Port of Richards Bay

MV Top Grace Stowaways Update

SAMSA detained the MV Top Grace from 17 April 2020 – 23 April 2020 in Richards Bay in order to conduct an investigation into circumstances surrounding two foreign national stowaways being forced off the vessel approximately 3 nautical miles off the coast of South Africa. After the successful conviction of the Master and Crew for attempted murder, who were released after payment of a fine, SAMSA was then able to proceed with its own investigation without compromising the South African Police...

http://www.sashippingnews.com/2020/04/27/mv-top-grace-stowaways-update/

Investigation Into The MV Top Grace “Stowaway” Incident

The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is working with the South African Police Services (SAPS) in the investigation of an incident on the 28th of March off the KZN Coast involving the MV Top Grace. The MV Top Grace is Panamanian Flagged bulk carrier.

The investigation follows allegations by two Tanzanian nationals that they were thrown overboard after illegally boarding the vessel while it was berthed at Durban harbour.

It is alleged that the two stowaways had boarded the vessel...

http://www.sashippingnews.com/2020/04/13/investigation-into-the-mv-top-grace-stowaway-incident/

New LPG Storage Tanks Arrive at Port of Richards Bay

Xin Lu arriving in Port of Richards Bay

The Port of Richards Bay welcomed the arrival of four new 5650-ton liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage bullets on Thursday, 12 September on board the vessel XIN LU.

The bullets are for the R1 billion, 22600-ton capacity mounded LPG facility which is being developed at the port by Bidvest Tank Terminals (BTT), a unit of the Bidvest Group. The terminal will store LPG on behalf of independent LPG specialist Petredec, which ships the fuel from the US and the Middle East.

Construction began in...

http://www.sashippingnews.com/2019/09/16/new-lpg-storage-tanks-arrive-at-port-of-richards-bay/

New Port Helicopters in Service

Nozipho Mdawe

Further to articles posted in Southern African Shipping News on 21 February 2018 and 26 April 2019, Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) two new port helicopters, manufactured by Italian global high-tech company, Leonardo, went into service on Saturday, 31 August 2019 at the Ports of Durban and Richards Bay.

The acquisition of new helicopters has been a priority for TNPA under the Transnet Market Demand Strategy and its fleet renewal programme, which seeks to improve operational efficiency...

http://www.sashippingnews.com/2019/09/02/new-port-helicopters-in-service/

Transnet Signs Acceptance of New Helicopters Due for Delivery Soon

Gianfranco Sottotetti, Head of Macro Region - Africa & Middle-East at Leonardo, and Nozipho Mdawe

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) recently held a signing ceremony with Italian global high-tech company, Leonardo, for acceptance of two new helicopters to service the Ports of Durban and Richards Bay. Leonardo has manufactured the AgustaWestland (AW 109SP) helicopters, valued at around R250 million, at its plant in Vergiate, Italy, and they are expected to be delivered to TNPA in South Africa by June 2019.

Leading the TNPA delegation at the signing ceremony held in Italy on 17 April...

http://www.sashippingnews.com/2019/04/29/transnet-signs-acceptance-of-new-helicopters-due-for-delivery-soon/

Cape Cruise Season Ends with Viking Sun’s Maiden Voyage to SA

Viking Sun

The cruise season has drawn to a magnificent close in both the Eastern and Western Cape with the state-of-the-art VIKING SUN calling at the Ports of East London, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

This was the vessel’s maiden voyage to the country and also the very first time that her Switzerland-based owner Viking Ocean Cruises has ever included South Africa on its global itinerary.

Flying the flag of Norway, VIKING SUN first arrived in Durban on Friday, 12 April. In East London on Monday, 15 April...

http://www.sashippingnews.com/2019/04/23/cape-cruise-season-ends-with-viking-suns-maiden-voyage-to-sa/

Iphothwe and Ukhozi Provide Emergency Assistance to Pipe-towing Tug

One of the 8 500m long pipes

Transnet National Ports Authority’s Port of Richards Bay marine operations team recently came to the aid of the MTS Vanguard tug, when it lost one of eight 500 metre long pipes it was towing along the South African coast en-route from Carolina in the United States to Kuwait in the Middle East.

The pipes, each weighing 360 tons, were being towed using a specialised towing bridle, when one pipe broke loose during adverse weather conditions.

TNPA Port Control received a request from Marine Technical...

http://www.sashippingnews.com/2019/04/11/iphothwe-and-ukhozi-provide-emergency-assistance-to-pipe-towing-tug/

Port of Richards Bay Floating Dock Receives Green Stamp of Approval

Thami Sithole

The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has given Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) Port of Richards Bay the green light to construct its long-awaited multi-million-rand floating dock infrastructure.

The new R1.4 billion floating dock facility, which will be located at the port’s Small Craft Harbour, forms part of the R4.4 billion capital investment plans announced by TNPA in 2017.

The consent from DEA followed a rigorous process, which included a series of specialised studies,...

http://www.sashippingnews.com/2018/10/31/port-of-richards-bay-floating-dock-receives-green-stamp-of-approval/

Port of Richards Bay Team Rescues Vessel

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) at the Port of Richards Bay, in collaboration with the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), successfully towed the tanker vessel MARLIN AZURITE after its main engine failed outside port limits, south of the breakwater on Thursday, 18 October 2018.

The 183m long ship was built in 2016 and registered in the Marshall Islands.

The towage operation commenced at 09h00 on Friday, 19 October after the port activated its Business Continuity Plan. No...

http://www.sashippingnews.com/2018/10/22/port-of-richards-bay-team-rescues-vessel/