New vessel gets TransNamib on track

TERRY HUTSON THE BELUGA Emotion, Beluga Shipping GmbH’s latest heavylift specialist project cargo vessel, called briefly in Durban recently to take bunkers en route to Walvis Bay with a cargo of Chinese-built diesel electric locomotives and tanker wagons for TransNamib Rail. The brand new 12 782 dwt ship was built in China where she also loaded her special cargo following a function on the quayside attended by a Namibian delegation headed by President Sam Nujoma. The 138m long by 21m wide heavylift multi purpose vessel can also carry up to 665 containers. Bremen-based Beluga Shipping was founded in 1995 and already owns a growing and impressive modern fleet of ten ships designed for project cargo, with another eight on order. While in Durban South African agents Mainport Africa Shipping organised a small function on board the vessel to officially 'welcome’ her to southern Africa.