Historic moment as South African port hosts the largest-ever container ship
The MSC Rifaya, the largest container ship to dock in South Africa, made an unscheduled stop at Durban port
Measuring nearly 400m in length and weighing over 200,000 metric tonnes, this vessel has a capacity exceeding 19,400 TEUs.
This event demonstrates the world-class infrastructure and emergency handling capabilities of the Port of Durban.
The ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) arrived at Durban port, South Africa on Monday, June 9, making an unscheduled stop for emergency repairs after sailing in from Ashdod, Israel.
The MSC Rifaya, a ship measuring nearly 400 meters in length and weighing over 200,000 metric tonnes, is classified among the world's largest container vessels.
With a reported capacity of 19,437 to 19,466 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), it has surpassed all previous records set by container vessels entering South African waters.
The berthing of the massive vessel was a complex operation that involved four harbour tugs. Port officials confirmed that the Rifaya will remain at the port until at least Thursday, June 13, before continuing its journey to Singapore.
According to Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, Acting Port Manager at the Port of Durban, the successful docking, despite being unscheduled, demonstrates not only the port's world-class infrastructure but also its flexibility and readiness to handle emergency berthings.
He described the event as evidence that South Africa possesses the maritime expertise required to operate at a global standard. Ben-Mazwi further praised the teamwork of marine pilots, tug masters, and engineers who coordinated the berthing process with precision.
Key personnel involved in the operation included MSC South Africa's Operations Director, Captain Ian Rosario, and Transnet National Ports Authority's Harbour Master, Captain Brynn Adamson.
The vessel was piloted into the port by Captain Ian Waddell, assisted by senior marine pilots Captain Mathilda Lekala and Captain Thokozani Mthethwa.
Shipping milestone for SA's Durban port
The arrival of the MSC Rifaya is being celebrated as a milestone for the country's maritime sector.
Port authorities and shipping stakeholders say the successful handling of the vessel places the Port of Durban in a stronger position to compete with major global ports such as Singapore, Rotterdam, and Shanghai. It also boosts the port's reputation as a key gateway for regional and international trade.
The event comes at a time when Transnet and South Africa's shipping sector are under pressure to improve logistics efficiency. The ability to berth and service vessels of this magnitude, especially on short notice, is being viewed as a positive indicator that the country can handle the growing demands of global commerce.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
5 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Reed Smith Appoints Benjamin Fliegel as Office Managing Partner in Los Angeles
Global law firm Reed Smith has appointed Benjamin Fliegel as the new office managing partner of its Los Angeles office. He succeeds Jennifer Terry, who led the office through a successful relocation, fostered a culture of collaboration and provided critical support during the L.A. wildfires. Terry will return to her full-time practice as a leading employment partner. 'Ben has been with the Los Angeles office for more than 12 years. He is a skilled trial lawyer in our Insurance Recovery Group and has served as the office pro bono coordinator while also leading associate integration,' said Julie Hardin, managing partner, Americas, at Reed Smith. 'These roles have given Ben a strong understanding of our L.A. office, our clients and the market, making him an ideal fit to continue our growth initiative in Southern California.' Fliegel represents policyholders in major disputes with their insurance carriers and is widely respected for his deep understanding of juries and judges, as well as his pragmatic approach to advancing clients' business objectives. 'I'm honored to have the opportunity to lead our Los Angeles office,' said Fliegel. 'I look forward to building on Jenny's work and partnering with our lawyers and professional staff as we continue to deliver innovative, client-focused solutions. Our firm is heavily invested in California with five offices across the state. We intend to continue building our presence in this critical region.' Prior to joining Reed Smith, Fliegel worked as an assistant district attorney of Bronx County, N.Y. and clerked for the Hon. Sandra J. Feuerstein of the Eastern District of New York. He is a native Angeleno with active practices in both California and New York. Reed Smith's Los Angeles office opened in 2003. The firm's downtown Los Angeles office, together with its Century City sister office, provides a full range of legal services to local, national and international clients, including those in the life sciences, healthcare, real estate, and entertainment and media industries. The Los Angeles office also has strong teams in labor and employment, insurance recovery, bankruptcy and restructuring, and business litigation, with deep experience in state and federal courts in the region. Information sourced from Reed Smith. To learn more, contact brad@
Business Insider
10 hours ago
- Business Insider
South African court blocks offshore oil exploration by UK, French-backed energy firms
A South African court has blocked an offshore oil exploration project backed by France's TotalEnergies and the UK's Shell, citing major flaws in the environmental review process. A South African court has blocked an oil exploration project by TotalEnergies and Shell due to flaws in the environmental review process. The ruling rescinds the project's environmental authorization over inadequate assessments of socio-economic impacts and climate effects. Companies are permitted to submit revised assessments to address identified deficiencies in environmental and social studies. The ruling rescinds a government-issued environmental authorisation for exploration off the Cape coast, finding that the approval failed to properly assess the potential socio-economic impacts of oil spills and the broader effects of climate change. While halting the project, the court left the door open for a revised application, stating that the companies should be allowed to address the shortcomings. "Total must be afforded opportunity to submit new or amended assessments ... to cure the deficiencies identified," Reuters quoted Western Cape High Court Judge Nobahle Mangcu-Lockwood as saying. The court directed that these updated assessments should include deeper studies on environmental risks, climate impacts, and possible disruption to local fishing and coastal communities. According to Reuters, the decision marks the latest in a series of legal battles between environmentalists and oil companies seeking to explore South Africa's coastline. Energy firms have recently intensified their push into the country's west coast, aiming to replicate the string of oil and gas discoveries made in neighbouring Namibia's section of the prolific Orange Basin. TotalEnergies to review South Africa offshore ruling. In a statement, a TotalEnergies spokesperson acknowledged the ruling, insisting its local unit and partners had complied with all South African regulations. 'TotalEnergies E&P South Africa, along with its joint venture partners, will now legally assess the judgment in more detail and decide on the course of action,' the spokesperson said. The French company had already signaled plans to exit the concession, handing operatorship to Shell while PetroSA retained a minority share. The ruling has reignited debate over foreign-backed fossil fuel projects, balancing energy security and jobs against environmental, biodiversity, and climate concerns.l South Africa's anti-drilling group hail court ruling The case comes amid growing tensions in South Africa over balancing economic development with environmental protection. Supporters say the project could boost energy security and create jobs, while critics warn of lasting harm to marine ecosystems, tourism, and climate goals. Natural Justice, a non-profit that was among the applicants, praised the court's decision as a major step forward for communities and environmental groups seeking to curb oil and gas exploration along South Africa's coastline. 'This judgment again confirms that companies must follow due process, undertake comprehensive assessments, and provide communities with an opportunity to be heard,' Melissa Groenink-Groves, the organisation's programme manager, told Reuters.
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Bloomberg
Westpac Profit Edges Higher on Loan Growth
Hello everyone, it's Ben here on a crisp Melbourne morning. This is what's making headlines today. Today's must-reads: • Westpac profit gains off business lending growth • Buyer fatigue growing in Australian bonds • Is the world's green hydrogen dream fizzling out? Westpac's profit edged up in the third quarter as business and institutional loan growth buoyed the Australian lender. Unaudited net profit came in at A$1.9 billion in the three months to June 30, while the firm reported a net interest margin of 1.99%.
