Fuelling more than ocean-bound vessels

Topping up the tanks of oceanbound vessels may well be the mainstay of Cape Town-based SMIT Amandla Marine’s business, but it remains ever-cognisant of “fuelling” the sea-going aspirations of young South Africans. Since its formation in 2005, the black empowered company continues to invest in the country’s maritime sector, a commitment that is ongoing. Its bunker delivery service is confined to the busy east coast ports of Durban, South Africa’s largest, and Richards Bay, known equally for coal exports as is Saldanha for iron ore exports. The company operates two bunker barges in the port of Durban, the R60 million SMIT Lipuma, built in Durban in 2008, and the SMIT Energy (originally the Pentow Energy), double-hulled last year. The Richards Bay bunker barge, SMIT Bongani, was also double hulled and refitted in 2009. It delivers bunkers to vessels of all types, ranging from oil tankers to bulk carriers, cargo ships and cruise liners – what is effectively a 24-hour operation each day of the year. Spokesperson Clare Gomes tells FTW SMIT Amandla Marine has been in the bunkering business since 1996, prior to which ships would tie up at a special berth to take on fuels from a pipeline. Today no bunkering takes place via pipeline in the Port of Durban. The days of children left free to roam ports and stare in awe at towering cranes and imposing ships – and possibly develop a yen for a career at sea – are long gone, thanks to stringent security measures but interest has not flagged, with the country’s training schools reportedly very busy. SMIT Amandla Marine recently welcomed six new cadets, all from previously disadvantaged communities. Since the inception of the company’s Cadet Training Programme in 2001, over 30 cadets have successfully been trained.