Tag: SAMSA

Wreck removal of grounded fishing trawler, FV Elke-M underway in St Francis Bay: SAMSA

Pretoria: 27 November 2024

Work on the removal of the last batch of loosened parts of the wreck of the fishing trawler, FV Elke M, that ran aground near St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape in January 2024, has resumed, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) confirmed at the weekend.

According to SAMSA, the removal of the loose steel parts of the vessel began on Thursday last week and continues this week.

Resumption of the work, halted since May 2024 due to a hostile wintry weather characterised by strong winds and huge waves along the Cape of Good Hope Ocean corridor, began last week following the completion an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under Section 30 of National Environmetral Management Act (NEMA) by an expert environmentalist and scientist, Dr Warwick Sauer, of the faculty of Ichthyology and Fisheries Sciences at Rhodes University.

The EIA findings of Dr. Warwick, as reported by SAMSA, indicated that the reduced steel structural portion of the vessel, which was left on the coastline at Shark Point, near St. Francis Bay, had since firmly settled on the rocky shoreline at a much faster rate than had been anticipated. The steel was divided into three parts.

The grounding incident of FV Elke M, a Port Elizabeth registered 376-ton (gross) fishing trawler, measuring 33 meters in length and eight (8) meters wide, with a deadweight tonnage of some 194 tons, occurred on a late Saturday evening on 06 January 2024, on a rocky coastal area of the Cape coast in the Eastern Cape some two kilometres southeast of St Francis Bay.

Within hours of the incident, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) assisted in the secure evacuation of all 22 crew members aboard the vessel.

Salvage work was initiated shortly thereafter to reduce and remove the vessel’s 35 tons of marine fuel and approximately 2000 litres of lubricating oil. Subsequently, in May 2024, after additional evaluations of its disfigured and torn bare structure, which was divided into three sections, it was determined to be temporarily safe during the stormy winter months that began that month.

A further EIA was conducted in June 2024, followed by the most recent one on whose basis the first phase of the wreck removal has now started.

Mr Nick Sloane

In the intervening period, according to the vessel owner’s insurance company, P&I representative, Mr Nick Sloane, to ensure safety of life and the nearby environment, a services provider procured by the vessel owner’s insurers remained posted to monitor the vessel remains’ condition.

The monitoring company also collected debris found in the area, and most of which, Mr Sloane said, did not emerge from the bare and broken structure of the FV Elke M. The vigilance would continue through to February 2025 by which period much of what remains of the wreck will possibly have been completely removed.

On Thursday, in the presence of SAMSA Southern Region Principal Officer, Mr Thandimfundo Mehlo, the wreck removal team utilised a helicopter to lift and dispose of loose steel parts of the wreck that were ripped off its skeletal structure by the pounding of sea waves during the winter months.  

This blog chatted briefly with Mr Sloane to establish how far the work has gone, the challenges encountered as well as his impression on the state of readiness of South Africa’s maritime community for incidents of this nature. For his views, Click on the video below.

End.

South Africa’s Parliament ‘pleased’ by SAMSA’s work, and pledges more resources’ support.

Cape Town: 18 October 2024

South Africa’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport has expressed its pleasure and satisfaction with the work of the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), even as the entity is hard pressed to jack up its boots to enhance levels of safety in the country’s waterways for both life and property at sea.

The positive rating on SAMSA’s performance over the past year was expressed by the Committee’s chairperson, Mr Selelo David Selamolelo during a scheduled oversight visit of and meeting with the entity’s management leadership on Saturday, 12 October 2024 in Cape Town.

Said Mr Selamolelo; “The maritime space is very important for economic emancipation, but also for moving, generally, the economy of the country…… emerging from this meeting with SAMSA, we are pleased and happy with the work that they are currently doing, even as there are areas that they must improve on, especially those relating to contracts management, and transformation.”

SAMSA’s management leadership for the occassion comprised members of its Board of non-executive directors led by its chairperson, Mr Mahesh Fakir, SAMSA executive management led by Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms Mbalenhle Golding; in the presence also of the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa.

