Cape Town port faces potable water restrictions

South African attorneys Shepstone & Wylie have alerted North P&I Club that restrictions imposed on the supply of fresh water to vessels calling at Cape Town, North Club mentions in an announcement.

Cape Town recently experienced drought that affected the region. As a result, the port authority introduced a ban on all use of municipal drinking-quality water for outside and non-essential purposes.

Thus, provision of potable water to all calling vessels has been suspended, except from extreme cases, North Club notes.

According to the port of Cape Town, the vessels calling there, are requested to bunker potable water at other ports not affected by the drought.

However, Cape Town isn’t the only port affected by the drought.

As local media report, Mossel Bay, Ngqura and Port of Elizabeth also face water restrictions.

They also express concerns regarding the operational challenges that Durban port experienced, as a result of recent storms.

Vessels scheduled to call at South African ports should be aware that potable water supplies may be limited and plan accordingly, North P&I Club warns.