SA ports deny entry to pirate-proof vessels

Vessels equipped with antipiracy barbed wire coils are not welcome in South African ports. That’s according to a directive from the port authorities denying entry to any Pacific International Line (PIL) vessels equipped with these coils. The Singaporean-flagged carrier, operating several services between South Africa and the Middle East, is rightly concerned at the increase in Somali piracy attacks following the October 15 hijacking of its containership, Kota Wajar, 150 miles north of Seychelles. The vessel and crew are still in captivity. Planning to reinforce ships sailing along the East African coast for Durban and Cape Town, PIL considered it prudent to sound out Transnet in advance, ahead of the arrival of the first suchequipped vessel, Kota Hapas, on December 27. The request was immediately rejected by Cape Town harbourmaster, Captain Ravi Naicker, who advised chief harbourmaster Captain Mike Brophy: “Not acceptable. It will hamper cargo ships, tug and workboat manoeuvring and also send a negative message about South African ports.” To which Captain Tony Nicholas, master mariner and PIL South Africa’s Cape Town branch manager, responded: “As for projecting a negative message to the outside world, rather the opposite. That would be negative press for South African ports and the country in general.” Nicholas, arguing that Naicker had not “considered the matter objectively”, told FTW the coils would only protrude approximately 1.2 metres out of the shipside and, in his opinion, not cause any disruption. Naicker, supported by Brophy and Durban harbourmaster Captain Rufus Lekala, says the PIL matter was “discussed and considered objectively”, at a harbourmasters’ forum on November 18. Tony Deehan, PIL’s Durban-based operations manager, says: “I don’t quite understand what National Ports Authority’s problem is and Transnet is clearly not willing to help its customers.” Helmut Heitman, South African correspondent for Jane’s Defence Weekly and an independent military analyst, describes as “silly” Transnet’s stance. “If they do this sort of thing (refusing antipiracy equipped vessels), insurance rates will either increase or the lines will not come to South Africa any more.” Pointing to the increase in piracy attacks and hijackings – at least 34 vessels are currently being held for ransom – Heitman says unless something is done to deter the pirates, ships will have no option but to protect themselves. “The South African government has thus far flatly dodged any request to become involved in anti-piracy operations, displaying an attitude which suggests piracy is not our problem.”