EU Fund to ACP to Boost Sustainable Fisheries
The European Union (EU) has provided EUR40 million (USD 45 million) to boost sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP).An initiative by ACP-EU-Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is to invest in value chains that stimulate inclusive growth, bolster food security and minimize impacts on the marine environment."ACP-EU-FAO initiative signed a €40 million, five-year program (FISH4ACP) to boost the development of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific," said a press release from the UN body.FISH4ACP is an innovative EU-funded program, devised with ACP and to be implemented by FAO.
Working Harbor Committee to Screen "Liemba!"
The Working Harbor Committee is presenting a screening of the documentary film "Liemba!" on Tuesday, March 31 at the Community Church of NY. The screening will feature special guest speaker James Wong, Director of Ferries, NYC Economic Development Corp. "Liemba!" is a documentary on the history and significance of the 100-year old historic vessel MV Liemba, a ferry connecting communities and people with work on the great Lake Tanganyika, the second largest freshwater lake in the world. The lake is divided among four countries, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Zambia.
Ferry Capsizing Kills at Least 129 in Congo
At least 129 people are dead in the Democratic Republic of Congo after an overcrowded vessel sank on Lake Tanganyika in the early hours of Friday morning. According to Laurent Kahozi Sumba, the transport minister for Katanga province, 129 bodies have been recovered and there are 232 known survivors – though the true death toll is unknown, AP reported. Kahozi said an investigation into the cause of the sinking is underway. Officials told BBC that strong winds and overloading caused the boat, the MV Mutambala, to capsize. MV Mutambala, was a ferry boat that connected towns in Katanga and South Kivu provinces. Boats in Congo are often overloaded with passengers, frequently without sufficient lifesaving equipment. Source: AP, BBC, staff
GAC Overcomes Challlenges, Delivers to Central Africa
GAC UK & GAC Seaforth overcome challenges to deliver cargo to LakeTanganyika, Burundi, for Surestream Petroleum oil exploration. Independent oil exploration company Surestream Petroleum Ltd, headquartered in Reading, UK, contacted energy sector specialists GAC UK for help with shipping 60 tons of cargo to their seismic operations base on Lake Tanganyika, located to the west of Tanzania and also bordered by Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. The shipment comprised fabricated steel sections, stores, tools, chemicals, high value seismic equipment and a 10m chase boat. GAC was also appointed as the main agent to air-freight stores to Burundi and for a high-priority task to andfrom Malawi.
New Cargo Ship for Lake Tanganyika Launched In Burundi
At 12,700 square miles (32,890 sq km) in area, Lake Tanganyika is the second largest in Africa. It is larger than North America’s Lake Eire (9,910 sq. mi.) and over half the size of Lake Michigan (22,300 sq.mi.). Ships have operated on it since before the First World War when Germany and Britain had some minor naval battles there. This past August a new ship, the M/V Teza, began working the waters of the great lake. Built entirely in Burundi by the Batralac firm, under the management of Basil Demeris the vessel will be operated on the lake by the same company. Designed by the Greek company of Chris Simopoulos & Associates, the 60 by 11-metre ship is powered by a pair of Cummins KT19 marine diesels rated 425 HP each at 1800 RPM.
