Download Newsletter 48 2011 - Towingline.com

12 TH VOLUME, NO. 48 DATED 04 DECEMBER 2010
Maclons said that SMIT
Amandla Marine was awaiting
the “imminent outcome of a
tender submitted to Kenmare for
vessel management services out
of Moma in Mozambique.” The
company also assisted Kenmare
with the drydocking of the
general cargo vessel Sofia III
(2136-gt, built 1978) in Durban.
He added that SMIT Amandla
Marine has been actively
pursuing growth opportunities
in Namibia, Madagascar and
Mauritius, “supported by a
proven logistics chain and ability
to transfer skills and competencies in our chosen markets,’ he said. Maclons explained that the
company had tabled a growth strategy at the end of 2009 which outlined its intent to pursue
business opportunities in Southern and East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, whilst maintaining
key contracts in South Africa. The strategy was intended to address the risk of possible loss of South
African Government contracts – identified as a concern as early as 2008 – and ensure sustainability.
In respect of SMIT Amandla Marine’s continued presence in South Africa, the company successfully
tendered for two significant PetroSA contracts. These are for the provision of a South Africanmanned
DP II vessel for PetroSA’s F-O Field Development Operations in 2012 offshore of Mossel
Bay, and for the management of PetroSA’s Marine Loading Facility and E-BT terminal at Mossel
Bay. The DP-II vessel will be the offshore tug and supply ship Peridot (2,464-gt, built 2010), with a
contract commencing in 2012. She will be manned by a fully South African crew. In addition in
November the Level 3 BBBEE company introduced a new vessel into its terminal operation in
Durban for its client Sapref. The SMIT Amandla pusher tug Siyakhulu (469-gt, built 2009), joined
the Smit Siyunda in early November in support of operations at the SBM offshore of Durban. SMIT
Amandla Marine was more recently in the news in September after successfully refloating the
grounded tanker Phoenix off Sheffield Beach near Durban on behalf of the South African Maritime
Safety Authority and the National Department of Transport – for whom it is an official service
provider. Vessel chartering and offshore support activities were buoyed this year by significant
contracts with WesternGeco, Namibian Marine Phosphate and provision of services to Total’s FPSO
USAN. The company holds the 2011 National Business Award for ‘Diversity in the Work Place’ –
backed up by its position as the leading employer of black South African seafarers with a diverse and
representative workforce. Permanent employees are shareholders in the business through an
Employee Trust which owns 12% of the company and realised dividends in April 2011 with a
payout to all beneficiaries. “Despite a global economic recession, we have been able to maintain a
steady investment in our people and the communities in which we operate and have successfully
established a talent pipeline to ensure sustainability in competence and skill,” said Maclons. “The
pursuit of safe operations and continued service excellence remain key drivers, as is the continued
development of a sustainable pool of SMME and black owned suppliers. We are well positioned for
the future and for whatever challenges may come our way into 2012 and have achieved success in
addressing business risk,” he said. (Source: Ports & Ships Maritime News; Photo: Terry Hutson)
4/24