Pretoria: 08 October 2024

Seafarers’ safety and welfare, right along with tight protection of the oceans environment have come under close focus in South Africa in October – a month dedicated annually to transport safety – all in the wake of several vessels incidents this year and during some of which both life and property were lost at sea.

South Africa’s deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa on Tuesday met with the executive management of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and members of the SOE’s Board of Directors in Cape Town for a briefing on, among other things; progress with the salvage of the grounded Panama-flagged cargo vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy, currently underway on South Africa’s west coast.

The grounding of the vessel in early July occured as the southern hemisphere’s wintry weather fully set in, characterised by choppy winds and rough seas, and amidst several other incidents recorded this year occuring along South Africa’s three oceans, from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Indian Ocean in the east.

The incidents – about 22 so far this year since January – included the sinking of no less than two fishing vessels, the FV Oceana Amethystone in April and the FV Lepanto in May both on the west coast- the latter with a sad loss of 11 lives.

These were preceded earlier in the year by the grounding of another fishing vessel on the Indian Ocean near St Francis Bay, the Elke M, and also followed by several other incidents involving both a handful of seafarers and more than 200 containers being lost overboard a number of cargo vessels.

In Cape Town on Tuesday, South Africa’s Transport Deputy Minister, Mr Hlengwa briefied by SAMSA management on the progress being achieved with the salvage work of the grounded vessel, the MV Ultra Galaxy and who wreck, now in three parts, is still partly submerged in a coastal area some 300 km north of Cape Town.

Also present for the deputy Minister’s briefing in Cape Town on Tuesday were Mr Michael Heads, MD of 2Opic and P&I Club representative, Mr Matt Moor, Chief Operating Officer and Head of Claims at Asia Pacific North Standard, Dr Sue Ware of ITOPF as well as officials of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment.

Mr Hlengwa heard that the MV Ultra Galaxy, a 124.56-meter-long general cargo vessel built in 2008, ran aground on the evening of Tuesday, 09 July 2024, off the coast of Duiwegat, just south of Brand se Baai on the West Coast.

This occurred just a day after the vessel, laden with fertiliser cargo from Europe and destined for Dar es Salaam in Tanzania was abandoned by its 18 member Pilipino crew after it had listed heavily while sailing south on the Atlantic Ocean a day before.

On its grounding, the initial effort by South African authorities as constituted by the country’s Incident Management Organisation (IMOrg) under the Department of Transport, focussed primarily on retrieving all cargo on board, consisting of the fertiliser as well as fuel on board.

However, this effort was virtually stillborn since just as soon as salvage started, it was immediately thwarted by extreme wintry weather conditions, leading to the fertiliser dissolving on exposure to sea water, and about 500 metric tons of low sulphur fuel and hydraulic oils spilling out and mostly washed ashore onto nearby beaches.

A clean-up operation that initially began with floating debris, ensued; expanding fully onto the oil and low sulphur fuel spill that was collected successfully for disposal.

Most recently, SAMSA confirmed that a tender process for the retrieval and removal of the wreck was already at an advanced stage of finalisation, after which the preferred services provider will be appointed to formally start with the work.

In his briefing of the Deputy Minister of Transport, SAMSA’s Board chairperson, Mr Mahesh Fakir, reiterated the entity’s full commitment to its legislated mandate of ensuring safety of life and property at sea and the protection of the marine environment, with critical focus on its safety mandate.

Crucially however, he said: “As we look into the future, we must ask ourselves, how do we sustainably fund and maintain the capacity to prevent such incidents in the future.” Also important, he said, was greater support and collaboration with both the maritime sector and industry as well as other state departments and entities.

Regarding the salvage of the MV Ultra Galaxy, he said the plan was to have both the wreck and removed and the affected natural environment rehabilitated to its original condition.

In response, Mr Hlengwa thanked both SAMSA, the DFFE and industry principals and experts for their continued keen involvement and contribution to the work of SAMSA, and by extention, that of the Department of Transport and government.

“It is our belief that together, we can promote South Africa’s maritime interests and contribute to a safer, cleaner and more sustainable oceans environment; and I invite you to engage with us with any ideas that you might have in order to take this work forward,” said Mr Hlengwa.

For their brief remarks, click on video below.

Philippines Ambassador visits SAMSA

Prior to the briefing of the South Africa deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Hlengwa on Tuesday, SAMSA’s Southern Region management in Gqeberha also hosted Philippines’ Ambassador to South Africa, Ms Noralyn Jubaira Baja for a courtesy visit that centred on strengthening of relations between the two countries with regards the safety and welfare of seafarers.

All 18 crew members of the MV Ultra Galaxy who were safely evacuated and expatriated were Phillipinos. In a brief interview shortly after the meeting, Ms Baja described the visit and meeting as a routine,intended primarily to firm up relations with SAMSA regional offices spread across South Africa’s coastline from Richards Bay in the east to Port Nolloth in the west, with a view to ensuring the safety and welfare of Philipino seafarers worldwide.

Her schedule in the city would also involve a visit of a vessel at Algoa Bay with Philipino crew members. For her brief chat, click on the video above.

End.