MBG denies arrest of first vessel

MBG Shipping, the fledgling new reefer service between South Africa/ Europe and West Africa, this week categorically denied its first vessel, Alioth, was placed under arrest prior to the inaugural sailing from Cape Town. At week’s end harbour master Captain Ravi Naicker told FTW the vessel was “under arrest” but supplied no corroborative details, which led me direct to MBG. My question to general manager, Pamela Yerushalmy, was whether Alioth is, or had been, under arrest. Her response was a categoric: “No”. She declined to entertain further questions. The sheriff of Cape Town, which usually effects ship arrests in such eventualities as unpaid repair, bunker or chandling bills, is not familiar with the name Alioth, a spokesman suggesting the “arrest” might have to do with monies owing to the National Ports Authority, landlord of the country’s major ports. Alioth has been in Cape Town for nearly seven weeks, lying outside the port for much of the time. But an NPA charge would become applicable for subsequent in-port dues. NPA procedure is for cash customers like MBG Shipping to settle their accounts before a ship is allowed to sail. MBG’s sole director, Ian Wicks, is on record that the new service will kick in no later than January 20. This issue goes to press on January 19.