The Port of Cape Town has reached a significant milestone by accommodating the MSC Ines, the longest vessel ever to dock at the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT).
The 348.5-meter vessel surpassed the previous record of 336 meters for ‘length overall restrictions’ at the port.
MSC Director of Operations, Captain Ian Rosario, attributed this achievement to the guidance of Harbourmaster Captain Alex Miya and Deputy Harbourmaster Captain Marcus Rammutloa, along with the expert piloting by Captain Mthunzi Bota.
He also acknowledged the efforts of Cape Town Port Manager Rajesh Dana, Transnet National Ports Authority Acting CEO Advocate Phyllis Difeto, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) Managing Executive Oscar Borcherds, and TPT CEO Jaby Mdaki.
Five ship-to-shore gantry cranes facilitated a swift turnaround of the MSC Ines, with Rosario emphasizing the importance of these upgrades to keep the port competitive as global demand drives larger vessels.
He noted that ports able to handle larger traffic will be best positioned for growth and resilience in the changing maritime industry.
Rosario highlighted the broader significance of accommodating larger vessels, particularly for Cape Town’s strategic position in both the geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape.
Notably, the MSC Ines has a history—it became infamous in October 2017 when it broke free of its moorings during a storm, blocking the entrance to the Port of Durban.
However, Rosario commended the teamwork and preparation that enabled a safe and successful docking at Cape Town.
In response to the need for accommodating longer vessels, MSC partnered with senior pilots to simulate the docking of larger ships on bridge simulators at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
The trials, conducted under diverse weather and sea conditions, have generated valuable insights for Cape Town’s shipping community.
Rosario underscored the broader challenges that expanding vessels pose for ports worldwide, citing the Ever Given’s grounding in the Suez Canal in March 2023, which halted global traffic for days.
He noted that as vessels grow, ports must evolve, a sentiment echoed by Captain Salvatore Sarno, Chairman of Mediterranean Shipping Company South Africa.
To accommodate even larger ships, Rosario suggested that Cape Town’s port consider widening the inner breakwater entrance, potentially removing part of the southern breakwater wall.
While the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has raised concerns over wave surges, Rosario proposed that an open entrance could reduce surging by allowing free water flow.
With the inner breakwater constructed to be adjustable, the proposal could undergo real-time testing without permanent alteration.
Furthermore, Rosario pointed out that previous berth deepening efforts to 15.5 meters led to vessel surging, as the quay wall’s stilted support allowed water access beneath the quay.
Recently, TNPA introduced anti-surging devices, or shore tensioners, which have been effective in reducing vessel movement at CTCT, improving stability during port calls.
This achievement and the continuous improvements at the Port of Cape Town demonstrate its commitment to staying competitive in a fast-evolving global shipping environment, supporting South Africa’s ambition to be a key player in African logistics.
