Question No. 1105
Ms MR Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) (a) How many tenders were received to build the polar vessel that will replace the South African Agulhas, (b) which (i) countries and (ii) companies did the tenders originate from, (c) when will the (i) tender be awarded and (ii) replacement vessel be ready for service, (d) what is the budget for building and equipping the replacement vessel, (e) what amount of this budget is for scientific equipment, (f) what will the range of scientific equipment aboard new vessel be and (g) what will be its purpose;
(2) Whether any discussions are underway to transfer the ownership of the South African Agulhas to the Department of Science and Technology; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) Whether only the new vessel will be the property of the Department of Science and Technology (DST); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) What was the research programme of the South African Agulhas (a) in the 2008/09 financial year and (b) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;
(5) Whether any of the scientific equipment of the South African Agulhas will be (a) replaced and or upgraded before it ceases service and (b) transferred to the replacement vessel; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
1. (a) Four tenders were received after a pre-qualifying process that elicited 11 responses. After an evaluation of these responses against the published criteria, four shipyards were invited to submit formal bids based on a functional specification prepared by the Department.
(1) (b) (i) and (ii)
* Astillero Barreras, Spain
* Damen Shipyards, Netherlands
* Keppelsingmarine, Singapore
* Stx Finland Cruise Oy, Finland
c. (i) The adjudication process has been completed and the department has identified a preferred bidder. Contract negotiations, commenced on 21 September 2009. The final award will be subject to successful contract negotiations, which are expected to be completed by the end of October 2009.
c. (ii) February 2012
d. South African Rands, 1 649 825 000
e. The percentage of the capital costs devoted to scientific systems is difficult to estimate because it comprises many subsystems, namely over side sampling equipment, the facilities required to launch and retrieve this equipment, dedicated laboratories and work areas and ships infrastructure.
To reduce mark up costs the builder will provide a bare minimum of scientific equipment, sufficient only to demonstrate the vessel’s ability to perform its scientific functions. This is estimated to be in the region of R30 million. The remaining equipment supply will be purchased with funds outside of the capital build budget and prior to the vessel’s arrival from the shipyard. Portable oceanographic equipment to be purchased will cost in the region of R6 million, while seismic equipment will cost in the region of R30 million. In addition, provision has been made to accommodate six purpose e-built, specialised container laboratories at an estimated cost of R5 million.
The cost of equipment required to launch and retrieve the above (winches, cables, davits, cranes and A frames) is estimated to be in the region of R50 million.
The full infrastructural support for the research facilities includes 11 dedicated laboratories and large working areas totalling approximately 810 square metres. The laboratories require dedicated air, water, communications, stabilised electrical power and special fittings. The ship will also be larger as a result of including these spaces and infrastructure. While it is extremely difficult to place an accurate value on the cost to project of these facilities, it is estimated that if there were no research requirements, the project price would be reduced by R200 to R300 million.
(f) and (g)(i) Water column sampling systems to 6 000 metres.
ii. Vertical and towed plankton nets and small research trawls to 3 000 metres.
2. Yes. Discussions between the two departments to implement the decision to transfer the logistical component of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) have commenced. The South African Agulhas is an integral part of the logistics. A number of other assets, foe example, the specialised vehicle fleet in Antarctica, etc. will also have to be transferred with the responsibility of the logistic component.
3. The new vessel will be an asset of the state. Since the Department of Science and Technology will also be responsible for SANAP logistics. Department of Science and Technology will have to manage and maintain the asset (new vessel) on behalf of the State as is the case with the South African Agulhas currently being managed by Department of Environmental Affairs.
Only (the responsibility for) the new vessel will be transferred to Department of Science and Technology. The rest of the fleet of ships will remain the responsibility of Department of Environmental Affairs.
4. (a) 2008/09 Financial Year:
* Underway measurements like atmospheric temperatures and pressures, ocean surface temperatures, and salinity. Atmospheric and ocean carbon dioxide fluxes are taken to and from Marion Island (April to May), Gough Island (September to October) and Antarctica (December 2008 to February 2009). Ocean temperatures up to 750 metres (depth) are measured with expendable instruments and various scientific floats and drifters are deployed at selected positions.
* A 14 day dedicated oceanography cruise east of Marion Island. Oceanographic measurements across the subtropical convergence in the vicinity of Gough Island and south along 10 degrees west longitude up to 55 degrees South. Six day dedicated weather buoy deployment. Additional to the underway measurements as in one above, current temperature depth (CTD) casts are carried out at selected positions along the Greenwich Meridian. Dedicated 25 day oceanography cruise from two degrees west (South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) station) west to the South Sandwich Islands. Weather buoys are deployed at strategic positions.
* 2009, 01 April 2009 onwards
4. (b) Same as one and two above
5. The South African Agulhas is 30 years old. Most of what is regarded as ship based science equipment such as winches; acoustics (echo sounders), thermosalinometer, etc. are not on par with modern systems anymore. These will not be upgraded, replaced or transferred.
Mobile scientific equipment such as portable conductivity temperature depth (CTD) probes, nutrient analysers, salinometers and various seasoning equipment that are brought along for a particular cruise and removed afterward will be transferred.
Issued by: Department of Environmental Affairs
28 September 2009
