Dar es Salaam container ship hit for second time
The port of Dar es Salaam has taken another body blow to its reputation after reports of a container ship, which was first raided by ‘pirates’ (or thieves) while sailing off the Tanzanian port during December, being hit for a second time this week.
The first incident took place on 29 December while the ship was underway about ten miles off the port. Robbers who went on board broke into a container and stole items before the alarm as given. This week’s robbery took place in port with the shoreside watchman being threatened with a knife.
Robbers ignored an additional three crewmen placed on deck watch that evening (Monday 29 January) plus five local security guards. They helped themselves to mooring lines and two lifebuoys, which were used to move the mooring ropes underneath the pier.
The shoreside watchman alerted the port security authorities and about half an hour later a patrol boat arrived on the scene to find that the robbers had already departed.
Earlier this week we reported how ships were bypassing Dar es Salaam because of congestion and as a result the container terminal at Mombasa was becoming clogged with the diverted cargo accumulating while awaiting a feeder ship to take it to the Tanzanian port.
The first incident took place on 29 December while the ship was underway about ten miles off the port. Robbers who went on board broke into a container and stole items before the alarm as given. This week’s robbery took place in port with the shoreside watchman being threatened with a knife.
Robbers ignored an additional three crewmen placed on deck watch that evening (Monday 29 January) plus five local security guards. They helped themselves to mooring lines and two lifebuoys, which were used to move the mooring ropes underneath the pier.
The shoreside watchman alerted the port security authorities and about half an hour later a patrol boat arrived on the scene to find that the robbers had already departed.
Earlier this week we reported how ships were bypassing Dar es Salaam because of congestion and as a result the container terminal at Mombasa was becoming clogged with the diverted cargo accumulating while awaiting a feeder ship to take it to the Tanzanian port.