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Drydockingnof Floating Crane 2009-02-16

Floating Crane – Inkunzi

The vessel is currently undergoing its two-yearly dry-docking and lay up and will only be available towards the end of March 2009. The Marine office can be contacted to confirm that all work has been successfully completed prior to accepting bookings for the period immediately following the repair.

Heavy Lift Restrictions at Maydon Wharf 2008-12-12

Please adhere to memo and take this into your consideration when planning heavy lifts/abnormal cargo on your vessels.

Please note that all heavy lifts and use of Mobile cranes on Maydon Wharf berths shall be approved by the Port Engineer or his representative before commencement of works.

2008-09-15

Due to the maintenance turnaround at Sapref, a batch of straight run MFO has been produced (about 6000t). This needs to be supplied as bunkers to ensure the continuity of the bunkers supply.

2008-08-20

From 15 September 2008, bunkering vessels by pipeline at NP101-103 will cease.

We anticipate that by that date, there will be three barges operating in the port that can do MFO deliveries: Southern Venture (Unical), LiPuma (Smit Amandla Marine) and Smit Energy (Smit Amandla Marine).

Floating Crane Durban Capacities 2008-08-14

Crane Capacities Indlovu 200 tons up to 10m reach
140-170 tons up to 16m reach
60 tons up to 25m reach

Bunker Tanker "Southern Venture" 2008-08-08

Unicorn Calulo Bunker Services had announced that their Durban based Bunker Tanker, Southern Venture" is ready for active service from 07:00 on 8 August 2008.

A lot of time and hard work had gone into this project.

Black Egret 2008-08-08

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the Black Egret will now be supplying AGO (Gas Oil) to the marine industry as well as offering Slops / Oily Waste removal.
They are also able to supply Marine Lubricants to the industry.

Private Crane Barge Arriving 2008-07-22

Private crane barge will be arriving within the next two months in Durban. The highly reliable crane which has excellent lift ratings and precise load control is planned to be on barge the AEGIR30 which would then be able to be towed throughout the port.

Increase of stowaways in Durban Port 2008-05-15

On 1 May at Maydon Wharf 11, 4 Tanzanians were discovered in hiding on the Safmarine Lisbon by Stowaway Search Dogs. The stowaways were disguised as stevedores to pass security officials and had tied coke bottles filled with water to their backs and hidden under their overall to avoid being noticed.

Cape Town container terminal expansion 2008-05-09

Cape Town's R4.2 billion container terminal expansion programme is in progress which is expected to double the capacity of the terminal and the construction of a deeper terminal with new quay wall suitable for Super Post Panamax cranes which are to replace the old ship-to-shore cranes.

International crew to replace Danish crewmembers 2008-02-14

AP Moller-Maersk will begin to replace 200 Danish crewmembers on board Danish flagged container and tanker ships with international crew. Only chief stewards and ratings will be replaced.

SA Winterberg to be scrapped 2008-02-14

SA Winterberg, 3,102-TEU container ship built in France between 1977 and 1979 is to be scrapped. It is one of the four 'Big Whites' of Safmarine fame.

Arrival of the Dredger Gefion R at Cape Town 2008-01-23

The arrival of the Danish flagged dredger the Gefion R on the 07 January 2008 to start her contract with Transnet for the deepening of Cape Town Container Terminal four berths. The object is to increase the four berths draught to 15.

Newly Appointed SAMSA CEO 2008-01-23

Effective 1 January 2008, Mr Tsietsi Mokhele has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of SAMSA

Port Elizabeth Marine Working Hours 2006-12-19

PORT ELIZABETH NPA MARINE SERVICES WORKING HOURS

Please be advised that Marine Operations will be available until 22:00 on the 24th of December 2006.

On 25 December a morning shift from 06:00 to 14:00 will be available.

