Newly-built Chinese cargo shipmakes first call to Richards Bay

General dry cargo vessel sails for the first time from Zhoushan, China, to the Port of Richards Bay

1 hour ago

Gugu Myeni 1 minute read

MV Pacific Virtue at the Port of Richards Bay

It was a maiden voyage and the first call in South African waters for newly-built Chinese vessel MV Pacific Virtue, which called at the Port of Richards Bay last week.

The 199.9m general dry cargo vessel sailed from Zhoushan, China to Richards Bay following its delivery from China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in June.

“We are immensely proud that the MV Pacific Virtue made the Port of Richards Bay its first port of call in South Africa on its inaugural journey.

“This maiden call reflects the confidence placed in the country’s port system by international shipping operators, and demonstrates our maritime capabilities to safely and efficiently handle specialised project cargo,” said Richards Bay acting port manager Winnie Mpanza.

The vessel discharged 7 969.74 metric tonnes of specialised project cargo, including large wind turbine blades, turbines, towers and containers at berth 708 at the local port.

“The successful maiden call demonstrates the Port of Richards Bay’s capacity to receive newly-delivered vessels and manage specialised project cargo safely and efficiently, while maintaining the operational standards required by international shipping operators,” said Mpanza.

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