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Southern Africa
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SHIPPING NEWS |
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incorporating: South African
Shipping News and Fishing Industry Review
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FROM THE EDITOR... -Nov 2004 Issue |
A trade journal such as SA Shipping News is
responsible for reporting about all activities
in the shipping industry. It is not in the
interest of such a publication to
“sensationalise” copy despite what some
organisations and individuals might think, but
rather to report the news in such a fashion that
it informs, in some cases makes readers aware of
the real status quo, and draws attention to
positive events.
So it makes us mad when we are excluded from
reporting opportunities such as the NPA / ship
repair industry workshop held in Cape Town
earlier this month. “It’s supposed to be hush
hush,” we were told. Why? Nobody was willing to
provide us with the answer so we can only assume
that the piper is whistling a tune to try and
keep the rats from deserting the sinking ship.
By the way, our KZN correspondent attended a
similar workshop in Durban which we heard of
through another source. He wasn’t invited but he
was not rudely asked to leave either. In fact
his report on ship building activities in his
city is buoyant.
This issue provides an update on local
activities aimed at capitalising on the
lucrative oil and gas industries further north.
Saldanha has been identified by an international
company as the most suitable location to build
steel structures destined for West Africa,
starting as early as January 2005. There is no
room for excuses now - will the port authority
put its money where its mouth is? Another
international company is bringing a few of its
drill ships to Cape Town. It represents a
significant injection of cash into the Western
Cape economy but the warning is not to try and
take them for a ride. Local contractors should
remember that the customer is king.
There has been a lot happening lately. Maritime
accidents came under the spotlight at the annual
MAIIF conference, the fourth and last corvette
was delivered to the SA Navy, ships have been
named and anniversaries have been celebrated.
With the festive season on the horizon, all some
of us want to do is to sail away into the
sunset. What better way to spend your holiday
than aboard the RMS St Helena – now there’s a
thought!
Enjoy the festive season and Happy New Year.
Cover story
The first of four coastal patrol vessels was
handed over to the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism this month.
The 47 metre Lilian Ngoyi was built by Farocean
Marine who was awarded the contract in 2002 to a
design by Damen Shipyards of The Netherlands who
Farocean Marine represent in Africa.
Our journalist was onboard the Lilian Ngoyi
during her last sea trial in Table Bay where she
was put through her paces and the vessel’s top
speed of 25 knots was tested. |
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