Working Conditions Aboard the Lotus-A

On October 6, 2020, the container vessel DS Lotus encountered a serious fire incident while navigating toward Singapore from Nansha. As flames erupted in the cargo holds, the ship made an immediate decision to turn back, subsequently maneuvering outside the Singapore Strait and the Port limits until October 11. After several days of battling the blaze, the DS Lotus arrived at Singapore Raffles Anchorage, where firefighting operations continued. By October 15, the fire was successfully extinguished, enabling the vessel to safely dock at a Singapore container terminal, marking the end of a tense episode for the crew and salvors involved.

In a significant maritime transaction, International Far Eastern has successfully purchased a fleet of vessels in an enbloc deal valued at $100 million. This strategic acquisition includes a five-year time charter agreement with shipping giant Maersk, set to commence in the second quarter of 2020. The charter will see Maersk paying $19,000 per day for the use of the vessels, marking a noteworthy collaboration between the two companies in the competitive shipping industry.

In the aftermath of a devastating storm that swept through Durban, the harbor is now focused on recovery and repair efforts. The tugs from Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) successfully managed to release the container ship "MSC Ines" from the entrance channel without any reported spillage. However, the vessel suffered significant rudder damage and will need repairs before it can continue its journey. On October 15, "MSC Ines" was docked at the City Terminal for assessment and repair. In a fortunate turn of events, the tanker "Bow Triumph," which had broken free from its moorings, grounded in the soft sands of Island View, near Salisbury Island. Thanks to the soft terrain, there were no breaches to the hull, and the vessel is currently operational, working cargo before its next voyage to Fujairah. The "MSC Susanna" was another vessel impacted by the storm. After breaking free from its moorings and colliding with other ships, it was safely brought under control by tugs and subsequently docked at the T-Jetty for an underwater inspection. After clearance, it returned to its cargo operations at berth 108/9. Additionally, the "SM New York," which also lost its moorings and ran aground on a nearby sandbank, successfully completed cargo operations and set sail on October 14, bound for Port Elizabeth, where it arrived on October 15. At Island View, "Bow Triumph" is busy with cargo operations. Other vessels affected by the storm included the "Maersk Vallvik," currently situated at C berth at the Ro-Ro and MPT Terminal, and the French Navy frigate "Floreal," which faced delays due to damage along its starboard hull. The storm struck around mid-morning with unanticipated intensity, bringing visibility to nearly zero, with wind gusts measuring up to 91 knots and rain totals ranging from 100 to 200mm within two hours across southern Durban, including the port area. Following extensive surveys of navigational areas, Durban Bay was deemed safe for shipping activity to resume on October 13—three days after the storm. This restoration of normalcy is a testament to the prompt and professional response from TNPA’s marine staff, including pilots and tug crews, who efficiently managed the emergency under challenging conditions. The storm wreaked havoc on the quayside, with several structures, including the Transnet School of Excellence near the Durban Container Terminal, suffering flood damage. Damage reports also indicated that crucial cargo handling equipment sustained impairments at the DCT Pier 1 and Pier 2 terminals, as well as at various other terminals within the port. Notably, eight Ship-to-Shore cranes and three rubber-tire gantries (RTGs) were among the equipment affected, and several containers were displaced into the bay during the storm.