board other than the crew were Russian holidaymakers. A number of the passengers were children, some of whom were among the 21 persons who were hospitalised after their ordeal. The accident happened at 10:00 local time on Thursday, 27 March as the submarine, which is certified to operate safely to a depth of 75 metres, cruised about a kilometre offshore over a coral reef.  Read more…

Transnet SOC Limited has successfully negotiated a three-year wage agreement with the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (SATAWU), while discussions with another prominent union, the United National Transport Union (UNTU), have not yet reached a consensus. The agreement, which will take effect on 1 April 2025, includes a structured wage increase: 6% for the first year, 6% for the second year, and 5.5% for the third year. This offer, amounting to a total wage increment of 17.5% over the three years, encompasses increases to basic salaries, the 13th cheque, pension fund contributions, medical aid subsidies, and housing allowances.  Read more…

On 25 March 2025, the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) announced the release of its updated guidelines for the Purchasing and Testing of Single Point Mooring (SPM) Hawsers—an essential tool for the safe mooring of tankers during oil loading and discharging operations from offshore facilities.  Single Point Mooring systems, which include connections to Floating Production Storage Offloading Facilities (FPSOs), Floating Storage and Offloading Units (FSOs), and offloading buoys, play a critical role in the marine oil transportation industry.  Read more…

Nigeria’s maritime sector received a significant boost this week as the United States Coast Guard (USCG) praised the country and its maritime authority, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), for making “considerable progress” in implementing the International Ships and Ports Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The accolade came after a USCG delegation, led by Joe Prince Larson of the International Port Security Programme, concluded a working tour of several Nigerian port facilities on March 25, 2025. The team’s itinerary included inspections of the cutting-edge Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Port in Lagos State, as well as private terminals operated by Matrix and Julius Berger in Warri, Delta State.  Read more…

Rather than another use of the old adage of the London Bus analogy yet again, a change of emphasis on the idiom is required, with a tale of similar vessels all turning up one after the other. In terms of the worldwide offshore wind energy industry, and their vessels calling in at Durban and Cape Town, thanks to the Houthi idiocy, and as the old saying goes, it never rains but it pours. Although the use of the proverb in this context is positive, and not negative! On 8th March, at 07:00 in the morning, the offshore wind farm Commissioning Support Operations Vessel (CSOV) ‘Norwind Breeze’ (IMO 9745079) arrived off Cape Town, from Las Palmas in the Canary Islands. Read more…

Aviation, maritime and telecoms agencies have raised the alarm over an increase in jamming and spoofing of satellite navigation systems. This was reported jointly on 25 March. Increasing incidents of interference with aviation, maritime and other satellite telecommunications services mean States need to urgently enhance their protection of a critical radio-frequency band, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and International Maritime Organization (IMO) said with ‘grave concern’ in a joint statement.   Read more…

The South African government has taken a major step toward revitalizing its rail and port freight logistics sector by inviting private sector participation.  Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy officially launched an online Request for Information (RFI) process to facilitate collaboration with private investors and address long-standing infrastructure and efficiency challenges. Announcing the initiative, Minister Creecy emphasized that while strategic infrastructure such as railways and ports would remain under public ownership, the government aims to foster competition and attract investment to enhance efficiency. “The efficiency of logistics systems is integral to the functioning of all economies,” she stated.  Read more…

North-west African country Mauritania is another beneficiary of financial assistance from the European Union (EU) European Peace Facility (EPF). A new 20 million euro ($21.5 million) assistance measure, announced by the Council of the EU on 24 March, is the third to the former French colony and will see the country acquire military equipment. Previous assistance measures totalled 27 million euros and were adopted in December 2022 and July 2024. The measures, according to the statement, support efforts of the Mauritanian armed forces to promote stability in the Sahel, counter the risk of destabilisation and protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Mauritania and its civilian population against internal and external aggression.   Read more…

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Cape Town is set to become the focal point for Africa’s maritime industry as it hosts the second edition of the African Harbour Masters Committee (AHMC) Conference from 2 – 4 April 2025. Under the theme Navigating the Future: Sustainable Port Management in Africa, the event will bring together around 200 industry leaders, including harbour masters, government officials, and maritime professionals from at least 20 African nations. With ports serving as vital economic gateways, the conference will focus on developing strategies to enhance port performance, improve operations, and address sustainability concerns.  Read more…

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Africa Ports & Ships

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and informed with Africa Ports & Ships  – our 23rd year of reporting directly from Africa (est. 2002).  