SAMSA Board Chairperson, Mr Mahesh Fakir
Left to Right: Transport Deputy Minister, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa with SAMSA Board Chairperson, Mr Mahesh Fakir
SAMSA Chief Financial Officer and Acting CEO, Ms Mbalenhle Golding

The meeting took place at SAMSA’s Cape Town based Centre for Sea Watch & Response (incorporating the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre) and which in 2024 has had to deal with a significantly higher number of maritime incidents compared with recent years, involving both transnational cargo vessels traversing across South Africa’s three oceans along a 3 200km coastline, as well as commercial fishing vessels; and from some of which incidents, in both caterogies, regrettably, life and property were lost at sea.

Regarding cargo vessels, incidents in the 2024 calendar year mostly involved ships losing containers at sea – with one eventually grounded on the west coast – all reportedly due to southern Africa’s adverse weather conditions this year. Among some of the cargo vessels’ incidents, in some instances, loss of crew members overboard were reported.

On the other hand, incidents related to commercial fishing vessels also involved no less than four of these, through either grounding (one in January in South Africa’s south east coast) or sinking (three in South Africa’s south west coast area over the last few months – with one resulting in a loss of 11 seafarers.

The spate of maritime incidents at South Africa’s oceans this year increasingly becoming a concern even at highest government level, five days prior to the portfolio committee on transport’s oversight meeting with SAMSA management leadership on Saturday, deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Hlengwa had also had a special meeting with SAMSA’s executive management, also in Cape Town.

This was for a briefing on among other issues, the progress being achieved in the salvage of the wreck of a general cargo ship, the MV Ultra Galaxy, that’s currently underway on South Africa’s west coast since its grounding in early July.

In Cape Town on Saturday afternoon, emerging from the SAMSA management leadership meeting, and another with South Africa’s Ports Regular management team, Mr Selamolelo said the committee was not merely pleased and happy with SAMSA’s performance for the period under review, but also pledged the committee’s full support for the resourcing of the country’s maritime safety authority.

He said: “Coming out of this meeting is that we, as the Portfolio Committee on Transport, may have to find a way to give more support in terms of resources to SAMSA because they are doing a lot of work in terms of ensuring safety in our waters.”

For his full remarks during a brief interview with this blog, please click on the video below.

Prior to the portfolio committee on transport meeting in Cape Town on Saturday, both the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Hlengwa, and SAMSA management leadership, led by Board chairperson, Mr Mahesh Fakir, and Acting CEO, Ms Mbalenhle Golding, paid a courtesy visit to the Nelson Mandela University based South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) two days earlier (Thursday, 10 October 2024).

The visit was the new deputy Minister’s first to the institution, for his briefing and an exchange of notes on progress being achieved by the Department of Higher Education funded SAIMI with maritime skills development, as well as about challenges in the training and education sector requiring mutual support, cooperation and collaboration.

VISITING SAIMI: (From Left) SAMSA CFO and Acting CEO, Ms Mbalenhle Golding, SAMSA Board Chairperson, Mr Mahesh Fakir, Transport Deputy Minister, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa and SAIMI CEO, Mr Odwa Mtati.

The event, which encompassed a tour of SAIMI partners’ related maritime skills development projects located at the Nelson Mandela University, capped this year’s maritime transport sector focus as part of the annual October Transport Month campaign by the Deparment of Transport nationally.

For a comprehensive coverage, involving both remarks shared by earmarked officials on the stage as well as brief interviews with the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Hlengwa and SAIMI chief executive officer, Mr Odwa Mtati, and a brief tour of a maritime related technology skills development facility at the NMU, click on the videos below.

Brief Interview Remarks:

Transport Deputy Minister, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa
SA International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) CEO, Mr Odwa Mtati

On Stage Remarks:

Nelson Mandela University Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation & Internationalisation, Prof Azwindi Muronga
SAMSA Board Chairperson, Mr Mahesh Fakir
Transport Deputy Minister, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa

Closing Remaks

End

Search on for containers lost overboard off South Africa’s Indian Ocean: SAMSA

Pretoria: 03 September 2024

Brief interviews with SAMSA ship surveyor, Ms Mbali Mbonambi and 2OPIC official, Mr Vishal Pragraj while on aerial search for containers recently lost at sea on South Africa’s Indian Ocean coastline.

