Ray Smuts CONTAINER TERMINAL operations were halted and some vessels delayed for 20 or more hours as a vengeful south-easterly wind pounded the Cape Peninsula over the weekend. It was, to quote deputy harbour master Karl Otto, much like a domino effect; one delay caused another. By sunrise on Monday (November 3) at least four container ships lay at anchor, and although the terminal was working, Otto reported the weather prognosis looked none too promising with more blows later in the day expected. “The wind played havoc with everyone, blowing up to 60 knots, and the container terminal was out for much of the weekend with only a gap on Sunday afternoon when some ships managed to come and go.” Among the fortunates were the MOL Triumph and MSC Lauren which sailed within 30 minutes of each other. The SA Helderberg docked on Sunday afternoon followed a few hours later by the Sam Ratulangi, but the MOL Malta, which also arrived Sunday afternoon and was due in at 02:00, was still in Table Bay at mid-morning on Monday as her allocated berth was still occupied by the Safmarine Letaba. The MSC Sabrina arrived at 23:00 on Sunday but was also awaiting her berth on Monday morning as was the MOL Oueme which arrived at 20:15 on Sunday. Off Green Point lay the Ever Golden which arrived at 06:00 on Monday.