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Africa Ports & Ships

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FIRST VIEW: MSC Olbia, a new addition to MSC’s expanding fleet

Africa Ports & Ships

The global shipping industry continues to grow, with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) leading the charge and introducing new vessels to its fleet to enhance trade efficiency and capacity.

One such recent addition is the MSC Olbia (IMO 9987299), a state-of-the-art LNG-dual powered container ship that has been making waves across international shipping lanes. With a robust design and impressive technical specifications, MSC Olbia is well-equipped to handle the demands of modern maritime logistics.

Built and handed over in December 2024 and sailing under the Liberian flag, the ship boasts a length overall (LOA) of 366 metres and a beam of 51 metres, making her a formidable presence in the shipping industry not often seen in Durban or any South African harbour.

MSC Olbia has a gross tonnage of 154,165 and a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 168,000 metric tons, enabling her to transport significant quantities of cargo efficiently.

She is part of a series of twelve LNG dual-fuel container ships built by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group (Jiangsu Yangzi Xinfu Shipbuilding) for the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). Each vessel in this series, including the MSC Olbia, has a container capacity of 16,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units).

The ship’s current deployment is not quite clear and any clarification will be welcome! MSC Olbia’s recent call at the port of Durban marked a significant stop on her international journey.  It has been reported how MSC has replaced ships calling between the Far East and West Africa with some of their largest 24,000-TEU capacity ships, with smaller 14,000 and 16,000 TEU vessels instead handling the direct Far East – Europe trades.

The vessel arrived in Durban on 21 March 2025, at 20:56 local time and departed on 24 March at 02:01 local time. Following her departure, the ship set sail for Shanghai, China, where it is expected to arrive on 8 April 2025, at 18:00 local time.

Before reaching Durban, MSC Olbia visited several major European ports, including Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Felixstowe between February and March 2025. These stops highlight the vessel’s role in facilitating trade between Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Throughout her journey, MSC Olbia has maintained an efficient pace, with an average speed of 12.6 knots and a maximum speed of 16.8 knots. The vessel’s performance underscores MSC’s commitment to maintaining a reliable and effective global shipping network.

MSC Olbia represents MSC’s dedication to expanding and modernising its fleet and is expected to reinforce MSC’s position as the world’s leading container shipping company, ensuring smooth and efficient cargo transport across global trade routes.

Added 30 March 2025

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SA unveils strategic economic diversification plan amid US tariffs

This is after United States President, Donald Trump, announced global reciprocal tariffs on most imported goods, with South Africa facing a 31% tariff increase.

“The new tariff regime arising from the decision by the United States of America, which have been directed not only to South Africa, but the entire world, necessitates strategic responses to maintain and grow our industrial base, as a crucial avenue to pursue inclusive growth,” the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said on Friday.

Lamola was speaking during a joint media briefing with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau.

He informed journalists that South Africa will continue to tackle the challenges and seize opportunities with resilience and innovation, as the country moves forward with ensuring economic growth, industrial development, and the well-being of its citizens.

Lamola outlined plans to navigate the challenges posed by the 31% tariffs set to take effect from 9 April 2025.

These include negotiating favourable trade agreements with the United States; leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra-African trade; and prioritising high-value manufacturing to reduce tariff exposure.

In addition, he said government remains committed to building economic resilience, exploring alternative market access through existing trade agreements and strategic partnerships with countries across various regions.

“We will intensify efforts to diversify export destinations, targeting markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas,” the Minister stated.

According to Lamola, government aims to reduce dependence on single export markets and foster economic resilience.

Meanwhile, he announced that the State will invest strategically in industries impacted by the tariffs, supporting economic growth through modernisation and targeted infrastructure development.

The sweeping tariff measures will affect several sectors of South Africa’s economy, including automotive, industrial agriculture, processed food and beverage, chemical, metals, and other segments of manufacturing.

According to Lamola, South Africa’s tariff and industrial strategy are designed to support industrial development, employment growth, and economic resilience.

“By aligning these policies with the national interest, South Africa will ensure that its economy emerges stronger, more diversified, and resilient in the face of global trade complexities,” he explained.

This approach will also apply to the 7 February Executive Order, which led to the withdrawal from the Just Energy Transition (JET) partnership with South Africa.

“South Africa’s average tariff is 7.6% and therefore South Africa needs clarity on the basis for the 31% to be implemented by the US.”

Lamola clarified that products such as copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber articles, certain critical minerals, and energy and energy products, have been exempted from the reciprocal tariffs.

These reciprocal tariffs will also not apply to products already facing Section 232 tariffs of 25%, such as steel, aluminium, automobiles, and auto parts.

Currently, the Minister said the United States represents 7.45% of South Africa’s total exports, while South Africa accounts for only 0.4% of the United States’ imports.

