It has been an interesting few weeks in shipping circles if the news in this issue is anything to go by.
Making headlines have been two major issues affecting the ports: the rolling power cuts in the Western Cape and the effect on all business activity; and secondly, the strike by Transnet workers reacting to the perceived heavy handedness the parastatal is employing in its quest to focus on its railway, port and pipeline business.
Also in the news was the acquisition of P&O Nedlloyd by AP Moller Maersk. The media, yours truly included, were invited to interview Flemming Dalgaard, MD of Maersk Line SA, now the world's largest container shipping line in the South African market, only to have the same interview summarily cancelled a few days later. The reason we were told, was that the less said the better.
Why? A marvelous opportunity was lost to promote the new company which was launched globally on 13 February. The absorption of P&O Nedlloyd affected many of its staff but for import and export customers the merging of the operations of the companies into Maersk Line means a greater choice of shipping lines operating in global markets. The acquisition also adds 162 vessels to its existing fleet of 387 and Maersk's global market share has increased from about 12% to nearly 18%, putting it well ahead of its rival Mediterranean Shipping.
And the media is expected to believe that this is not news? Which is why it was interesting that Jan Schenck from Maersk, one of the presenters at the Intermodal Conference in Swakopmund, bluntly refused to part with his speakers' notes… fortunately concise notes were taken anyway, and the bottom line is that if he has been misquoted, it is entirely his own fault!
It's this type of archaic attitude that makes it a relief that new international labour legislation for mariners was tabled at the 94th International Labour Conference. All that remains is for the Convention to be ratified by member states so that it can come into force.
Some other newsworthy bits and pieces concern the fate of the Canadian conservation vessel, Farley Mowat; the yacht Moquini and the maritime museum in Cape Town which by all accounts has lost all appeal. The SAS Amatola was handed over and commissioned and further afield, the new floating dry dock for Walvis Bay arrived on schedule.
As a matter of interest, we bring you a report on the state of the fruit export industry. The bottom line is, it seems, not to put all your apples in one basket. That farmers are facing tough times will have a ripple effect on export activity and prices, not to mention a loss of business for shippers.
In conclusion, we look forward to seeing you at Oil Africa 2006 which is being held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 22 to 24 March.. We have a stand there, please pass by and say hello. We would love to see you again.

Editor

Cover Story

DCD Dorbyl, the Cape Town-based ship repairer, recently completed a project to extensively repair the seismic research vessel m/v Geco Triton. The time frame was just three weeks and included removing and overhauling two Azimuth thrusters, two tunnel thrusters and the tailshaft; changing the propeller blades; repairing some shell damage, replacing two gensets; and overhauling and upgrading the main engine’s auxillary engines.
At the same time DCD Dorbyl took the opportunity to design and manufacture its own set of multipurpose docking blocks which were used in conjunction with the NPA blocks. See page 7 for the full story.