THE UNICORN Shipping bulker Kuiseb had a close call last week when she went aground on one of Beira’s notorious sandbanks after dragging on her anchor. The ship recently completed dry docking in China and carried a cargo of fertiliser back to Africa, making scheduled calls first at Durban to discharge some heavy equipment and then at Maputo to discharge the fertiliser before heading for Beira to unload the balance. Fortunately, with the advent of high tide later in the day, the ship was able to float off by herself and later moved to the outer anchorage to await arrival of divers from South Africa who made an underwater inspection of the ship. There was no apparent indication of damage or water ingress. Once the remaining fertiliser in the ship’s holds has been discharged at Beira Kuiseb is due to return to her normal duties, delivering salt from Walvis Bay to Richards Bay and frequently carrying a cargo of sugar on her return to Namibia.