Maydon Wharf Working Hours - Festive Season 2006-12-11

Maydon Wharf Terminal in Durban has advised their working hours for the 2006 Festive Season as follows:

24th December 2006 : work finishes at 14h00
25th December 2006 : no working
26th December 2006 : 06h00 - 18h00 shift - extra charges on overtime
31st December 2006 : work finishes at 14h00
01st January 2007 : no work
02nd January 2007 : normal working

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Mainport Africa for assistance

Cape Town MPT Working Hours in December 2006-11-27

Please find below the working hours for the Cape Town Multi-purpose terminal over the Festive season

Day Date Shift Pattern
Saturday 16 December 2006 08H00 to 16H00, additional time on request
Sunday 24 December 2006 08H00 to 16H00, additional time on request
Monday 25 December 2006 Terminal Closed

Tuesday 26 December 2006 08H00 to 16H00, additional time on request
Sunday 31 December 2006 08H00 to 16H00, additional time on request
Monday 1 January 2007 Terminal Closed

All/any additional working requirements must please be discussed with the your Terminal Manager.

Cape Town - Port Bunker Services 2006-11-23

Please be advised that JBS Cape Town will close at 07h00 on Monday the 25th December 2006 and reopen at 07h00 on Tuesday the 26th December 2006. This will allow each of the three shifts some time off over the festive period.

Richards Bay - Festive working hours 2006-10-11

The Festive working hours for Richards Bay Multi Purpose Terminal (MPT) have been announced.

The MPT will be closed for cargo working as follows:
Close Sunday 24 December 2006 at 14h00
Reopen Tuesday 26 December 2006 at 06h00

Close Sunday 31 December 2006 at 14h00
Reopen Tuesday 2 January 2007 at 06h00

Richards Bay MPT gets new Equipment 2006-10-02

The first six of 11 new 8 ton forklifts has arrived at the Multi Purpose Terminal in Richards Bay.

The balance of 5 machines are due to arrive towards the end of October 2006

Durban Habour Widening - port closures 2006-10-02

The following port closures have been set in order to carry out the geotechnical drilling required for the widening of the Durban port.

14/15th October
21/22nd October
28/29th October

The times are subject to change, however, are planned for between 17h00 and 07h00 on two of the dates, and 17h00 to 09h00 on the third date.

Cape Town Floating Crane iNkuzi 2006-09-29

The floating crane iNkuzi will not be operational for the following minimum period:
Start: 07h00 Thursday, 16th November 2006
End : 16h00 Sunday, 17th December 2006

The vessel will be undergoing it’s annual lay up and dry docking during this period. Please consult the Marine office to verify that all maintenance and surveys have been successfully completed before accepting any bookings scheduled for the period immediately following the lay up period.

Local Refinery back in Production 2006-09-28

The shortage of marine oil fuel appears to be almost over as South Africa's largest oil refinery, the Shell/BP Sapref refinery near Durban is back in production.

The refinery has just reopened after a two month maintenance shutdown.

Durban Floating Crane to dock 2006-09-21

The Durban floating crane "Indlovu" has to dock for emergency repairs on one of the propulsion units. The crane will dock from 16 October 2006 to 20 October 2006.

Durban Floating Crane - "Indlovu" 2006-09-15

Please be advised that the floating crane "Indlovu" will be unavailable from 30 October to 03 November 2006. The floating crane will be going into drydock for repair.

Richards Bay, Gottwald Crane 2006-08-30

Gottwald crane is currently out of commission and will be available by 12 September 2006.

Sapref's Island View Maintenance 2006-07-10

Sapref’s Island View maintenance department needs to install valves on the MFO pipeline on the 11th July 2006. For this activity they will need at least 8 hours from 08h00-16h00.

New Fruit Terminal for Durban 2006-01-09

The launch of a specialized Fruit Terminal at the Port of Durban is expected to significantly boost the export of sterilized citrus to Japan. This new Terminal was constructed at a cost of R61.

Disaster Averted as Oil Gushes into Port of Durban 2005-12-12

The Port of Durban experienced its largest ever oil spill at the end of October 2005 when an estimated 80 tons of bunker oil leaked from the damaged container ship Doria.

The Ocean Africa Container Lines vessel went aground temporarily off Angola during October, suffering bottom hull damage, but was able to be refloated and returned to Durban under its own steam for repairs.