“As such, South Africa does not constitute a threat to the US, and there is a trade imbalance in favour of South Africa. It is mainly on agricultural products, which are counter-cyclical, and on minerals, which are inputs in US industries.”

Highlighting the potential impact, Lamola noted that the tariffs “effectively nullify the preference that Sub-Saharan African countries enjoy under the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).”

However, despite the challenges, Lamola said government remains optimistic.

“The tariffs affirm the urgency to negotiate a new bilateral and mutually beneficial agreement with the US, that will establish more fair-trade relations with the US as an essential step to secure long-term trade certainty,” Lamola added.

Meanwhile, Tau stressed the need for confirmation from the United States on how they arrived at the tariff number, referencing international norms and standards.

He also highlighted the importance of transparency in tariff calculations, using World Trade Organisation (WTO) standards and the most favoured nations mechanism.

“And that’s why we are advocating for a reform of the World Trade Organisation and ensuring that it’s able to adapt to current reality, but also ensuring that we’re able to reinforce a multilateral system of trade and transparency across the board. Otherwise, you’re going to have an environment where there are no global rules,” Tau added. source: SAnews.gov.za

Added 4 April 2025

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WHARF TALK: PCTC – CMA CGM SILVERSTONE

On 31st March, at the early hour of 03:00 in the morning, the pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) ‘CMA CGM Silverstone’ (IMO 9953793) arrived off the Durban Bluff, from Hambantota in Sri Lanka. She entered Durban harbour, proceeding to the Point Terminal and going alongside, and straddling, berths Q and R.

Built in 2024 by China Merchants Jinling shipyard at Weihai in China, ‘CMC CGM Silverstone’ is 200 metres in length, with a 38 metre beam, and has a gross registered tonnage of 71,631 tons. She is a dual fuel vessel and is powered by a single MAN-B&W 7S60ME-C10.5-GI-EcoEGR seven cylinder, two stroke, main engine producing 17,430 bhp (12,998 kW) to drive a fixed pitch propeller for a service speed of 18.5 knots.

Her auxiliary machinery includes three Hyundai Himsen 8H22CDF generators providing 1,634 kW each, and a single Cummins NT855-D(M) emergency generator providing 358 kW. She has a single Alfa Laval Aalborg XS-7V exhaust gas boiler, and a single Alfa Laval Aalborg OS-TCi oil fired boiler. For added manoeuvrability ‘CMA CGM Silverstone’ is fitted with a single Nakashima bow NT-F110 transverse thruster.

Her dual fuel capability means that she is able to burn both marine diesel, and Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), as advertised on her hull. As well as being fitted with standard bunker fuel tanks, ‘CMA CGM Silverstone’ is also fitted with two LNG tanks, each with a capacity of 2,000 m3. As well as her Tier III compliant main engine, she is also fitted with a hybrid lithium battery system, which is connected to two banks of solar panels, running each side along her upper bridge deck.

Her eco credentials of operating with dual fuel does come with a caveat. LNG can curb carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by about a quarter, compared to conventional marine bunker fuels, but there is always a ‘but’. The ‘but’ is that methane emissions of LNG can be 36 times more potent as a greenhouse gas (GHG), compared to carbon dioxide, over a longer period of time, as long as a century, according to a World Bank study.

As a PCTC, ‘CMA CGM Silverstone’ has 12 decks, some of which are hoistable, and she can carry the car equivalent units of 7,000 CEU. Loading takes place via a starboard quarter Ro-Ro ramp, as well as being fitted with a smaller starboard side Ro-Ro ramp. Interestingly, and bizarrely, she is also given a container carrying capacity of 1 TEU, and is fitted with 1 reefer plug.

She is the fourth of four sisterships, all given the names of Formula One car racing circuits, with her sisterships being named, in order of delivery, ‘CMA CGM Indianapolis’, ‘CMA CGM Monaco’, ‘CMA CGM Monza’, and of course Silverstone being the home of the British Grand Prix. It was only in 2023 that CMA CGM decided to enter the PCTC market, with ‘CMA CGM Indianapolis’ entering service in December 2023, and ‘CMA CGM Silverstone’ being the last to enter service in July 2024.

Owned by Eastern Pacific Shipping Pte. Ltd., of Singapore, ‘CMA CGM Silverstone’ is operated by CMA CGM The French Line, of Marseille in France, and is managed by Eastern Pacific Shipping (UK) Ltd., of London in the UK. Both she, and her sisterships, are on long term charter to CEVA Logistics, also of Marseille in France, who are the logistics subsidiary of CMA CGM. CEVA Logistics expect to transport 140,000 vehicles per annum to Europe, with all vehicles being shipped from South Korea and China.