A search for cargo containers lost overboard off a number of vessels along South Africa’s Indian Ocean corridor over the last month continues, while two of the vessels most recently affected – the MV CMA CMG Belem, currently in the port of Ngqurha, and the MSC Antonio, now safely berthed in Cape Town – continue with their onboard cargo loads adjustments.

This is according to the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in a statement on Monday afternoon and in which it confirmed the safe arrival of the MSC Antonia at the port of Cape Town.

The vessel – a container ship sailing under the flag of Liberia – was the latest reported to haved suffered bad wintry weather conditions along South Africa’s Indian Ocean corridor leading to a loss of as many as 40 containers overboard, and for which a navigational warning has since been issued, along with a public call to report any sightings of the containers along the country’s eastern seaboard.

In the statement on Monday, SAMSA reported that the MSC Antonio had safely arrived in Cape Town on the day following an incident on 28 August 2024, during which severe weather conditions led to the loss of 46 containers overboard and damage to 305 containers on board.

“The incident occurred approximately 29 nautical miles northeast of Port St. Johns while the vessel was en-route from Colombo to New York. In light of the container loss, a navigation warning has been issued to all vessels operating in the affected area.

“The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) urges all maritime operators and the public to exercise caution. We request that any sightings of containers or debris along the South African coastline be reported immediately to local authorities or SAMSA by contacting the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at 021 938 3300 with the position, number, and colour of the containers if observed,” said SAMSA

The MSC Antonio incident followed shortly after the CMA CMG Belem also docked for a safe berth at the post of Ngqurha a few days earlier, having reportedly lost close to a 100 containers overboard due to bad weather, in an area adjacent Richards Bay on the KwaZulu-Natal provincial coast line.

The Malta-flagged CMA CGM Belem cargo vessel at shelter in Algoa Bay, near Gqeberha, Eastern Cape province, South Africa on Sunday 18 Augusts 2024; after losing numerous containers at sea in the Indian Ocean on Thursday evening. (Photo. SAMSA)

At the time, SAMSA reported that the CMA CGM Belem, a container ship sailing under the Maltese flag, encountered severe weather off the coast of Richards Bay on the night of 15 August 2024, resulting in a significant stow collapse and a loss of 99 containers overboard.

The vessel, which measuring 336 meters in length, 51 meters in height, and a draft of 14.8 meters, had initially sought refuge at Maputo Bay but was redirected to Gqeberha.

On Friday last week, the ship’s insurer representatives in South Africa launched a five hour aerial surveillance and search for the vessel’s lost containers after several sightings of floating containers along the Wild Coast area of the Eastern Cape province were reported to SAMSA.

One of as many as 19 containers spotted at sea in an area along the Transkei Wild Coast during an aerial search on Friday last week (Photo: SAMSA)

However, during the search, while about 20 containers could be spotted by the search team in a fixed wing aircraft, it could not be readily established that any belonged to the CMA CGM Belem.

That notwithstanding, a SAMSA representative that was part of the aerial search team said in a brief interview that it remained important that action be taken to locate any containers still floating in the ocean area in the interest of safety of life and property at sea, as well as environmental protection.

On Monday afternoon, SAMSA confirmed the issuance of a navigational warning to vessels traversing the ocean area, as well as a public appeal for reports of any sightings of floating containers.

Said SAMSA: “Efforts are ongoing to search for the lost containers. The safety of the crew, the vessel, and the environment remains our top priority. SAMSA wishes to remind the public of the potential and unnecessary danger that may arise from attempting to salvage any wreckage that may wash ashore.

“We strongly urge the public to avoid handling any debris and instead contact the authorities, who will arrange for the safe salvage and disposal of the wreckage.”

In Cape Town, the MSC Antonia would undergo a comprehensive assessment and necessary repairs, said SAMSA adding that: “Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew, and the ship was able to continue its voyage safely despite the incident.

