Cape Town to host world harbour masters' meeting

Terry Hutson
CAPE TOWN will host hundreds of port captains and harbour masters from around the world when the National Ports Authority (NPA) welcomes the 3rd Congress of the International Harbour Masters' Association to the city next month.
The theme of the congress will centre on port safety and includes contentious matters such as the refusal of authorities to allow ports of refuge to ships in distress.
This particular issue was highlighted recently when several ships sank off the coast after being denied access to a South African port because of fears of an ecological disaster. The most recent of these include the notorious Treasure that sank within sight of Cape Town causing a massive spill of fuel oil that resulted in the world's largest sea bird cleanup programme; the grounded bulker Ikan Tanda off Scarborough which was eventually freed but later sank; and another bulker Bismihita'la that was scuttled off the west coast. All three ships became total losses after being refused entry to a South African port.
Captain Eddie Bremner, harbour master of Cape Town, said that holding the congress offered the unique opportunity of meeting with colleagues from the northern hemisphere and was an honour for Cape Town. The conference is being held at the Cape Town Holiday Inn from May 13 - 17.