The loading ports in South Korea are Gwangyang, Pyeongtaek, and Ulsan, with mostly Hyundai and KIA vehicles being loaded. Chinese loading ports being Huangpu, Tianjin, Yantai, and Shanghai. Loading ports vary with each voyage, as do discharge ports in Europe. She is utilised on the new CMA CGM Asia Europe Car Carrier 01 (AE01) route, with her first European discharge port on this voyage being Antwerp in Belgium.

The European discharge ports that ‘CMA CGM Silverstone’ has utilised in the past year have been Bremerhaven and Emden in Germany, Zeebrugge and Antwerp in Belgium, Rotterdam in Holland, Immingham, Tilbury and Southampton in the UK, and Setubal in Portugal. Her call at both Hambantota and Durban is not associated with this route, and may be a ‘one off’ call.

On this current voyage, that brings her to Durban for her maiden call, ‘CMA CGM Silverstone’ loaded Hyundai vehicles at Gwangyang, then proceeded to continue loading at both Yantai and Shanghai, before heading to Hambantota. This was her first call at this contentious port, and was for purposes not of discharging vehicles, but of loading transshipment vehicles that had been left waiting there for her to pick up, and transport on to Casablanca in Morocco.

The casual maritime observer, who keeps abreast of international shipping news, will be aware of the history of the port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka. It was built for the, now discredited, former Sri Lankan government by Chinese state owned construction companies, with loans provided by Chinese state owned banks.

The Sri Lankan government then struggled to repay these loans, and the Chinese government took control of the port in lieu of debt, and now run the whole enterprise. It is probably the best example of what is termed ‘Debt Trap Diplomacy’, something that the Chinese Government is often accused of, although there are equal arguments against that accusation.

As with all PCTC calls at South African ports, the discharge period are quick, based on the nature of the cargo that they carry, and after just over 30 hours alongside the Point Terminal ‘CMA CGM Silverstone’ was ready to sail. She sailed from Durban on 1st April, at 10:00 in the morning and, as expected, her AIS indicated that she was now bound for Casablanca in Morocco, and with an ETA there in the early evening of 15th April.

CMA CGM are the third largest of the big three container ship operators in the world, behind MSC and Maersk, and are regular callers at Durban, which not only includes routes that link South Africa with Sri Lanka, as well as many other routes, as well as CMA CGM having no less than 14 calls a week at Colombo in Sri Lanka.

However, it is not likely that a regular connection between Sri Lanka and South Africa in the international vehicle market is likely. As such, this may be the only time the casual maritime observer gets to spot what is both new, and a rarity, that of a CMA CGM Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) in a South African port. One can only hope that this view is wrong, and that this trade will increase, and more CMA CGM PCTC vessels will call in the future.

Added 2 April 2025

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Hapag-Lloyd to retrofit five large container ships for methanol fuel

The initiative, undertaken in partnership with Seaspan Corporation and MAN Energy Solutions, marks a crucial step in the company’s long-term decarbonization strategy.

The decision follows a successful test of a retrofitted MAN S90 engine conducted by MAN Energy Solutions and Hitachi Zosen Marine Engine in Japan.

This breakthrough has demonstrated that large container ships can effectively transition from traditional fossil fuels to methanol, a more sustainable alternative that significantly reduces carbon emissions.

According to Hapag-Lloyd, the five converted vessels could cut CO2 emissions by 30,000 to 50,000 metric tonnes annually—comparable to removing thousands of cars from the roads.

The company has already earmarked more than fifty ships in its fleet for similar upgrades as it strives to meet its 2045 decarbonization goal.

Dr. Maximilian Rothkopf, Chief Operating Officer at Hapag-Lloyd, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability, stating: “Our methanol retrofit project is another step on our journey to decarbonize our entire fleet by 2045.

By making these ships methanol-ready by 2026, we’re not only shrinking our carbon footprint—we’re also meeting the growing demand for greener transport solutions from our customers.”

With global shipping accounting for nearly 3% of worldwide carbon emissions, the industry faces mounting pressure to adopt cleaner fuels. Methanol, seen as a promising alternative, produces fewer greenhouse gases and pollutants compared to conventional marine fuels.

Hapag-Lloyd’s initiative aligns with a broader industry trend, as more shipping companies explore alternative fuels to meet stricter environmental regulations.

The success of these retrofits could pave the way for wider adoption of methanol-fueled vessels, accelerating the maritime sector’s shift towards sustainability.