RBCT Gets Ready For Take-Off 2005-12-11

The Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) is set to invest R1.1 billion in an expansion programme aimed at increasing coal exports by 20 million tonnes annually to 92mt per annum.

NPA Pilot Chopper Plunges Into The Sea 2005-11-09

The NPA Management and staff are saddened by the death of
Simon Khitsane, a Flight Engineer from Welkom in the Free
State. Khitsane lost his life when the Augusta A109 helicopter
plunged into the sea while lifting an NPA Pilot, Ashwani Pathak,
off an outgoing vessel at the Port of Richards Bay on 3
September 2005.

New Quay For The Richards Bay Coal Terminal 2005-11-08

The construction of a new quay for the Richards Bay
Coal Terminal has commenced in earnest. Dredging is
being carried out by a consortium comprising Basil Read,
Sivikule, Bhodwe Construction and a Dutch company,
Van Oord.

New Marine Notice for ISPS Clearance 2005-10-20

To view the following information, please download the document by clicking on the link. ISPS document

Rail Tariff Adjustments 2005-09-19

Spoornet, local rail operators, will be adjusting their tariffs with effect from the 01st October 2005. We are expecting these to increase by 1,5%.

BOOST FOR PORT INFRASTRUCTURE 2005-06-24

With Government’s announcement of a R40.8bn investment in
the South African ports and railways infrastructure, some
exciting developments are taking place at the SA ports.

18th WORLD PETROLEUM CONGRESS 2005-06-24

For the first time in its 72-year history, the biggest meeting of
the world’s oil and gas industry, with over 5 000 participants,
will be held on African soil – a fitting tribute at a time when
the continent’s influence on the world’s energy industry has
never been greater. The 18th World Petroleum Congress will
run from 25 – 29 September 2005 at the Sandton
Convention Centre (Johannesburg) and will be hosted by
Petro SA of South Africa and co-hosted by by NOC Libya,
NNPC of Nigeria, Anglo’s Sonangol and the Algerian
Sonatrach.

MARBURG VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER IN ANGOLA 2005-04-20

Due to the outbreak of Marburg Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF), this Office requests the co-operation of the Harbour Masters Office (Port Control and Signals) in ensuring that no vessel, which has not applied for free pratique be allowed access into the Port of Durban. This is necessary in order to ensure that all crew and passengers on all vessels entering the Port of Durban are healthy and that they do not display any signs and symptoms of Marburg VHF.

Lines drop Durban congestion surcharge 2005-04-14

At least three major lines have dropped the port congestion surcharge at the Port of Durban on all the trades. Maersk Sealand is to drop the contentious surcharge from May 1 after recent monitoring at Durban has seen the 16-hour average delay almost achieved.

CANADIAN WEIGHT RESTRICTION 2005-04-05

There is currently no rail service between Montreal and New York. Road Haulage will be utilised for containers under 19 tons with heavier cargo being re-directed via another port.

SHIPMENTS TO NIGERIA 2005-04-04

SONCAP Certification

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have launched their Conformity Assessment Programme to protect Nigerian consumers from unsafe and sub-standard goods and ensure that Nigerian manufacturers are not subjected to unfair competition from such goods. Intertek has been appointed as worldwide agent to operate under this programme.

Currency Adjustment Factor - South Africa Trade 2005-03-18

Further to a Notice of 18th February, ESAC Lines wish to advise the present
relative values of currencies versus the tariff currency (US Dollar) make it
regrettably necessary to re-introduce a Currency Adjustment Factor.
Accordingly, a CAF of 8.

Singapore brings in new dangerous goods rule 2005-02-18

New DG regulations came into effect in the Port of Singapore on Januayry 31. The Martime and Port Authority (MPA) has replaced the previous regulations with a revised system based on IMO classes and UN numbers.

New regulation for import of wood packing material in Turkey 2004-11-19

As from 1 January 2005, Turkey will implement the regulations of the import of Wood Packaging Material.

All wood packaging materials entering Turkey must follow the following requirements:

- Wood packing materials must be stripped of bark
- Must be heat treated or fumigated with methyl bromide
- Wood packaging materials must also be marked in accordance with ISPM 15 standards

If the wooden materials do not comply with the above the cargo will be destroyed, fumigated, heat treated or returned to the original port of loading.