“Further updates will be provided as the situation develops and more information becomes available.”

End

Satisfactory progress made with salvage work on grounded general cargo vessel off South Africa’s west coast: SAMSA

Pretoria: 25 July 2024

With adverse weather conditions over the western part of South Africa having slowly subsided over the past week, salvage work on the grounded Panama-flagged cargo ship, MV Ultra Galaxy, beached in a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean coastline near Duiwegat, has gathered pace, reports the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA).

However, with predictions of more severe weather conditions again this weekend, projected at Level 6 (an Orange Warning denoting a major cold front characterised by damaging winds and high ocean water waves) from Sunday through to Tuesday next week, according to the South African Weather Services, this may have negative impacts on the progress being made.

In a media statement update on Thursday, SAMSA said crucially, the immediate emergency phase of the salvage operation central to which was the search and recovery of flotsam and other debris from the ship, and sealing the fuel tanks to prevent any oil from spilling into the ocean; had been successfully conducted.

SAMSA reported: “Salvage work on the grounded Panama-flagged cargo ship, MV Ultra Galaxy, is continuing at pace. The vessel ran aground on the evening of Tuesday, the 9th of July 2024, off the coast of Duiwegat, just south of Brand se Baai on the West Coast.

“The ship was abandoned by its crew of 18 Filipino seafarers after developing an excessive list. The crew is now safely back in the Philippines.

“The immediate emergency phase of the salvage operation has concluded. This phase included the search and recovery of flotsam and other debris from the ship and sealing the fuel tanks to prevent any oil from spilling into the ocean. A new salvage company, Smit International, has since been appointed to carry on the next phase.

“On Tuesday, (23 July 2024) dive inspections were conducted to recheck the structural integrity of the ship and fuel tanks. In the coming days, a specialized monitoring system will be installed to track the ship’s movement, stresses, and bending moments. This system will help determine the best method to safely bring the ship upright and remove it from the beach.

“Additionally, a bathymetric survey is being conducted in the water surrounding the ship and further off the coastline. A Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) will be brought in and anchored offshore to help stabilize the ship,” SAMSA said.

SAMSA also repeated its plea to the public exposed to the geographic environment of the casualty vessel, both on and offshore, to exercise caution in interaction with debris and related material flowing from the area.

Said SAMSA: “Members of the public on the West Coast, from Brand se Baai to St Helena Bay, are requested to look out for any debris that may wash up on the beach, such as cargo bags, steel hatch covers, and other flotsam. Any findings should be reported to SAMSA through the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) at 021 938 3300 or 012 938 3303.

“The public is also advised not to attempt to salvage any debris themselves. It is important to properly dispose of any debris to minimize harm to people and the environment.

“The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) remains on standby, ready to respond should an oil spill occur, and seabirds become affected.

“The Panama-registered MV Ultra Galaxy (previously known as Thor Galaxy and Thorco Galaxy) is a 124.56-meter-long general cargo vessel built in 2008. At the time of its distress call, she was en route to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania,” said SAMSA, adding that where necessary, further details will be shared as they become available.

End

National Oil Contingency Plan roadshow heads for KwaZulu-Natal: SAMSA

Pretoria: 31 May 2024

South Africa’s state of readiness for effectively managing marine pollution, but particularly in the event of major oil spills in its oceans waters and adjacent inland waterways comes under focus once more this year, this time in Durban over two days next week, reports the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

The KwaZulu-Natal provincial leg of the two-day roadshow, on Tuesday and Wednesday (04-05 June 2024), scheduled for the Durban port’s ‘N-Shed’ is the third of its kind in recent months at cities on South Africa’s 3200km coastline, with an estimated 200 people expected to participate from across the public, private and non-governmental institutions.

Among these will be private sector representatives of national and regional marine services providers including African Marine Solutions (Amsol), DRIZIT, SPILLTECH, environmental groups including Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and SANCCOB, SAMSA and Transnet, as well as among others, representatives of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) and Department of Transport (DoT), which is tasked with ensuring South Africa’s general preparedness for marine pollution prevention.