Added 2 April 2025

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‘Liberation Day’ tariffs will ‘change the rules of game’ for global trade – Xeneta

“Liberation Day will not feel very liberating for those shippers caught in the eye of the tariff storm,” said Peter Sand, Chief Analyst at Xeneta – the ocean and air freight intelligence platform.

“It is tough to make important decisions on your supply chain when the rules of the game keep changing.

“Many US shippers are right at the point of agreeing new long-term ocean container freight contracts coming into effect on 1 May, so this puts them in an extremely difficult position. Where will they be importing goods from in the next 12 months and which carrier should they choose? he said.

The tariffs will increase the overall landed cost of importing goods, but Sand has stated the downward trend in ocean container spot rates since 1 January is likely to continue.

He said: “At this point we do not expect significant upward pressure on ocean container freight rates. Carriers did push spot rate increases on trades from the Far East to US on 1 April, but these are unlikely to stick as they come off the back of steady market decline since 1 January and subdued demand in February and March.

“The falling demand in February and March is partly due to increased volumes in January in the pre-Lunar New Year rush, but also because shippers are easing off from the frontloading we saw throughout 2024.

“Once the tariff situation becomes clearer and shippers begin to diversify supply chains across regions, it is possible we could see disruption in ocean supply chains and upward pressure on rates, but this may be a little further down the line.”

Average spot rates from the Far East increased 8% into the US East Coast and 15% into the US West Coast on 1 April, however they are down 43% and 49% since 1 January respectively.

It is a similar scenario for the air cargo market, with analysts not expecting significant increases in rates in the immediate aftermath of the tariffs.

Niall van de Wouw, Chief Airfreight Officer, said that time and again, air cargo supply chain professionals have proven their resilience and they will show the same calm determination in the face of the tariff threat.

“We saw an uptick in air cargo rates from China and Europe to the US at the end of March but nothing to set alarm bells ringing. The more likely scenario is a decrease in air cargo rates if tariffs result in higher prices and lower consumer demand.

“We could also see lower demand for US exports if there is growing anti-US sentiment across consumers in regions hit by the tariffs. Consumer sentiment has the potential to be even more powerful than tariffs.

“We should also consider there will be more capacity added to these trades in the coming weeks as airlines start summer schedules, which will also put downward pressure on rates.”

Air cargo spot rates currently stand at USD 4.16 per kg from Shanghai to US, down from the peak season high of USD 5.75 in the week ending 10 November. Spot rates from Western Europe to the US stand at USD 2.16 per kg, down from the peak season high of USD 3.51 in the week ending 15 December.

Van de Wouw believes proposals to introduce fees against Chinese ships and carriers entering US ports poses a more substantial risk to air supply chains, if it is approved following a two-day public hearing last week.

“The proposed fees on Chinese vessels and carriers entering US ports could have a more significant impact if congestion in ocean container supply chains causes shippers to move more goods by air,” he said.

“With around 98% of the world’s goods transported by ocean it doesn’t take much of a percentage shift to have major implications for air freight, as we saw during Covid-19 and the Red Sea crisis.”

Added 2 April 2025

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Briefly Speaking! News in Short

Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison appears to have changed its mind, under apparent pressure from Beijing, and will not sell its two Panama Canal shipping terminals to an American/Swiss/Italian interest. It had earlier agreed to sell its terminals at Balboa and Cristobal, at each end of the canal, to a consortium consisting of US company Blackrock and MSC subsidiary, TiL, for the sum of $23 billion.

This was after US President Trump made demands about the canal saying it should be taken over by the US. The offer to purchase the two Chinese-operated container terminals on either side of the canal by Blackrock and TiL followed quickly and was equally quickly agreed to by Hutchison, until Beijing stepped in. The sale was due to have been signed this Wednesday (2 April 2025).

The MSC Cruises ship MSC Musica s on her way back to the Mediterranean after completing her 2024/25 summer cruise season operating out of Durban, and for a limited period, Cape Town.

It’s not known how successful or otherwise the recent cruise season has been and social media comments about the ship and its offerings have been mixed. Among the highlights of the cruise season was probably the birders cruise from Durban to Marion Island in the Southern Ocean which attracted about two thousand passengers and was deemed a great success.

In recent years we have seen the much larger MSC Splendida (max 3774 passengers) replaced by a smaller MSC Musica (2,550 passengers), and now the news that a ship of the same ‘Lirica’ class, MSC Opera, will arrive later this year for the 2025/26 summer. Both these ships are around 20 years old – has South Africa returned to the Starlight days of ageing tonnage to cruise locally or is this a sign that interest in cruising is starting to wane?

