Research aims to improve safety of mooring off Africa
26 April 2013

Bechtel has launched a new research initiative to improve the safety of mooring large cargo ships off the coast of West Africa.  The combination of heavy ocean swell, squalls and shallow coastlines can create unpredictable conditions which limit the number of dry bulkers that can be moored safely in the area.  The results of this research aim to provide new mooring guidelines and systems, which will improve the transfer and transshipment of natural resources from the region.

Illegal fishing suspects appear in court
19 April 2013

Three suspects are expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates Court in connection with illegal abalone fishing activities.  The three were arrested following a collaborative clampdown on an abalone processing facility near Atlantis on Wednesday evening that saw 21,742 units of wet abalone being seized.  Officials from the Fisheries branch of the department as well as members of the Hawks and officials from the South African Revenue Services (SARS) swooped in on the premises confiscating the wet abalone, three walk-in freezers and other abalone fishing gear and equipment.

Umbilical contract in West Africa
16 April 2013

Aker Solutions has been awarded a contract from Technip to deliver umbilicals for the Girassol Resources Initiative (GirRI) phase 2 development off the coast of Angola.  Contract value is undisclosed.  Aker Solutions will deliver two dynamic power and control steel tube umbilicals, one dynamic power cable and ancillary equipment.  GirRI is located in Angola's Block 17, 210 kilometres west of Luanda.  The development is 1,300 metres under sea level.

TNPA announces helicopter pilot training
3 April 2013

National Ports Authority (TNPA) has announced the commencement of its first helicopter pilot training programme that will ensure future in-house continuity of this mission critical skill.  The first intake of 16 trainee pilots selected from across the country, are being trained by Starlite Africa Aviation.  They have completed the initial theoretical leg of their training at Durban's Virginia Airport and have transferred to Starlite's technologically advanced international training facility in Mossel Bay where thay will complete the 14 month course.

New service links Indian Sub-Continent to southern Africa
3 April 2013

United Africa Feeder Line (UAFL) will team up with Evergren Line to launch the new 'IMMA' Service linking the Indian Sub-Continent with Mauritius, Madagascar, South Africa and Mozambique from late April 2013.  Three 2,500 teu vessels will be deployed on the joint service.  The first sailing is scheduled from Karachi, Pakistan, on April 22, 2013.  The rotation of the bi-weekly service will be:  Karachi - Mundra - Colombo - Port Louis - Tamatave - Durban - Maputo - Nacala - Karachi.

Fairmount Summit delivered rig SSV Catarina offshore Angola
28 March 2013

Tug Fairmount Summit has delivered rig SSV Catarina offshore Angola.  The rig was towed from Okpo, South Korea, via the Strait of Malacca and the Cape of Good Hope to Angola.

Transnet signs deal with China Development Bank
27 March 2013

Transnet and the China Development Bank have signed a cooperation agreement which will help to finance the construction and upgrade of railway and port infrastructure.  The agreement, which was signed on Tuesday as the Brics Summit got underway in Durban, also includes - but is not limited to - cooperation on localising equipment manufacturing, especially in the rail and port sectors.

SA, Russia sign fisheries cooperation intent
27 March 2013

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) has signed a statement of intent on cooperation in fisheries with Russia at the 5th Bric Summit currently underway in Durban.  'This agreement will be beneficial to South Africa for a number of reasons, including capacitating human capital through training opportunities and combating unregulated fishing,' said Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson.

Subsea contract awarded in the Congo
25 March 2013

Aker Solutions has won a contract from Total for the delivery of a subsea production system for the Moho Nord project in the Republic of Congo.  The contract value is approximately NOK 4.9 billion (USD 850 million).  This will include the delivery of 28 vertical subsea trees including wellhead systems, two installation and workover control systems, seven manifold structures, subsea control and tie-in systems.

Fishing boat handover
21 March 2013

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davies, today handed over fishing vessels to the Ocean View (Cape Town, South Africa) community as part of the Fishing Cluster Development Programme. 

No crisis in the fishing industry
20 March 2013

Following a breakfast meeting hosted by South Africa's Minister of Agriculature, Forestry and Fisheries, Tina Joemat-Petterrson, CEO's of the major fishing companies spoke to the media to assure them that there was "no crisis in the fishing industry". This comes after many months of expressing disappointment in the ministry and its lack of availability to engage with the industry. 

The Swedish Club Academy eyes China in maritime safety training campaign
18 March 2013

The Swedish Club Academy focused on China during a five-day Maritime Resource Management roadshow at the end of March.  MRM training aims at establishing safe operational cultures where teamwork and effective communication are key components, even to the extent of encouraging crew members to 'challenge' decisions made by their masters and superiors.

Contract for subsea umbilicals for Nigeria
15 March 2013

Aker solutions has signed a contract with ExxonMobil for the supply of subsea umbilicals for the Erha North phase two developments in Nigeria.  The Erha North Phase 2 development is an extension of the existing Erha subsea system and infrastructure located approximately 97 kilometres offshore Nigeria in water depths between 1,000 and 1,200 metres.  Aker Solutions' scope of work includes the delivery of two dynamic and two static steel tube umbilicals, at a total length of 16.5 kilometres.  The umbilicals will be delivered in 2014.

