A SAVAGE, unrelenting south-easterly wind sandblasted Cape Town last week, causing lengthy delays, 180 hours in one instance, with six vessels diverted to other ports. More drama ensued when a fire broke out in the engine room of the shortcharter container ship MSC Cheneca after it sailed from Cape Town for the Angolan port of Luanda. The incident occurred off Saldanha and although the salvage tug Smit Amandla was called to assist, the fire was contained by the vessel’s crew, after which she proceeded on her voyage. An MSC official told FTW the MSC Cheneca was not a slot vessel but was “promised” a berth on Monday, February 4. This did not materialise as the berth was occupied by another vessel, delaying her for more than 180 hours overall. The wind started blowing in earnest on February 1, gusting to more than 110km/h at times, blowing empty containers at SACD and in the container terminal and abruptly putting an end to seaside and landside operations. Worse was to follow on February 6, 7 and 8 when gale force wind effectively knocked out operations for some 40 hours. Total wind stoppages for the month however stand at 70 hours. Mike Powles, acting planning manager at Transnet Port Terminals, says MSC Sheila was delayed for a total of 180 hours, of which 54 hours was due to wind. “The gods must be crazy,” remarked Powles as FTW’s deadline approached on Monday (February 11). The wind finally died down on the night of Friday, February 8, allowing normal shipping movements to resume.
