SMIT Amandla Marine (Pty) Ltd announces new bunker barge to be built in South Africa

Sep 28, 2006
Author: SMIT Amandla Marine

The Directors of SMIT Amandla Marine (Pty) Ltd are proud to announce that a new, technologically advanced bunker barge will be built. This multi-million rand transaction follows successful negotiations between local specialist marine services company SMIT Amandla Marine and local ship builder DORMAC of Durban.

“In line with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial growth strategy, the new build project is an example of our commitment to the local economy”, said Mrs Manana Nhlanhla, Chairperson of SMIT Amandla Marine. “With the majority of our bunker barge activities located in the Port of Durban, it is pleasing to be able to contribute to local industry and to be able to employ South African expertise in the conceptualisation, design and building phases of this project, which complements our commitment to transformation and economic growth in this region”.

With the anticipated movement away from pipeline delivery specifically in the Port of Durban and new mandatory IMO marine oil pollution regulations, the local oil industry has echoed international trends and will require that effective 2008, bunker barges be double-hulled. Managing Director of SMIT Amandla Marine Mr. Paul Maclons explains that the new build bunker barge, scheduled to be delivered in August 2007, will join an existing SMIT Amandla Marine barge fleet of three including the ‘Pentow Energy’, ‘Marine Excellence’ and ‘Smit Bongani’ – currently utilised in service to the industry in the ports of Richards Bay and Durban.


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The new barge is designed with maximum fuel carrying requirements in mind and will be able to deliver bunkers at rates of up to 1000 tonne/hr. Characterised by optimal manoeuverability, safety features and the capacity to carry some 5000 tonnes of marine fuel (fuel oil, gas oil and diesel oil), the new barge will epitomise the latest in international barge design and technology. Features inherent in the design of the barge include diesel-electric propulsion, closed loop loading, a bunker gantry and wheelhouse control of the whole cargo operation.

On the issue of skills development required to support the new vessel when it goes into operation next year, Mr Paul Maclons is planning ahead: “We have already begun a training and development programme with bunker barge masters and crew and are focussing on expanding our pool of local human resources to ensure that we have the required experienced personnel to man the new barge when it comes into service. An investment in our people is as important as the investment in new hardware”.

SMIT supports the South African Government’s drive to transform the country and in 2005 restructured its South African operations and successfully established SMIT Amandla Marine which has become a leading example of transformation in the maritime sector in South Africa. SMIT’s commitment to the local ship building industry is in line with the government’s stated support for the re-establishment of South Africa’s shipbuilding capability and the resurrection of this vitally important sector of the economy. This sentiment was echoed by Transport Minister Jeff Radebe last week, speaking at the Africa Joint Operations Conference 2006.