DURBAN’S ENTRANCE CHANNEL PROJECT IS ON TRACK 2004-11-15

The project to widen and deepen the Port of Durban’s entrance channel is on track. Part of the project entails the removal of caissons to be completed by April 2005.

JC/MJL/8601 - DURBAN ENTRANCE CHANNEL UPDATE 2004-10-13

The Port of Durban entrance channel widening and deepening project is progressing. The sub-project, which entails the removal of the caissons, has now started and the proposed completion date is April 2005.

JC/MJL/8520 - Immigration Rules - Stowaways 2004-09-13

The attached correspondence has been received from the Department of Home Affairs, and will be placed on the Agenda for the next Joint Meeting.

Durban port mouth to be widened. 2004-09-01

With the level of congestion currently experienced at the Port of Durban, the National Ports Authority of South Africa is planning to widen and deepen the harbour entrance channel.

Currently the movement of vessels in and out of the port is limited to one direction at a time.

New R200-million cranes for Durban's Container Terminal. 2004-09-01

Efficiency at the Port of Durban’s Container Terminal should soon improve following the arrival of three giant gantry cranes from Italy at the port
on 9 August.

The fully-assembled structures, each with a mass of 1 000 tons, sailed into the Port after completing an epic journey of some 6 900 nautical
miles astride a specially designed semisubmersible vessel sailing at about 10 knots.

Port to be closed for Geotechnical Drilling. 2004-08-26

NPA has given early warning of the proposed two 36 hour closures of the port entrance channel for carrying out geotechnical drilling. The following dates / times are forwarded for your information.

Yellow Fever vaccine costs. 2004-08-26

Fees for the Yellow Fever vaccines has increased to R180 and the call out fee is R300 per vessel.

Flammable Substances at the Durban Container Terminal 2004-08-26

With effect 1st September 2004, the Durban Container Terminal will require that any trucker calling to collect /deliver a container with flammable substances must produce the original certificate / a certified copy of the original certificate before being loaded.

For you guidance all of the following IMDG classes require a certificate to be transported:

IMDG class 2.

DURBAN PORT ENTRANCE WIDENING DEVELOPMENT 2004-08-12

On 10 Aug the Durban Harbour Master has advised prior to any entrance widening development, plans for the service tunnel between the City and Bluff has to be tabled. These plans include core drilling in the entrance channel, four of which core drillings can only be done by shutting down the port to vessels arriving or sailing.

SAMSA NOTICE 2004-06-30

Marine Notice No. 19 of 2004: Pre-arrival information is now required from foreign passenger ships, cargo ships of 500 or more gross tons and mobile offshore drilling units on international voyages bound for South African Ports.

MFO supply to Tanker Basin 2 .CAPE TOWN 2004-06-23

Please be advised that the MFO pit at Tanker Basin 2 is out of commission with immediate effect. No MFO bunkers are therefore available at Tanker Basin 2 until further notice.

ANGOLA NOTICE 2004-06-08

Please note that the Luandan Customs and Port Management have issued the following instructions:

Imco or Dangerous Goods must be manifested seperately fm the normal cargo manifest

All cargo documentation is to be submitted to Customs by the Agents
72 hrs before the vessels arrival or penalties will be applicable

No Dangerous Goods are to remain at the terminal or in the port
area. Receivers must take immediate delivery by direct discharge from
vessel to receivers trucks

Discharge Agents are to be informed no less than 8 days prior to
vessels arrival in Luanda to ensure that receivers prepare the correct
clearance.
Full Story

230 TON Floating Crane "Indlovu" booked for dry docking. 2004-05-05

The floating crane "Indlovu" has been booked for her biennial dry docking. The original dates given were 22nd April 2004 to the 7th May 2004.

New Bridge Planned for Durban 2004-04-28

Traffic congestion in Maydon Wharf has led to the NPA and Durban City to spend jointly a total of R70 million to build a new bridge that will allow easy access into the port. The 240-metre bridge will join Bayhead Road to Sidney Road and will straddle the railway lines and southern freeway.

