SA ports authority joins search for Umfolozi

THE South African National Ports Authority (NPA), which stands to lose R1,6 million if the container vessel Michael S is not located, has launched an international alert for the ship

.The 133-metre-long container ship Michael S (previously known as Umfolozi) disappeared from the Walvis Bay harbour on July 15 under mysterious circumstances. By yesterday, the Namibia Ports Authority (NamPort) said it still had no word about the vessel.A NamPort spokesperson told The Namibian that no news had been received on the Michael S and that the search was still on.”The situation is still as we said in our last press release last week.We will notify you of any developments as soon as they happen,” she said.The Walvis Bay Port Captain, Vladimir Gusev, has been suspended in connection with the incident.The Umfolozi was detained at the Walvis Bay harbour in June after the South African Ports Authority won a High Court order against Seagate Shipping, the company which bought the Umfolozi in January, for the damage done to the dredger Ingwenya during the collision last September.The Umfolozi and the Ingwenya collided in the Walvis Bay harbour, spilling about 100 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and diesel into the sea.Umfolozi, which was en route to Cape Town, crashed into Ingwenya, which was headed for Walvis Bay.At the time of the collision the Umfolozi was carrying some 335 tonnes of fuel oil.South Africa’s NPA said it had not given up on its bid to collect the R1,6 million in damages it is claiming from the owners of the Michael S.Peter Balfour, an NPA legal adviser for the port of Durban, was quoted as saying the authority would continue with its claim against the vessel despite the fact that the ship had escaped.Balfour also said the NPA, which manages South Africa’s eight major ports, was assessing its legal options.Durban newspaper The Mercury reported that Michael S could sail into any port except those in Namibia and South Africa without fear of arrest.This is because, although most countries do have laws allowing for a ship to be arrested, the NPA would first have to assess the laws of the country where the vessel docked, it said.Speculation had been that the vessel had drifted northwards from Walvis Bay.Angolan security forces were roped in to help with the search but the efforts have since come to nought.Cape Town-based Business Report quoted Mick Brophy, the harbour master of the Durban port, as saying it was impossible for a large ship to be stolen from a South African port.A vessel would have to be able to manoeuvre itself off a berth.Any vessel leaving the harbour without permission would be noticed immediately.According to NamPort, the Captain of the Michael S had requested permission from the Walvis Bay Port Control to conduct engine trials.Permission was granted.However, later in the evening on the same day, the Captain radioed Walvis Bay Port Control to report engine problems on the vessel, which was later discovered to be untrue.By yesterday, the Namibia Ports Authority (NamPort) said it still had no word about the vessel.A NamPort spokesperson told The Namibian that no news had been received on the Michael S and that the search was still on.”The situation is still as we said in our last press release last week.We will notify you of any developments as soon as they happen,” she said.The Walvis Bay Port Captain, Vladimir Gusev, has been suspended in connection with the incident. The Umfolozi was detained at the Walvis Bay harbour in June after the South African Ports Authority won a High Court order against Seagate Shipping, the company which bought the Umfolozi in January, for the damage done to the dredger Ingwenya during the collision last September.The Umfolozi and the Ingwenya collided in the Walvis Bay harbour, spilling about 100 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and diesel into the sea.Umfolozi, which was en route to Cape Town, crashed into Ingwenya, which was headed for Walvis Bay.At the time of the collision the Umfolozi was carrying some 335 tonnes of fuel oil.South Africa’s NPA said it had not given up on its bid to collect the R1,6 million in damages it is claiming from the owners of the Michael S.Peter Balfour, an NPA legal adviser for the port of Durban, was quoted as saying the authority would continue with its claim against the vessel despite the fact that the ship had escaped.Balfour also said the NPA, which manages South Africa’s eight major ports, was assessing its legal options.Durban newspaper The Mercury reported that Michael S could sail into any port except those in Namibia and South Africa without fear of arrest.This is because, although most countries do have laws allowing for a ship to be arrested, the NPA would first have to assess the laws of the country where the vessel docked, it said.Speculation had been that the vessel had drifted northwards from Walvis Bay.Angolan security forces were roped in to help with the search but the efforts have since come to nought.Cape Town-based Business Report quoted Mick Brophy, the harbour master of the Durban port, as saying it was impossible for a large ship to be stolen from a South African port.A vessel would have to be able to manoeuvre itself off a berth.Any vessel leaving the harbour without permission would be noticed immediately.According to NamPort, the Captain of the Michael S had requested permission from the Walvis Bay Port Control to conduct engine trials.Permission was granted.However, later in the evening on the same day, the Captain radioed Walvis Bay Port Control to report engine problems on the vessel, which was later discovered to be untrue.