The Port of East London made history last week when it received its biggest visitor since the first vessels started docking at the Buffalo River harbour in 1873. The vessel in question, Zen Hua 20, “is equivalent to two and half rugby fields in length at 247.2 metres, with a beam of 41.2 metres,” according to a statement by Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). At 39 923 gross tonnage, the heavy load carrier required the assistance of three tugs as well as a pilot boat to guide it through the port’s quays. Port manager Sharon Sijako said safely docking the massive vessel required in-depth preparation that occasioned a site visit by the port’s pilot, Billy Rowe, who travelled to the Port of Ngqura to observe the vessel’s manoeuvring characteristics in preparation for its arrival. Last year a 220m sister vessel with a beam of 42.3m, the Zen Hua 8, also successfully docked at South Africa’s only river port. 2018 also recorded the docking of the MV Thermopylae, the widest car carrier and the first Hero Class vessel to visit East London. Despite the Post-Panamax roll-on roll-off vessel’s specifications, being 36.5 metres wide and weighing 75 283 tons, it was easily navigated through the port’s relatively narrow entry points. Sijako said East London’s navigational feats recorded in 2018 and last week had successfully put the port’s competencies to the test. The port’s corporate affairs manager, Terry Taylor, said the “last time we had a vessel that came close to the Zen Hua 20’s measurements was some 30 to 40 years ago when a ship of some 245 metres called on our port”.
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