New Security Requirements 2004-04-21

From shipowners to port operators, the world's shipping industry is working to meet the deadline for another set of security requirements introduced in response to the 2001 terrorist attacks in the US.

The fear remains that ships could be used to transport equipment or explosives that could be used in terrorist attacks on port cities.

Cape Town Floating Crane 2004-04-07

Please be advised that from Monday 21 June 2004 till Thursday 24 June 2004 the Floating Crane 'INKUNZI' will be undergoing load testing and will not be available for heavy lifts.

NPASA Port Tariff Increase 2004-04-07

To note the national port authorities of south africa have increased their
port tariffs wef 1 April 2004.

Increases as advised by the port authorities are noted as follows-

- port and berth dues 3,0%
- vts and other sundry services 3,0%
- marine services 10,9%
- ship repair facilities 10.

Port Health Charges - South Africa 2004-04-02

Port Health has indicated that they will shortly commence raising charges for their services at Cape Town. You will all have previously seen communication on this subject, as the charges are already being applied in Durban and Richards Bay.

Floating Crane 'INDLOVU' at Durban 2004-03-11

The floating crane at Durban is scheduled for docking from 22/04/2004 to 07/05/2004. For all enquirys or additional information, pse contact our Operations Department at ops@mainportafrica.co.za

LMIU COMPANY RESEARCH 2004-02-25

Mainport Africa Shipping has recently been appointed the South African Representative for Lloyds Marine Intelligence Unit.

LMIU are the worlds leading provider of Commercial Intelligence for the Marine and Energy markets.

SAPO Tariff Review 2004-02-23

South Africa Port Operations have advised of a 6% increase in their Container Tariff with effect from 1 April 2004. For further information and tariffs, pse contact our offices.

Plans afoot for major investment in reefer handling 2004-02-20

Fresh Product Terminals, the country's largest portside handler of export fruit, has submitted a proposal to parent body Capespan to outlay some R356 million on expansion and improvements over the next five years.
The major component, around R190 million, will go toward moving the entire Cape Town infrastructure over to the container terminal area within the next three to five years.

Port plan starts to Gel 2004-02-20

The Port of Durban has purchased three top-of-the-range container
cranes to address capacity constraints at the Container Terminal. The
three Liebherr cranes from the Port of La Spezia (Italy) are able to
handle the largest container vessels in existence (i.

Re-Opening of MFO Pipeline at Durban 2004-02-18

Please note that pressure testing to the MFO pipeline serving Island View berths 7, 8, 9, 10; New Pier 100 to 107; and Container Terminal 108 to 205 is now complete and the line has been recommisioned for bunker deliveries. To ensure we displace all air from the line, initial bunkers will be delivered at a reduced rate to prevent exposing the line to pressure shocks.

Closure of MFO Pipeline at Durban 2004-02-11

Please note that the MFO pipeline serving Island View berths 7, 8, 9, 10; New Pier 100 to 107; and Container Terminal 108 to 205 will be closed for MFO bunkers from 07:00 on Monday 16 February to 16:00 on Wednesday 18 February 2004.

The reason for taking the MFO line out of service, is to allow for statutory pressure testing of the line to be carried out.

Bunker Barge at Cape Town 2004-02-09

The barge 'M/T Stanley' which is now available for gasoil deliveries in the port of Cape Town.

Please note that the M/T Stanley is an independent, JBS approved barge & not contracted to Caltex Oil S.

The Millenium Tower at Durban 2004-02-05

For the first time Vessel Tracking Management and all other functions of the National Ports Authority is housed on one, purpose-built building. This has brought about significant improvements in the standards of navigation safety and the quality of service delivered at the Port of Durban.

Mainport Africa Website Relaunch 2004-02-02

After months of development, the new Mainport Africa Shipping website was launched today. The site is intended to breach the gap between us and our clients, allowing fully interactive access to our resources as well as providing a wealth of information about the company.

MAS at Oil and Gas Expo 2004-01-30

Mainport Africa Shipping will be present at the Oil and Gas expo in Cape Town, South Africa held from 9-11 March 2004. On display will be some of the company's .