An Yue Jiang Press Release
Monday 21 April 2008
Given the public interest in following the movements of the ship An Yue Jiang, which is reported to be carrying arms to Zimbabwe, Lloyd’s MIU (www.lloydsmiu.com) is tracking this vessel via satellites and agents covering all African ports.
The vessel may be hidden from satellite tracking at present, so our focus is on likely ports of call for discharging its cargo, potential re-fuelling stops (given it did not re-fuel at Durban), and all vessels in that coastal area that it could transfer its cargo onto while it is at sea, in particular, two vessels belonging to the same owner.
There are 32 ports in Africa, south of the equator, physically capable of accommodating An Yue Jiang. Given the intense media interest, and the fact this ship has six cranes on board, an increasingly likely scenario is the possibility of a ship-to-ship transfer of the controversial cargo “over the horizon” while the vessel is at sea. It is also possible for the ship to be refuelled at sea, which would allow it to continue further afield and then continue the shipment via land.
Lloyd’s MIU data shows there are currently 311 vessels that in the area of a type and size capable of receiving this cargo, 2 of these vessels belong to COSCO (China Ocean Shipping Group Company), which has owned the An Yue Jiang since its launch over 21 years ago. COSCO owns around 700 vessels, 150 of which are of a general cargo designation.
The general cargo ship An Yue Jiang is 149 meters long, and has a deadweight capacity of 14,913 tonnes. Capable of just over 15 knots in speed, it can stow cargo in its four holds and on deck. One of its key strengths is its ability to discharge its own cargo via six onboard cranes, which it can do at a port, or if conditions permit, at sea.
The vessel has a maximum capacity of 1,155 tonnes of fuel, and maximum fuel consumption of 24.5 tonnes per day when travelling at full speed.
According to Lloyd’s MIU data, countries visited by the An Yue Jiang so far this year include Japan, Kenya, Brazil, China, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Philippines, Nigeria, Singapore and South Africa.
Further Information:
Contact Lloyd’s MIU global response center quoting ref “AYJ-019“:
T: +44 (0) 20 7017 5205
E: casualty@lloydsmiu.com
Notes to Editors:
1. Lloyd’s MIU is the only company in the world capable of providing global shipping movements; which it does via the world’s largest Automatic Identification (AIS) System and the Lloyd’s Agency Network.
2. The An Yue Jiang is reported to have two onboard cranes each capable of lifting 50 tonnes, and four capable of lifting 10 tonnes.