It’s been reported that the Nacala Corridor Railway, linking Moatize in the Mozambique coal belt, and Malawi in between, with the port at Nacala, has been restored.

This follows some fairly extensive damage caused by the recent Cyclone Jude, that came ashore in the region and caused much structural damage including to the railway, halting all railway operations to the coal export port at Nacala-a-Velha.

Repair crews were quickly on hand however and in just 10 days services were restored by 23 March 2025.

Does MSC never stop expanding? According to US reports, MSC subsidiary company Medlog USA will acquire a majority interest in another US company. the intermodal provider, COFC Logistics, in a deal expected to close this week.

COFC Logistics is described as a popular option when wanting to transport a 53-ft container on BNSF Railway. COFC apparently transports over 100,000 intermodal shipments each year. The deal includes keeping on the full COFC management team.

US President Donald Trump in one of his recent messages via the social media service X, has warned the Houthi movement in Yemen to stop shooting at US ships or face an escalation of US response.

The US has an aircraft carrier, USS Harry S Truman sailing in the region and has since 15 March carried out over 30 air strikes aimed at “decimating” Houthi capability of attacking ships sailing in the Red Sea with missiles and drones.

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New MD appointed at African Morocco Link (AML)

Houari has done his Bsc in shipping operations in Southampton, his MBA at ENPC Paris, and has more than 25 years of maritime experience in ferry, RoRo, and port operations in the shipping sector between Morocco and Spain.

Most recently, he held the position of Managing Director for three logistics zones companies within the Tangier Med Group, where he previously also had responsibilities for both port and ferry operations.

As Managing Director for AML in Morocco, Houari will be responsible for managing the two freight and travel routes between Tanger Med and Algeciras, as well as the highspeed route between Tanger Ville and Tarifa.

He succeeds Ian Hampton, who has served as interim Managing Director for AML since May last year.

In April 2024, Swedish ferry company, Stena Line, acquired 49 percent of the shares in the Morocco-based ferry company AML, taking a historic step in expanding Stena Line’s operations beyond Europe.

The balance of 51% remains held by Moroccan interests, Compagnie de Transports au Maroc.

Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line, welcomed Houari into the Stena Line sphere.
“I am convinced that, with his extensive and broad experience in running operations in the Strait of Gibraltar, he will succeed in this role,” Mårtensson said.

Tangier-based AML operates a ferry service between Tanger Med and Algeciras and has plans to introduce a new high-speed route between Tangier and Tarifa. The first route caters to both freight and passenger clientele, while the second route will focus on passengers and cars.

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Getting on board: The green shipping revolution – A new IMO video

In the words of IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez: ‘Bold actions are required to reduce GHG emissions and combat climate change. We know that shipping can definitely drive a green and digital transformation.’

IMO Member States have committed in the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy to reach net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. Operational and technical improvements are already boosting energy efficiency, along with the use of alternative marine fuels.

Ship operators are investing in premium hull coatings and integrating wind propulsion to reduce fuel consumption.

“No single country can implement this strategy alone,” commented Ximena Fuentes, Ambassador of Chile to the United Kingdom.

“All interests must be taken into account, in particular the interests of developing countries – building their capacities to be able to adapt safely to new fuels.”

Harry Conway, Chair of the IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) added that IMO is working to overcome the challenges to make the ambitions in the GHG Strategy a reality.

“We all have different interests. We should build consensus around a particular objective or goal.”

The GHG Strategy will leave no one behind in the transition. Mustapha Sellam, Director, Noor Ouarzazate Solar complex in Morocco reflected that the opportunities and potential of developing countries depend on their natural resource assets. “So they have a huge potential for energy production,” he said.

To conclude IMO S-G Dominguez urged: “Be part of the solution. Everyone has a role to play in the green shipping revolution.”

To watch the IMO video readers are invited to watch the following [3:58]:

In addition, readers are encouraged to explore the latest information on alternative marine fuel and technologies with the IMO link here.

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EU/India naval dialogue ahead of Africa/India NAVEX

On the agenda were, among others, developments in the maritime security situation in both Europe and the Indian Ocean. Avenues of co-operation in areas such as countering illicit maritime activities, protection of critical maritime infrastructure, capacity building for partners, maritime domain awareness and, what an EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy statement said were, “activities within regional maritime security forums”.

The dialogue took place ahead of the announcement of a multinational naval exercise in mid-April. The six-day exercise, billed the maiden will be co-hosted by the Indian Navy and the Tanzania Peoples’ Defence Force (TPDF) and will be held off Dar-es-Salaam. Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa are set down to take part along with the co-hosts.

