Modern vessels reduce load and discharge times

With more and more cargo being shipped for large oil and gas refurbishment projects in the West Africa oil and gas service sector, Cape Town is set to become a South African hub. Specialist West Africa breakbulk and project cargo operator, Safmarine MPV, believes it is well placed to serve this “high-potential” market. According to Cape Town-based line manager, James Lewer, the line has seen growing demand for South African companies to serve the West African oil and gas sector. “And Cape Town is emerging as a service hub because of its proximity to the market and because all the expertise needed to serve the sector – from shipping to freight forwarding/logistics to manufacturing – is present here.” He said that for Safmarine MPV, one of the biggest advantages of having all the main players in one location had been better and quicker decision making. “Furthermore, Cape Town’s growing prominence in this sector has also given us the opportunity to get even closer to the business and identify opportunities as and when they arise,” said Lewer. “It’s also becoming commonplace to see an oil rig at the port of Cape Town. We have been fortunate to be involved in a number of shipments serving the refurbishment of these rigs,” he added. Safmarine MPV offers a sixweekly service with a fixed call in Cape Town and is currently the only shipping line to offer a regular direct liner option for MPV cargoes out of Durban, with its growing manufacturing sector, into West Africa, said Lewer. “In this business you need vessels that are capable of simultaneously transporting a variety of cargo (eg, breakbulk, rolling stock, oversized cargo and containers) on a single voyage. You also need to provide a service that has the flexibility to go where the cargo needs are, on a voyage by voyage basis. “Because our modern, purpose-built MPV vessels have hydraulic hatch covers and shallow draught, we are able to engage in ship-to-ship transfers ‘on the roads’ or in ‘double-banking’ operations, if required." He says this is a particularly important requirement when shipping cargo to areas where there are no established shipping terminals and quays or where ports are congested. “It allows us to dramatically reduce the time required for load and discharge operations,” Lewer told FTW. The scale and nature of some of the cargo transported often involves heavy lifts and/or specialised rigging. “Safmarine MPV is able to ‘twin’ the cranes on board and offer heavy lift capability up to 146 tons with a spreader beam. “This operation is, of course, performed under the watchful eye of Safmarine MPV operational experts who ensure the lifting plan is properly and safely executed. In these operations we draw great benefit from the experience of the officers and crew on board who have vast West African port and shipping knowledge.” CAPTION 1 Risers being discharged for refurbishment. CAPTION 2 Refurbished risers being shipped from Cape Town back to the rig in Angola.