According to SAMSA: “The Department of Transport (DoT) has a legal responsibility of providing and fulfilling statutory obligations towards marine pollution prevention response of the Republic of South Africa’s coastline of more than 3 000 kilometres in terms of powers provided in the Marine Pollution (Control and Civil Liability) Act 6 of 1981, Marine Pollution (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 2 of 1986 and in the Marine Pollution (Intervention) Act 64 of 1987.

“The Marine Pollution (Control and Civil Liability) Act 6 of 1981 states in its preamble the Act aims: “To provide for the protection of the marine environment from pollution by oil and other marine harmful substances, and for that purpose to provide for the prevention and combating of pollution of the sea by oil and other harmful substances; to determine liability in certain respects for loss or damage caused by the discharge of oil from ships, tankers and offshore installations; and to provide for matters connected therewith”.

However, says SAMSA; in ensuring that requirements of the legislation are properly, consistently met and advanced, also assists the country in discharging diligently its international obligations in terms of its memberhip of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) with regards implementation of provisions of related conventions, but specifically the the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

“MARPOL is the main international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from operational or accidental causes,” says SAMSA of a duty and responsibility precisely assigned it by the State in terms of its legislated mandate, under the DoT.

In Durban next Tuesday and Wednesday, focus of the event led by the IMOrg – a virtual organisation chaired by the DoT and SAMSA as the co-chair and secretariat – will be primarily on the revised National Oil Contingency Plan.

IMorg is South Africa’s preparedness forum for joint Government and industry response to oil spills within South Africa’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of approximately 1.5-million km² across the Atlantic, Southern and Indian Ocean.

Proceedings will comprise two phases, a townhall type presentation encompassing familiarisation of attendees with the approved NOSCP inclusive of the Marine Oil Pollution Prepared Response and Cooperation (OPRC) Bill, a Durban and Richards Bay ports contingency plan, as well as the Wild Oceans – Oil Spill Modelling and Mapping of the Ecologically Vulnerable hotspots model.

The presentations, beginning at 9am each morning, will then be followed by an onfield demonstration of pollution combating and wildlife protection equipment, says SAMSA.

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Small Sailing Vessel Rescue: Commendable Skipper’s Distress Preparedness

SAMSA file photo (For illustration purposes only)

Pretoria: 27 May 2024

The skipper of a small sailing vessel that went aground at the weekend after it took water following a reported collision with an object at sea near the Wild Coast has been praised for his  alertness and ‘distress preparedness’ which led to the successful evacuation of all four sailors.

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA ) Centre for Sea Watch & Response located Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) in Cape Town says the incident occured on Friday evening while the small sailing vessel, named Tipsy; was sailing in the Indian Ocean along the Wild Coast.

“MRCC Cape Town was notified at 19:15 on 24 May 2024 by Telkom Maritime Radio of a MAYDAY call from the sailing vessel (SV) TIPSY while on listening watch.The SV reported to have hit a submerged object, and the craft was sinking fast.

“The skipper reported that the four (4) persons onboard were abandoning to life raft and had activated the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). The incident position was reported to be 500 meters east from Rame Head on the Wild Coast.

“Following a MAYDAY Relay broadcasted by Telkom Maritime Radio, as requested by the MRCC, SV ZING had diverted to assist from a position approximately 03 hours from the distress position. NSRI Port Edward had also launched to assist and was approximately 2.5 hours from the distress position.

“MRCC Cape Town was notified during the early hours of 25 May that NSRI Port Edward had recovered all four (4) persons from the life raft and were returning to Port Edward. No injuries were reported.

“It was also reported that the TIPSY did not sink, it ran aground on a sand bank. The necessary Coastal Navigation Warning was issued by the Hydrographer.

“Three (3) of the persons received hypothermia treatment in an ambulance after they arrived at Port Edward.

“MRCC Cape expresses appreciation for the efforts of SV ZING, NRSI EOC and Station 32 (Port Edward), Port Edward EMS, and Telkom Maritime Radio for their contributions to the successful outcome of this SAR response. The distress preparedness of the SV TIPSY Skipper is commendable as are their actions in contributing to their rescue,” said the MRCC Cape Town.

