The ceremonies involved in christening a vessel including the breaking of a bottle of liquid (usually wine or champagne) against the bow are steeped in tradition and well respected in the shipping community. Cape Town’s maritime society stepped out in style last week to celebrate just such an occasion when MACS Maritime Carrier Shipping christened the newest addition to their fleet, the M/V Golden Karoo. At some 200 meters long and 30 meters wide the general cargo vessel, with over over 37 000 tons dead weight and its crew of 24 under the leadership of Captain Bartosz Sobon, sailed into the Port of Cape Town earlier last week on its maiden voyage. In a ceremony conducted by the reverend Charles Lange, chaplain of the Mission to Seafarers in Cape Town, it was christened and named the Golden Karoo by Dr. Fiona Scheder-Bieschin, wife of MACS managing director Felix Scheder-Bieschin. “I name this ship Golden Karoo and may she bring fair winds and good fortune to all who sail on her and may God bless her as she sails the oceans of the world,” said Dr Scheder-Bieschin, who is also the godmother of the Golden Karoo. According to Felix Scheder- Bieschin, the Golden Karoo is a sister vessel of four ships and brings the company’s fleet stable to thirteen of which nine are owned. “Owning vessels is beneficial to companies such as ours because it allows us to streamline our operations, keep costs stable and invest in ancillary equipment,” Scheder-Bieschin told FTW. Each owned vessel also adds another two or three trainingberths, half of which will be offered to South African Cadets. He said the vessel that was built in China was adapted to suit the South African market and conditions. “We have tailored it to the specific needs and conditions of the South African service. The sixty ton cranes can operate separately for quick handling of containers, bulk or breakbulk cargo. They can also be combined in order to carry heavy lifts weighing up to two hundred and forty tons. Other features include an increased number of reefer plugs and multipurpose pontoons that can also be used as vertical cargo separations.” CAPTION The christening of the M/V Golden Karoo owned by MACS Maritime Carrier Shipping at the Port of Cape Town was a grand affair led by the reverend Charles Lange, chaplain of the Mission of the Seafarers.
