When giants come knocking
When giants come knocking
Maritime transport has long been steeped in myths and wonders, with stories of old telling of mermaids, ghost ships, and fearsome sea creatures. These mysteries might be poppycock, but giants did come knocking at the shores of Africa, as gigantic container ships have berthed across the continent.
The sea has always held a profound significance in human history, serving as a source of sustenance, a pathway for trade, and a realm of mystery and adventure. โFrom ancient civilisations to modern explorers, the ocean has inspired countless journeys, both literal and metaphorical. As humans ventured into the unknown, they crafted myths and legends that not only entertained but also shaped their understanding of the maritime world,โย explains Mythologyworldwide.com in its piece โAcross the Seven Seas: Legendary Maritime Myths and Journeysโ.
โEarly seafaring cultures, such as the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Polynesians, laid the groundwork for maritime exploration, each contributing unique myths to the collective sea lore,โ notes the site, adding that the Phoenicians โ renowned for their navigation skills โ believed in deities like Poseidon, who governed the seas and influenced their trade routes.
โGreek mythology is rich with maritime tales, featuring gods and goddesses like Poseidon and Amphitrite, whose stories intertwined with the lives of sailors. The Polynesians navigated vast ocean expanses, guided by the stars and their myths, which emphasised the importance of ancestral spirits in guiding their journeys,โ it continues.
Throughout history, sailors have also recounted tales of fearsome and fascinating sea creatures that haunted the depths of the oceans. As the site highlights:
โThese legendary beings often symbolise the dangers of the sea and the unknown.
- Mermaids:ย These enchanting half-women, half-fish beings have appeared in folklore worldwide, often representing both allure and danger. Their songs were said to lure sailors to their doom.
- Kraken:ย Originating from Scandinavian folklore, the Kraken is a colossal sea monster that was believed to drag entire ships under the waves, embodying the fears of sailors facing the vast and unpredictable ocean.
- Leviathan: In Biblical texts, Leviathan is depicted as a monstrous sea serpent, symbolising chaos and destruction, further reinforcing the seaโs fearsome reputation.โ
Fast forward a few thousand years, and we can add giants to these tales, as Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has become the first shipping line to deploy mega-large container vessels with a capacity of 24,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) on the continent. โThe arrival of the MSC Diletta and MSC Tรผrkiye on the Africa Express service, connecting key regions from China and South Korea through Southeast Asia to Ghana, Togo, Cรดte dโIvoire, and Cameroon, signals a significant leap in West Africaโs port capabilities and holds the potential to positively alter the economic environment,โ the shipping enterprise emphasises.ย
The historic first call of these colossal vessels occurred in Lomรฉ, Togo, on 23 April with the arrival of the MSC Diletta. โThis event marks a turning point, ushering in an era of unprecedented shipping capacity for the region,โ says MSC.
The company decided to deploy these 24,000 TEU vessels to West Africa as the volume of business and trade between Asia and Africa, particularly West Africa, is experiencing rapid growth. โDeploying larger vessels allows MSC to efficiently cater to this increasing demand as we are Africaโs supply chain partner of choice,โ the shipping company notes, adding that it is directly responding to the growing needs of its customers for increased capacity and more efficient shipping solutions on this vital trade route.
West Africa isnโt the only place where giants came to berth, however, as Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has also welcomed one of the largest container vessels in the world. The MSC Nicola Mastro stopped over at the deepwater Port of Ngqura, in the Eastern Cape, on her maiden voyage on 4 July. SAnews.gov.zareports that the historical berthing of this vessel demonstrates TNPAโs marine capabilities and fit-for-purpose port infrastructure designed to accommodate new-generation vessels.ย
With a capacity of 24,116 TEU, 399m in length and 61m in beam, โthis achievement solidifies TNPAโs status as a significant player in the global maritime industryโ, the governmentโs news agency points out. โThe successful berthing of MSC Nicola Mastro was made possible by a four-tug operation. These tugboats (tugs) have a bollard-pull of 60 to 70 tonnes, fully capable of handling larger vessels efficiently.โ It adds that this special operation necessitated the port authority to increase the number of tugs required for safe navigation in the port, from the standard two-tug operation to four.ย
โThe arrival of this vessel on our shores brings to the fore the critical role SA ports should uphold in responding to the needs of the current global trade ecosystem. Our ability to dock one of the worldโs largest container ships has the potential to transform shipping patterns. It positions the Port of Ngqura as the key container transhipment hub within the global and Saharan Africa markets,โ explains Phyllis Difeto, TNPAโs acting chief executive.
Nicola Mastro surpasses the size of previous vessels that have docked at the Port of Ngqura, which were limited to 366m in length. โHer on-time berthing was skilfully managed by a marine crew of approximately 24 members, led by marine pilot Olwethu Mtsewu-Sisilana, alongside the marine crew in tug services, pilotage and berthing. Mtsewu-Sisilana is one of TNPAโs marine pilots with an open licence, allowing her to handle any size of vessel docking and sailing at the port,โ notes SAnews.gov.za. โOriginally from the village of eXesi in the rural Eastern Cape, Mtsewu-Sisilana began her maritime career in 2008 through a Transnet bursary and has recorded a major milestone in her career through this docking.โ
Sightings of these giants will increase as TNPA gears up to receive more vessel call-ins of this calibre, representing far more than impressive statistics and technical achievements. Just as ancient sailors once navigated by the stars and their myths, Africaโs shipping industry is charting new courses guided by economic realities and technological capabilities.
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