End

Search for 11 missing fishermen called off, incident investigation underway: SAMSA

Pretoria: 19 May 2024

A search and rescue operation for 11 crew members of a sunken fishing trawler in the Atlantic Ocean about 34 nautial miles from the nearest coastal land area has been called off, with an investigation of the incident now underway, says the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

According to a SAMSA statement on Sunday, the search for the missing crew ensued on Friday afternoon after a distress call was received by the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) based at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch & Response in Cape Town, and during which a fishing trawler, FV Lepanto, reported to have taken water rapidly and was sinking fast.

SAMSA says at the time of the incident, the FV Lepanto, a 35 meters long and 7.5 meters wide fishing trawler registered in South Africa, had a crew of 20 fishermen onboard, and nine (9) of whom were soon located floating at sea nearby, and evacuated to Cape Town.

Soon after the distress call was received by the MRCC and broadcast back to other vessels at sea in the area, a number of vessels nearest to the casualty vessel, at a location of approximately 35 nautical miles in the Atlantic Ocean west of Slangkop Point in the Western Cape, joined the search and rescue operation.

The search continued through the rest of Friday into Saturday, involving at least four assigned fishing vessels in the vicinity, as well as a fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter dispatched from Cape Town. Late on Saturday, debris thought to be from the stricken and sunken trawler was spotted, however sadly, no sight of the missing crew was made, said SAMSA.

SAMSA said: “Following the sinking of the LEPANTO during the late afternoon of 17 May 2024 approximately 34 nautical miles west from Slangkop Point Light in Cape Town, rescue efforts continued for the 11 missing persons.

“The commendable efforts of the fishing vessels on 17 May, in the vicinity of the incident location, resulted in both a life raft recovered – one containing nine (9) survivors; and the other being empty.

“Unfortunately, even with the large number of vessels on-scene, none of the missing persons were found nor any undone life jackets.

“The MRCC Cape Town assigned search and rescue (SAR) patterns to the available craft, attempting to utilise the remaining daylight as best as possible. Unfortunately, no sighting of any of the 11 missing persons or even a life jacket was reported.

“A probable search area was developed by MRCC Cape Town in preparation for a night time search, and search patterns were assigned to the vessels. The MRCC was able to obtain rotor- and fixed wing resources through Aerios Global Aviation (AGA), with each aircraft were assigned a search pattern aligned with the capabilities provided. Unfortunately, no sightings were reported.

“The search continued in the morning of 18 May with a revised search area developed, and search patterns assigned to the vessels on scene. MRCC also tasked the AGA helicopter, which resulted in debris being spotted within the revised search area. The search continued for the remainder of the daytime without any other sighting reports.

“Those vessels remaining in the search area continued with their assigned search patterns until after sunset. A review of the search progression, the search efforts, and the continuous lack of sighting reports from the incident start, and the favourable weather, led the MRCC to conclude the SAR effort.

“MRCC Cape Town expresses its sincere appreciation of efforts and contributions from: Telkom Maritime Radio, South African Maritime Safety Authority, AGA, NSRI, the media, City of Cape Town, Viking Fishing, Sea Harvest, NSRI Stations 01, 03, 08, as well as the numbers of vessels that partook in the operation, namely FVs Lee-Anne, Locqueran, Haverst Florita, Haverst Umzanzi, Armana, Haverst Saldanha, Isabela Marine, Haverst Georgina, Haverst Cap Nord, African Queen, Umlobi, and Haverst Lindiwe.

“The loss of the 11 persons from the LEPANTO is most regrettable. MRCC Cape Town expresses its sincere condolences to the family members, friends, and colleagues of those lost to the sea.

End.

UPDATE: Search in Indian Ocean for seafarer fallen overboard called off: SAMSA

Image of the Chinese bulk carrier, M/V Rui Ming involved in a search for one of its crew members believed to have fell overboard in the Indian Ocean in the early hours of Friday. (Photo supplied)

Pretoria: 10 May 2024

UPDATE: 21h00

The search for a seafarer reported to have gone overboard a Chinese bulk carrier some 345 nautical miles in the Indian Ocean, south east of Durban, South Africa; has been called off, the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) Cape Town confirmed late on Friday.

