Warring neighbours they may be, but Russia and Ukraine are coincidental neighbours at Cape Town’s repair quay this week.
Two polar research vessels, one Ukranian, the other Russian, are tied up peacefully alongside each other despite the countries’ hostilities 15,000km away.
On the north wall of the quay is Ukraine-flagged Antarctic research and supply vessel Noosfera, which arrived last week from Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. On the south wall is Russian polar vessel Vasiliy Golovnin.
Their simultaneous berthing prompted speculation about possible lively crew interactions on the quayside.
Maritime website Africa Ports & Ships featured the vessels’ berthing arrangement in an article on Monday.
Let’s trust the respective crews observe the typical respect among seafarers.
— Africa Ports & Ships
“The two countries are at war in the bloodiest conflict across Europe since World War 2, yet here are two vessels, one Ukrainian and the other Russian, parked right across the narrow quay from each other!” the website said.
“Let’s trust the respective crews observe the typical respect among seafarers.”
The website had a dig at “tone-deaf” Transnet for its “unnecessarily provocative decision” to berth the ships opposite each other.
“Let’s hope that there are no minor altercations between the crews. Compassion and understanding are obviously not qualities for some of the Transnet folk,” the website said.
Noosfera is likely to remain in Cape Town for an extended period due to the conflict, which has engulfed the ship’s home port of Odesa.
“She sailed from Odesa for Punta Arenas on January 28, arriving in the Chilean port on March 14, two weeks after Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine,” Africa Ports & Ships said.
“This delayed their departure for Antarctica, as some of her crew and scientific complement wanted to return home and some of her joining scientists had been unable to join the vessel at Punta Arenas.
“The war also caused crew-change complications and the vessel has been unable to return home.”
Transnet National Ports Authority did not respond to queries.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.