The New Delhi dialogue built on a recent visit of the College of Commissioners to India, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen expressed satisfaction with the growing cooperation in the defence and security domain, including joint exercises and collaboration between Indian Navy and EU Maritime security entities.

A commitment to international peace and security was emphasised, including maritime security by tackling traditional and non-traditional threats to safeguard trade and sea lanes of communication. Enhancing engagement on maritime domain awareness with a view to promote shared assessment, co-ordination and interoperability was one a key deliverable of the visit.

The dialogue was co-chaired by Maciej Stadejek, Director for Security and Defence Policy at the European External Action Service (EEAS), and Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary for Disarmament and International Security Affairs at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

Naval co-operation between the EU and India has expanded in recent years with successful joint exercises in the Gulf of Guinea and Gulf of Aden, according to an EU statement.

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

Added 31 March 2025

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WHARF TALK: specialist heavylift vessel – BROUWERSGRACHT

On 28th March, at 10:00 in the morning, the specialist heavylift vessel arrived off Cape Town, from Singapore. She entered Cape Town harbour, proceeding into the Duncan Dock, and going alongside the Landing Wall. As always, such a berthing arrangement is normally indicative of a quick call for bunkers, stores and fresh provisions.

Built in 2023 by the Mawei shipyard at Fuzhou in China, ‘Brouwersgracht’ is 141 metres in length and has a gross registere4d tonnage of 14,498 tons. She is powered by a single Wärtsilä 9L32 nine cylinder, four stroke, main engine producing 7,000 bhp (5,220 kW), to give her a service speed of 13 knots.

Her auxiliary machinery includes four generators providing 2,000 kW each. For added manoeuvrability she has two bow transverse thrusters providing 1,950 kW each, and two stern transverse thrusters providing 1,100 kW each. Unusually for what appears to be heavylift multi-purpose carrier ‘Brouwersgracht’ also has a single bow azimuth retractable thruster providing 1,800 kW, and a single stern retractable azimuth thruster providing 1,800 kW.

As part of her owners drive for reduced emissions, ‘Brouwersgracht’ machinery exhausts are all passed through Scrubbers, and she is fitted with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems to reduce all NOx and Sox emissions. Her main engine also conforms to the environmentally friendly requirements of IMO Tier III emission standards as part of MARPOL Annex VI.

Not unsurprisingly, or equally surprisingly for such a vessel, this complex fit of propellers and thrusters gives ‘Brouwersgracht’ a dynamic positioning classification of DP2. Despite her size, her DP system allows her to maintain station keeping up to Beaufort Wind Scale 6, which is wind speeds of up to 27 knots, and a sea state with waves up to 4 metres in height.

She was designed by the Dutch Naval Architect firm of Conoship International BV, of Groningen in Holland, as a vessel capable of acting in any offshore capacity as, what amounts to, an extremely large platform supply vessel. She also has that modern requirement for offshore vessels for her accommodation block to be piled up on her forecastle.

She also conforms to the Polar Code, and has an ice classification of ICE 1A, which allows her to operate in first year Baltic ice conditions with ice thickness of up to 0.8 metres, or in Polar ice conditions with ice thickness of up to 0.7 metres. This high ice classification allows her to be used virtually anywhere in the world.

She is owned by the Spliethoff Group, of Amsterdam in Holland, which was founded in 1921, and whose houseflag is to be seen on her funnel, with ‘Brouwersgracht’ being operated by the Spliethoff specialist heavylift subsidiary company BigLift Shipping BV, of Amsterdam, and managed by Spliethoff Bevrachtingkantoor BV, also of Amsterdam. She is one of two sisterships, known as the Spliethoff DP2 B-type class. This is the fourth time in the company’s history that the name ‘Brouwersgracht’ has been used for vessels in the Spliethoff fleet.

She has a single hold with dimensions of 82 metres by 18 metres, and has an open hatch classification. Her deck strength is 20 tons/m2 with a hold area of 1,450 m2, and a hold capacity of 18,884 m3. Her weather deck measures 121 metres by 25 metres and provides a cargo carrying area of 2,875 m2. She has a container carrying capacity of 941 TEU. Her heavylift capacity is provided by two, port side, Huisman mast cranes, each capable of lifting 500 tons.

Her heavylift capability, coupled with her DP2 classification, allows ‘Brouwersgracht’ to be operated both as a specialist heavylift transport, and to be utilised for offshore installations. In support of the offshore capability, she was designed for the loading, carriage, and offloading of large subsea gas and oil pipeline pieces. For her offshore use, she has accommodation provided for up to 60 persons, which also means she has the unusual arrangement of a double free-fall lifeboat gantry on her stern.