This was after a few vessels joined the Chinese bulk carrier, the M/V Rui Ming from which the seafarer reportedly gone overboard was a crew member, assisted with the search to no avail, said the MRCC Cape Town.

Late afternoon on Friday, the MRCC said: “MRCC Cape Town had released all the other vessels, except the MAERSK TAIKUNG, to continue with normal sailing operations after sunset in the search area at approximately 16:30.

“A revised track search plan was provided to the MAERSK TAIKUNG and it was completed by approximately 20:00. Unfortunately, the crewman that had gone overboard was not found.

“MRCC Cape Town released the MAERSK TAIKUNG to continue with normal sailing operations. Our thanks to the vessels that had responded to assist, and to Telkom Maritime Radio for their communication assistance.

” The SAR case is closed.’

End

A search is currently underway in the Indian Ocean for a seafarer reportedly gone overboard at a location approximately 345 nautical miles south east of the city of Durban, South Africa, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has reported.

In a report, the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre (MRCC) based at the SAMSA Centre for Sea Watch & Response) in Cape Town said the incident came to light early morning on Friday after the interception of a distress call from a Chinese bulk carrier, the M/V Rui Ming; requesting assistance with a search for one of its crew members believed to have gone overboard.

“The South African Search and Rescue Organization’s Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre based in Cape Town (MRCC Cape Town) was notified by Telkom Maritime Radio around 06:00 on 10 May 2024 of a Man Overboard (MOB) reported by the Bulk Carrier RUI NING 21.

“It was established that the person was last seen up to 04 hours before the MOB was reported and it could not be confirmed that he was wearing a life jacket.

“The search area was defined as the track between the position of where the MOB was reported, approximately 665km east-south-east from Durban, and the estimated position of where the person was last seen given that the person could have gone overboard anywhere along that track.

“A request for vessel to divert and assist in the search for the person in water (PIW) was issued by Telkom Maritime Radio as requested by MRCC Cape Town. The motor vessels (MV) MAERSK TAIKUNG and CMA CGM GALAPGOS were requested to divert to search area. The car carrier RORO BESS, in response to the MAYDAY Relay, notified the MRCC that it had diverted to the search and was ready to assist.

“MRCC Cape Town assigned track-line search patterns to each of the four (4) vessels. The weather is forecasted to be wind Northerly up to 24km/h and sea swell of up to 2.5m.

“At present, no sighting of the PIW was reported, and the MRCC is investigating alternate search efforts,” said the MRCC Cape Town.

End.

It’s all systems go for bunkering services in South Africa: SAMSA

Pretoria: 05 May 2024

Ships bunker services provision in South Africa – inclusive of off-shore operations – is well on track, with applications, approvals and issuance of licenses currently being managed expeditiously, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has confirmed.

However, according to SAMSA’s Acting CEO, Mr Tau Morwe, operators have to ensure that they are compliant with requirements of SAMSA as well as both the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).

Mr Morwe made the confirmation on the status quo of bunkering services in South Africa during a day long maritime sector bunkering services roundtable meeting attended by about 80 people in Durban on Tuesday. (30 April 2024).

Representatives included industry principals, primarily ship owners and agents and some of whom are active bunkering services providers, state officials from Treasury, SARS, the Department of Transport, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, TNPA, Ports Regulator South Africa and SAMSA; ship-to-ship services providers and interested or affected parties – among them, environmental groups – as well as delegates from Mauritius, Mozambique and Namibia.

Mr Morwe’s remarks came in the wake of an apparent entrenching confusion or misunderstanding in the country’s maritime sector about the real state of bunkering services provision and administration, this coming in the wake of a clampdown by SARS on certain operators related to taxation issues during the latter part of 2023, as well as a ‘moratorium’ said to have been placed on the issuing of licences.

