EXPLORA

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Survey ship idled in Durban

Te 'OGS Explora' has been idled at Durban Dry Dock since Feb 17, 2021. Her last voyage departed from Italy on Nov 28, 2020 en route to Réunion for a survey in the South Indian Ocean. She developed engine problems and called into Port Louis on Jan 16 for sludge discharge and repairs. She sailed again on Jan 23, but her engine problems became so severe that she was forced to receive assistance and head to Durban, where she arrived off the port on Feb 14. In 2019 her owners, OGS, had already communicated to EMB that the 'OGS Explora' would be decommissioned in 2020. Delays in her final voyages due to the Covid-19 pandemic meant that she was still operating into 2021, and this may well be her final voyage. The costs associated with main engine repairs or even replacement, to a ship already slated for retirement may mean that Durban is the last port call for the ship before a decision is taken for her to be towed away to a breaker's yard. Report with photos: https://africaports.co.za/#3408