Investigation reveals serious allegations at PetroSA
14 March 2013

An investigation initiated by the Department of Energy has revealed serious allegations against several officials at the national oil company PetroSA, the Central Energy Fund (CEF) said yesterday.  Energy Minister Dipuo Peters initiated investigations that were conducted at some enterprises that report to her department, so as to ensure adherence to good corporate governance prnciples and transparency.  A preliminary report has been issued by the investigating team that unearthed inappropriate executive overriding of internal control systems at PetroSA, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of CEF (SOC) Ltd.  According to CEF, the report also makes serious allegations against certain current and former senior officials.  Currently, the report is being studied by the Board of CEF.

Seli 1 wreck reduction well underway
14 March 2013

The City of Cape Town says progress has been made on the Turkish vessel Seli 1 wreck reduction efforts.  'Significant progress has been made to weaken the vessel and the focus of the Operational Diving Team (ODT) will now be on the containment area where the oil tanks are located.'  Part of their plan, according to the city, is to mitigate further altering of the coastline by means of erosion and eliminating further oil spills and containment of marine life.  'The established Joint Task Team has put in place contingency measures to deal with potential oil spills and contamination of marine life,' assured the city.

Congestion surcharge in Beira
6 March 2013

United Africa Feeder Line has announced that they will be implementing a Congestion Surcharge of US $225 per TEU at the port of Beira due to poor performances, berth waiting time (of up to two weeks) and operation disruptions.  This surcharge will be operative with effect from March 1, 2013 (Bill of Lading date) until further notice, on all trade lanes to and from the Port of Beira.

Indian Ocean Naval Symposium newsletter launch
4 March 2013

Chief of the South African Navy, Vice Admiral Johannes Mudimu will launch a newsletter for the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) at the Naval Mess, Pretoria.

Liquid bulk terminal acquisition in South Africa
1 March 2013

Oiltanking GmbH, Grindrod Ltd and Calulo Investment (Pty) Ltd will, through their South African joint venture associate company, Oiltanking Grindrod Calulo (Pty) Ltd (OTGC), enter into an agreement to acquire the business of Grindrod Tank Terminals a division of Grindrod South Africa (Pty) Ltd.  In so doing, OTGC adds a liquid bulk terminal in Durban and Cape Town to the global network of Oiltanking.

Record offshore diamond recovery off Namibia
18 February 2013

According to figures released by De Beers for the year ending 31 December 2012, Debmarine Namibia produced a record 1.1 million carats offshore despite adverse weather conditions.  This represents an increase over the 1 million carats mined in the previous year.

Innovation and research agreement
11 February 2013

Transnet and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) signed an agreement that will see the two working to identify possible areas of cooperation in all areas of Transnet's operations. These areas include port, rail and pipeline operations. 

Agulhas on its way home
10 February 2013

South African Safety Authority's own polar training ship Agulhas has set sail from one of the remotest places in the world, Crown Bay, which lies on the edge of Antarctica, and is heading home to Cape Town where it will arrive on Tuesday, February 12.

Acreage expands global explorer's footprint offshore Africa
23 January 2013

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) announced that its subsidiary, Chevron Morocco Exploration Ltd, signed petroleum agrreements with Morocco's Office National Des Hydrocarbures Et Des Mines for three offshore areas.  The areas encompass approximately 11.300 square miles (29.000 square kilometres) with average water depths ranging from between 330 feet to 14 700 feet (100 metres to 4500 metres).

Nigeria to crack down on illegal marine activity
18 January 2013

In an effort to eliminate illegal marine related activities in Nigerian waters, the Nigerian Port Authority has mandated that all Ship to Ship and Ship to Rig tanker transfers must be performed within Nigerian designated areas. 

SDRL - Seadrill receives term extension for semi-submersible
17 January 2013

Tullow plc has exercised its contractual option to extend the contract for the ultra-deepwater semi-submersible rig West Leo by two years from May 2016 to May 2018.  The West Leo is expected to carry out operations in West Africa until the end of its contract in May 2018.

Richards Bay terminal equipment boost
17 January 2013

A R140 million, general bulk ship-loader procured for the Port of Richards Bay is the latest addition in Transnet Port-Terminal's (TPT) R33 billion Market Demand Strategy (MDS) investment programme.  Custom-built to compliment the terminal's operational envelope, the loader was designed in Austria and built in China, however South African engineering company SANDVIK  has managed its entire procurement.

TGS commences 3D multi-client Seismic Survey offshore Liberia
16 January 2013

TGS has commenced acquisition of a 3D multi-client survey, Sunfish, which covers up to 7800 square kilometres of a highly prospective acreage in the Harper Basin, offshore Liberia.

Explosion shakes jetty near Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos
9 January 2013

On January 9 a massive explosion shook the MRS Jetty close to the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos.  According to local reports, the explosion involved a barge with PMS cargo berthed at the MRS Jetty/tank farm terminal adjacent to Nigerdock yard.  The cause of the explosion is currently unknown.

Another dredger delivered to Nigeria
07 January 2013

Another Damen cutter section dredger has been delivered to William Lloyds Co by Damen Dredging Equipment. This is the second dredger of this kind to be delivered to the company and will join its sister in dredging and deepening a stretch of the Niger River.

SA Agulhas departs for Antartica
07 January 2013

The SA Agulhas departed today for the Antartica as part of her involvement in Ranulph Fiennes' epic journey to cross the ice in Winter. The SA Agulhas I was chartered by Sir Ranulph Fiennes and his team to mobilise their equipment from London and transport them to the beginning of their journey to attempt a winter crossing of the Antarctic. The vessel is also due to meet the team in 2014 after they complete their epic challenge.