Flanked by Mr Mahesh Fakir, the chairperson of SAMSA’s Board of Directors, in his closing remarks of the gathering, Mr Morwe stated: “Where SAMSA stands is that applications for off shore bunkering, in terms of Section 21 (1) b (Prevention and Combating of Pollution of the Sea by Oil Act. 1981) is in process. Anyone can make the application.

“The TNPA and SAMSA are agreed on the continued processing of applications. However, in the processing of the applications, we remind applicants that we are not the only regulator, and they (applicants), have to tick the TNPA box, ensure that they are compliant with SARS. If that is in place, there is nothing preventing applicants or operators from conducting business. That is the state of affairs.”

“… there is nothing that says the business (of bunkering) is closed. I repeat, anyone wanting to apply for an operator license may do so. Tick the SARS box, tick the TNPA box!” said Mr Morwe.

For his full remarks, click on the video below.

Mr Tau Morwe, SAMSA Acting CEO making his closing remarks at the SAMSA organised Maritime Sector Bunkering Services Round Table Event held in Durban on Tuesday, 30 April 2024 .

Meanwhile, for a complete coverage of the SAMSA organised Maritime Sector Bunkering Services Round Table event in Durban on Tuesday last week, this blog captured as best it could the meetings’ proceedings as presented below. The only record unavailable, due in part to technology limitations, is that of regulators from Mauritius, Namibia and Mozambique who all were planned to make a virtual appearance online.

Key take-aways:

  • Bunkering along with related ship-to-ship transfers services have a long history in South Africa and remain a major business and economic opportunity for sustained expoitation, given the country’s almost perfect geolocation at the foot of the African continent, with an ocean space global shipping corridor that is equidistant between western and eastern countries.
  • With expansion of particularly bunkering services to off shore, notably in Algoa Bay since 2016, the regulatory domain has lagged behind for clarity, leading to disruption and confusion as evidenced by a 2023 SARS clampdown on some operators in Algoa Bay due to taxation related matters
  • The haitus has led to vast loss of business opportunity and income in the past few years especially since the break-out of strife and wars affecting major shipping lines in the Middle East and eastern Europe and which led to an increase in shipping traffic sailing along the Cape of Good Hope ocean corridor.
  • SARS related regulations are in the process of being finalised and should soon be operational.
  • Going forward, SAMSA, the TNPA and SARS are the key (but not exclusive) state institutions whose regulations operators – current or aspirant – must comply with.
  • Overall, there is an agreed need both by the relevant state institutions (SAMSA, TNPA, SARS, Ports Regulator, DFFE) and the private sector for closer cooperation and collaboration between the regulatory institutions, as well as about ongoing engagement and interaction with all stakeholders and interested parties in the maritime sector.
  • A commitment is reached that established forums in the bunkering subsector as well as periodic maritime sector and regulators roundtable meetings shall continue into the future.

In the package below, in the order of their appearance and presentations, first up are Welcoming and Opening Remarks by Mr Morwe and Mr Fakir respectively, in which they broadly outline the standpoint of SAMSA on the state of bunkering administration in South Africa.

Mr Tau Morwe, SAMSA Acting CEO making his welcoming remarks.
Mr Mahesh Fakir, SAMSA Board chairperson making his opening remarks.

Next are representatives of the Ports Regulator, TNPA and SAMSA on the status quo of bunkering services.

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) presentation
Ports Regulator SA presentation
South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) presentation

Following are representatives of the Treasury, SARS and the DFFE on “Government on bunkering risk, opportunities and enablement.”

Treasury Department presentation
South African Revenue Service (SARS) presentation
Department of Forestry, Fisheries & Environment presentation
Question & Answers Session 1

Finally, below – in no particular order – are representatives of industry (including the South African Association of Ship Owners and Agents (SAASOA), on their own individual and group perspectives, afterwhich a final Question and Answer Session ensues.

Mr Dan Ngakane, CEO of Amsol.
Mr Peter Besnard, CEO of SAASOA
Mr Kurt Theunis: Linsen-Nambi Bunkering Services
Mr Stuart Klapprott: MOL Chemical Carriers
Ms Nomkhitha Mbele: James Fisher Fender Care
Question & Answers Session 2

End.