Algoa Bay lifts tugboat requirement for bunkering large vessels

Vessels over 90,000 gross registered tonnes (GRT) will not be required to hire tugboats while bunkering in Algoa Bay for the next three months, shipping agent Sturrock Grindrod says.

PHOTO: Algoa Bay is adjacent to Port Elizabeth, one of the four main South African cities on the coast. Getty Images

The tugboat mandate has been lifted for a trial period of three months following a study conducted by South Africa Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). They assessed vessels above 90,000 GRT calling to bunker in Algoa Bay without tugboats standing by.

Going forward, large vessels will be prioritised for bunker deliveries upon arrival, and will have to depart soon after receiving bunkers.

These vessels will be granted a two-day weather window to bunker. Weather conditions will be deemed conducive when wind speeds are below 25 knots and swell heights are lower than 2 metres.

This will ease bunker restrictions for large vessels and expedite operations in Algoa Bay, a source says.

By Shilpa Sharma

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