MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Last week, the Mossel Bay Advertiser was alerted by concerned members of the public that a tanker, having previously been in China, was visiting the port.
The Advertiser, on Tuesday, 3 March sent a query to Transet National Ports Authority for confirmation and comment as fear among members of the community of the spreading of the Covid-19 virus, was evident.
Shadrack Tshikalange, Mossel Bay port manager responded on Friday, 6 March.
"Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) at the Port of Mossel Bay can confirm that the tanker, MT Silver Gwen, arrived at the Port of Mossel Bay on 3 March. The vessel is registered in Panama and its last ports of call included Guangdong in China.
"As with all foreign vessels entering our ports, the vessel underwent stringent health checks carried out by the Port Health unit of the Department of Health. The vessel was allowed to enter port limits once Port Health had issued it with free pratique, which means it was given a clean bill of health.
"TNPA has put in place various stringent controls in line with the National Department of Health procedures and is working with Port Health in managing activities related to vessels from affected areas bound for South African ports.
"These controls were put in place to safeguard the port community and employees.
"Despite the large number of vessels sailing into our ports from China, which is a key trading partner for South Africa, there have to date been no suspected cases of the virus or any scares in South African ports."
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