Stacking space is becoming increasingly limited
THE CHAOS caused by last week's storm in Cape Town could have been far, far worse, say Portnet spokesmen. This was after a 20 000 ton oil rig, the South Seas Driller broke free from its moorings and cut a path of destruction across the Ben Schoeman dock late last Wednesday afternoon. In its wake lay five ships dented, damaged and holed, although once the initial shock was over it became apparent to port authorities, salvors and contractors that they had been very lucky indeed.
Not that the owners of three fishing trawlers and two container ships will agree. The P&O Nedlloyd City of Cape Town took damage on three of its six propeller blades and the Safmarine container vessel Mbashi had one of her fuel tanks ruptured below the waterline, causing a small quantity of fuel oil to spill into the harbour. Workers were able to transfer remaining fuel from the damaged tank. Neither ship has been able to sail as per schedule.
After taking on the heavies the rig drifted across onto the three trawlers, holing one of them, the Yukoshi Maru No.5 and causing surface damage to two others, the Lymph and the Sudden Harrier before ending up at rest against berth 604. Portnet tug crews were able to secure lines aboard the rig and hold it in this position for the night.
The rig had broken free of its moorings as a result of a gusting 120km/h south easter. Reports suggested that harbour workers had downed tools because of the rising wind, but Port Captain John Woodend said that no-one was to blame. "Put this down as an act of God," he said. There were no injuries.
* The latest report from the port of Cape Town warns of a slow-down in services as a result of the prevailing conditions.
The Mbashi was drydocked on Monday (February 15) as she was holed below the waterline.
All containers on board the vessel will be discharged and stored in the port, which will impact negatively on the terminal and cartage operations.
In effect, the container terminal remains windbound and stacking space is becoming increasingly limited.
The port has detailed its contingency plans as follows:
- Terminal landside operations will still service cartage.
- Certain exports are being stopped to prevent landside congestion.
- Vessels will be worked out of seniority sequence to prevent congestion in stacks.
- All land space will be optimised to accommodate containers.
- Cartage will operate as normal based on container terminal requirements and will be fully manned over the weekend.
From a marine perspective all Portnet resources which were actively engaged in securing the runaway rig are now performing normal shipping activities.