Her offshore pipeline operations are achieved with her being fitted with two removable KenzFigee, electric pipe gantry cranes, with a lifting capacity of 135 ton. This pipe handling system is capable of completing 1,000 pipe joints per day, and is fitted with an anti-sway system, and operates in a semi-automatic mode, which allows for the hold to be unmanned during pipe moving operations.

On her visit to Cape Town, her pipe gantry cranes were not visible, but she had a deck load of specialist offshore engineering units, that appeared to show a Seabed subsea base, a rotating arm, and a cable, or pipeline, sheave unit, which indicated her voyage was in support of an offshore project elsewhere. After just 22 hours alongside, and having completed her uplift of bunkers, and her onload of stores and fresh provisions, ‘Brouwersgracht’ was ready to sail. At 08:00 in the morning of 29th March, she sailed from Cape Town, with her AIS showing that her next destination was to be the oil service port of Pointe Noire, in the Republic of Congo.

On her delivery to her owners back in late 2023, ‘Brouwersgracht’ went straight onto a pipe delivery and transfer operation offshore Western Australia, in support of the pipelaying vessel ‘Castorone’. She was required to hold, and transfer, pipes delivered to her by two other Spliethoff heavylift vessels directly to the pipelaying vessel.

The pipes were used in a six month contract laying the 234 nautical mile long Scarborough Trunk pipeline, which links the Scarborough Natural Gas Field, located in the Caernarvon Basin some 202 nautical miles off the coast of North Western Australia, to the Pluto LNG processing facility, that is located onshore in Karratha, which lies adjacent to the iron ore port of Dampier.

For the nomenclature aficionado ‘Brouwersgracht’, as with all vessels in the Spliethoff fleet, is named after a famous Dutch Canal, with the Brouwersgracht canal to be found in the city of Amsterdam. The canal took its name in 1594 from the many beer breweries that were to be found in this area, and in 2007 the street that runs alongside the Brouwersgracht was voted the most beautiful street in Amsterdam.

Added 31 March 2025

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Copernicus goes south: Antarctica & South Georgia

London

The first-ever World Day for Glaciers, dedicated to raising awareness about the crucial role glaciers play in sustaining life on Earth, was commemorated on 21 March.

Glaciers act as essential reservoirs of freshwater, providing water to millions of people, and support biodiversity around the world. However, rising global temperatures are causing glaciers to retreat, the consequences of which include water scarcity, rising sea levels, and increased frequency of disasters such as floods or landslides.

The image shown above, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 26 January, shows the Dawson-Lambton Glacier in Antarctica. This glacier is home to a colony of emperor penguins (in the image, penguin guano is visible in the top right).

The Dawson-Lambton Glacier, like many others in the area, is vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, raising concerns about the potential impacts this vulnerability may have on the penguin colony.

The effects of climate change on glaciers and on the wildlife dependent on these ecosystems can be monitored with the free and open data delivered by the Copernicus Sentinel satellites.

Another Copernicus image, the Sentinel-3 image, acquired on 17 March, shows the world’s biggest iceberg, known as A23a.

Once measuring 3,900 km2, the iceberg is now roughly 3,300 km2, shrinking as it passes through the Antarctic Ocean.

The iceberg started moving again in 2024 after being stuck on the floor of the Weddell Sea for over thirty years. After travelling over 350 km since December 2024, A23a has now run aground nearly 70 km from South Georgia Island.

Researchers tracking the iceberg suggest that its presence or future movement could affect the wildlife of South Georgia, which serves as an important breeding ground for animals such as penguins and seals.

Open data from the Copernicus Sentinel satellites delivers vital insights on remote areas around the world, including in the Antarctic. This information is key to better understanding changes in these complex environments and their impacts on affected ecosystems.

On 26 March Copernicus that since 2017, Antarctic sea ice minimums have consistently set record lows, highlighting a concerning trend in climate change. This ongoing decline impacts global ocean currents, weather patterns, and ecosystems.

On 25 February Antarctic sea ice reached its minimum extent for the year at 1.87 million km², marking the seventh lowest minimum extent on record, tied with 2024. The extent measures 8% lower than the average, according to the Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS).

This data visualisation, generated with CMEMS data, shows the Antarctic sea ice extent on 25 February in white. The reference sea ice extent for February is outlined in red.

CMEMS provides reliable data on the White Ocean, enabling the monitoring of key sea ice trends. Its insights support scientific research, policymaking, and environmental management, improving the understanding of sea ice and its role in the global climate system.

Added 31 March 2025