EXPANDED OFFSHORE FLEET ENSURES COASTWISE COVERAGE

To further strengthen its capabilities and reflec confidence in opportunities within the South African maritime industry, AMSOL has expanded its offshore fleet with the recent addition of a third Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessel, the ‘Inkanyezi’.

She joins a fleet of tugs including the ‘Umkhuseli’, ‘Nomasa’ and ‘Siyanda’ that together ensure reliable coastwise coverage along the Southern African coast, supporting offshore operations across the region.

At the centre of this operation is the ‘Umkhuseli’ which plays a critical role in partnership with the Department of Transport and the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). On call 24/7/365 and working closely with the Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), the vessel delivers essential services including emergency response, safety standby, rescue towage, search and rescue, environmental protection, and salvage.

In 2024 alone, AMSOL successfully executed 11 emergency interventions. These actions prevented an estimated 20,000 tonnes of marine fuel from entering the ocean; a clear demonstration of the value the ‘Umkhuseli’ and her crew provide in protecting South Africa’s marine environment.

Operations are carried out by the experienced Masters, Officers, and Crew onboard, supported by AMSOL’s shore-based specialists. Beyond their immediate role in protecting lives, assets and the environment, they also provide invaluable training opportunities. The ‘Umkhuseli’ serves as a practical platform for the next generation of South African seafarers, offering the seagoing experience essential to building maritime capability for the future.

AMSOL has recently undertaken several operations that demonstrate the range and importance of its work. They include:

January: The ‘Siyanda’ provided emergency standby and firefighting support to the ‘MSC Pusan C’.
April: The ‘Nomasa’ towed the vessel ‘Ruslana’ from Knysna to Durban following engine failure.
May: The ‘Umkhuseli’ supported cargo runs with the pipelaying vessel ‘JSD 6000’ northeast of Robben Island, and later that month towed the cargo barge ‘CB31’ from Cape Town to Saldanha Bay.
June: The ‘Umkhuseli’ provided emergency standby to the oil/chemical tanker ‘MT Hafnia Atlantic’ off the Port of Ngqura, then towed the vehicle carrier ‘MV Parana’ to the Port of Ngqura anchorage and remained on standby.
June: The ‘Nomasa’ towed a barge from Mozambique to Durban for drydock, and returned it in September.
July: The ‘Umkhuseli’ towed the cargo barge ‘Adelie’ from Cape Town to Saldanha Bay.
August: The ‘Nomasa’ towed the oil tanker ‘Prima’ from anchorage to berth in the Port of Durban.

September: The ‘Nomasa’ provided towage and standby support to a fully laden bulk carrier before escorting her safely into port.