MAERSK VALLVIK

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Repair works in Durban after storm wreaked havoc

After the storm was over, tugs of TNPA were able to secure the release of "MSC Ines" from the entrance channel without any reported spillage taking place. The container ship, however, appeared to have suffered serious rudder damage which will require repair before she can resume her voyage. On Oct 15 she was berthed at the City Terminal. More lucky was the tanker "Bow Triumph" whic grounded in the enclosed bay known as Island View after having broken from her moorings and being blown the short distance ashore on the sands off Salisbury Island. Fortunately the ship grunded on soft sand, and no breaches of the hull occurred. Also the "MSC Susanna" was taken to the City Terminal and berthed on the T-Jetty for underwater examination. After she had broken free of her moorings she came into contact with other vessels before the tugs got control. After the inspection the ship returned to the container terminal berth 108/9 where she was working cargo on Oct 15. The "SM New York", which had broken her moorings and went aground on a nearby sandbank where she stuck fast, completed her cargo working and has sailed on Oct 14, bound to Port Elizabeth, arriving off the port on Oct 15. At Island View the "Bow Triumph" was also working cargo, next being bound to Fujairah. Other ships which appeared to have received damage included the "Maersk Vallvik" which was currently at C berth at the Ro-Ro and MPT Terminal, and the French Navy frigate "Floreal" which was forced to delay the scheduled departure from port. The ship has suffered some severe denting along her starboard hull with slight denting or paint marks alongside the portside hull. With all navigable areas of Durban Bay having been surveyed and declared safe for navigation, shipping activity in the Port of Durban was able to return to normal on Oct 13, three days after one of the worst storms ever to hit Durban brought almost all outside activity to a halt. That they did so to a large extent successfully was to the credit of the marine staff at Transnet National Ports Authority. The marine crews comprising pilots and tug captains and crew at the port were meanwhile were praised for the professional and competent way in which they reacted to and handled an unexpected and highly unusual weather condition and emergency. The storm broke in mid-morning with sudden ferocity, bringing visibility to almost nil. Winds gusted to a measured 91 knots and between 100 and 200mm of rain in less than two hours fell across the southern parts of the city including the port. Parts of the quayside also took damage. Several premises suffered flood damage – one of these was Transnet School of Excellence which is situated near to Durban Container Terminal on Pier 2. Some cargo handling equipment belonging to TPT suffered damage at the DCT Pier 1 and Pier 2 terminals and damage to key cargo handling infrastructure were reported from the Bulk, Break-bulk and Car Durban Terminals. A total of eight Ship-to-Shore cranes and three RTGs - rubber tyre gantries - were damaged. Several containers were reported washed into the bay.