TRANSNET National Ports Authority (TNPA) welcomed the MV Titus, the latest WW Ocean Neo-Panamax vessel on her maiden voyage, in the Port of Port Elizabeth on October 18.
The MV Titus, which is sailing the Asia to North America trade route on her maiden voyage, has been specifically designed to reduce energy consumption and emissions per ton/km cargo transported.
She is the first large car and truck carrier (LCTC) ever built at the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation’s (CSIC) Xingang Shipyard and the first Chinese-built LCTC in the WW Ocean fleet.
The MV Titus is also the first in a series of four new Post-Panamax vessels due to enter the WW Ocean fleet in the months to come.
The second vessel is expected to enter service later this year with two more due in 2019.
Captain Brynn Adamson (TNPA’s harbour master) handed a commemorative plaque to the captain of the vessel, Captain Ulf Marderyd, during a ceremony on board the vessel.
“We are proud to be part of this momentous occasion and milestone in WW Ocean’s history.
“Being able to receive a vessel of this magnitude in our port and efficiently handle its cargo confirms the quality of our infrastructure, equipment and skilled workforce.
“We look forward to welcoming other vessels of the HERO calibre and are committed to providing sound operational performance and turnaround times for our customers facilitating economic growth in our region,” Adamson said.
The vessel handled approximately 1 050 moves – 800 imports for Volkswagen, Opel and Bentley and 250 exports all for Volkswagen. She was guided into the port with the aid of two tug boats by pilot Gregory Stone. The vessel berthed at approximately 06:00 and sailed to the Port of East London at 18:30 on October 18.
