Russian supply vessel converted to general cargo ship

RAY SMUTS
A FORMER Russian ‘ice-class’ ship that performed sterling work for the South African Navy as the supply vessel Outeniqua, has started a new life as a fully-converted general cargo ship, the Paardeberg.
Master mariner and salvage specialist Godfrey Needham of Offshore Maritime Services in the Mother City says the 14-year-old Outeniqua was sold by tender to a Cape Town company, Mertech Marine, toward the end of last year and delivered to the new owners in February.
“She never had any class certifications to operate as a general cargo ship and had to undergo an extensive and costly conversion for her new role,” says Needham, whose company also manages the vessel.
The Paardeberg recently loaded a mixed cargo of containers, steel, timber and other commodities in the port of Durban and then sailed for the east coast of Madagascar and Mauritius. She will then head either for Richards Bay or Durban before continuing onto West Africa.
“Not only does she have ro-ro capability but can handle heavy lift cargo up to 100 tons, accommodate 20 reefer boxes and 400TEU on or below deck,” said Needham.