Safmarine’s ‘Big Whites’ bow out
07.11.2007
After almost 30 years of flawless service, the original four ‘Big Whites’ - the SA Helderberg, SA Winterberg, SA Sederberg and SA Waterberg (presently Maersk Constantia) - will bow out from the Safmarine fleet during 2007/2008.
The four containerships - which have been on bare-boat charter to Safmarine since 2002 - are to return to their owners at the end of their charter period.
In 2002 Safmarine sold the four ‘Big Whites’ for an undisclosed sum to overseas owners before chartering them back on a ‘bare boat’ basis, thereby continuing to operate them as part of the Safmarine fleet.
The SA Helderberg became the first of the original Safmarine ‘Big Whites’ to leave the fleet when it was phased out on October 31, 2007.
The SA Winterberg, SA Sederberg and SA Waterberg (presently Maersk Constantia) are to be phased out between January and August 2008.
Commenting on the Big Whites’ departure from the Safmarine fleet, Safmarine CEO Ivan Heesom-Green said:
“Safmarine is sad to bid farewell to these reliable ships which have served South Africa, Safmarine and our valued customers well for three decades. It is also worth noting these four ships, along with sister ships from other lines, were deployed on the South Africa-Europe trade for 25 years and that it is unusual to have ships deployed together for this length of time on a single trade lane.”
Respect for these much-loved vessels has resulted in the SA Helderberg and her sister ships being viewed as more than mere transporters of sea freight.
“In many ways, these ships have been synonymous with the spirit of Safmarine and we are therefore sad to see them go. However, it is important that Safmarine, in the interests of providing a leading shipping service - and owning and maintaining a modern fleet - invests in new, more technologically-advanced and environmentally-friendly ships.”
Safmarine is currently part-way through an extensive fleet renewal programme and will take delivery of seven new, owned vessels in 2008.
The SA Helderberg and her sister ships – all built in French yards in the 70s – boasted several features not commonly found in cargo ships at the time. These features included stabilisers, twin engines, air conditioning and extensive capacity for perishable cargo.
Their high standard of building - coupled with Safmarine’s policy of ongoing, onboard preventative maintenance and scheduled dry-docking - ensured their exceptional reliability and longevity.
The first of these ships, the SA Helderberg, completed sea trials in 1977 and arrived at Cape Town in January 1978 under the command of Commodore Robin Thomson.
Another senior officer on that maiden voyage was Second Engineer Etienne (Smersh) Rabie, currently Safmarine’s Marine Executive.
Early in their careers, the ships were affectionately named ‘Big Whites’ because of their large size and their gleaming white hulls which reflected the bright South African sunshine on their regular port calls in South Africa.
The four containerships - which have been on bare-boat charter to Safmarine since 2002 - are to return to their owners at the end of their charter period.
In 2002 Safmarine sold the four ‘Big Whites’ for an undisclosed sum to overseas owners before chartering them back on a ‘bare boat’ basis, thereby continuing to operate them as part of the Safmarine fleet.
The SA Helderberg became the first of the original Safmarine ‘Big Whites’ to leave the fleet when it was phased out on October 31, 2007.
The SA Winterberg, SA Sederberg and SA Waterberg (presently Maersk Constantia) are to be phased out between January and August 2008.
Commenting on the Big Whites’ departure from the Safmarine fleet, Safmarine CEO Ivan Heesom-Green said:
“Safmarine is sad to bid farewell to these reliable ships which have served South Africa, Safmarine and our valued customers well for three decades. It is also worth noting these four ships, along with sister ships from other lines, were deployed on the South Africa-Europe trade for 25 years and that it is unusual to have ships deployed together for this length of time on a single trade lane.”
Respect for these much-loved vessels has resulted in the SA Helderberg and her sister ships being viewed as more than mere transporters of sea freight.
“In many ways, these ships have been synonymous with the spirit of Safmarine and we are therefore sad to see them go. However, it is important that Safmarine, in the interests of providing a leading shipping service - and owning and maintaining a modern fleet - invests in new, more technologically-advanced and environmentally-friendly ships.”
Safmarine is currently part-way through an extensive fleet renewal programme and will take delivery of seven new, owned vessels in 2008.
The SA Helderberg and her sister ships – all built in French yards in the 70s – boasted several features not commonly found in cargo ships at the time. These features included stabilisers, twin engines, air conditioning and extensive capacity for perishable cargo.
Their high standard of building - coupled with Safmarine’s policy of ongoing, onboard preventative maintenance and scheduled dry-docking - ensured their exceptional reliability and longevity.
The first of these ships, the SA Helderberg, completed sea trials in 1977 and arrived at Cape Town in January 1978 under the command of Commodore Robin Thomson.
Another senior officer on that maiden voyage was Second Engineer Etienne (Smersh) Rabie, currently Safmarine’s Marine Executive.
Early in their careers, the ships were affectionately named ‘Big Whites’ because of their large size and their gleaming white hulls which reflected the bright South African sunshine on their regular port calls in South Africa.
