‘It was a little nerve-wracking' — Transnet pilot on how she parked a 399m-long cargo ship

Daily Maverick

07-07-2025

Transnet marine pilot Olwethu Mtsewu-Sisilana is not easily fazed by big challenges — but when she boarded the MSC Nicola Mastro last week to steer the 399m-long vessel into the Port of Ngqura, she had a moment of awe at its scale.
'My first thought was: 'Sho, she is a big girl!'' said Transnet marine pilot Olwethu Mtsewu-Sisilana as she described bringing one of the world's largest cargo ships into the deepwater Port of Ngqura.
The Nicola Mastro, on her maiden voyage, docked at the port 20km northeast of Gqeberha to offload containers.
'Initially, when we heard the news that she was coming, we were told to prepare for it mentally and think of the resources we will need and the limitations we will have,' said Mtsewu-Sisilana.
They were told that the vessel did not want to wait on the open sea.
As one of the marine pilots at the Port of Ngqura with an open licence, Mtsewu-Sisilana knew she could be called upon to bring the massive ship into the harbour, and when the ship arrived she was on duty.
'The vessel can come into the port limits, but it cannot come into the port without one of us,' she said. 'We know our port. So, when they get close, we go out and transfer to the ship. I then have a quick handover from the captain, and he will tell me about the vessel's manoeuvring abilities. I will also share any concerns or information from my side,' she said.
These manoeuvres take time because the vessels must move slowly and cannot use full engine power.
'So we stop the engine and rely on the tugboats,' she said.
Two tugboats from Ngqura were used, and two more from the nearby Port of Port Elizabeth came to assist.
'This was the first time we had a 400-metre vessel at our harbour,' she said. 'It was also very heavy. We knew it would be difficult to stop it. Also, we had to turn her around because that is what port procedures require,' she said.
'I was a little bit nervous. But I was well prepared. I had my colleague with me. It was just when I saw her for the first time, I thought: 'Sho, she is a big girl.'
'I won't lie: it was a little bit nerve-wracking, but I had done a lot of research from my side and I was confident that we would make it safely.'
Mtsewu-Sisilana said she was relieved when the three-hour manoeuvre was completed.
'The welcome we got from the captain and bridge team … was so amazing. From the first minute I met them, I just knew we were going to be successful.
'Me and my manager were very relieved and happy,' she said. 'It was a proud moment for us.'
Mtsewu-Sisilana said they were initially concerned about the wind. 'But the morning was wind-free.' She said they had a tight window to complete the operation as they needed the rising tide to bring the vessel into the harbour 'for extra lift'.
Transnet roadshow
Originally from eXesi (Middledrift) in the Eastern Cape, Mtsewu-Sisilana's parents moved to Mdantsane to make sure their children had access to the best education possible.
She first wanted to become an electrical engineer, but changed her mind after her brother told her about a Transnet roadshow at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. She received a bursary from Transnet and then switched to maritime studies.
After finishing her studies, she had to work as a cadet on a commercial vessel in terms of South African Maritime Safety Authority requirements.
'I remember the first time I got on one of these vessels — I just saw thousands and thousands of containers. I was so intimidated. I just wondered if I made the right decisions. I can't even clearly remember my first day,' she laughed.
Mtsewu-Sisilana said that while Transnet had played a huge role in bringing in more women to become marine pilots, the field remained male-dominated.
'Sometimes when I have a student with me and we arrive at the berth of a new boat, the captain will assume the man is the senior pilot,' she said.
'Sometimes the crew will be shocked. Even when you give orders, they will call you sir,' she said. 'They are not used to having a woman in charge. They will just keep calling you sir until you leave the vessel when the job is done.'
However, she said, most crews were very welcoming and willing to work with a female marine pilot.
'Doing this work requires patience. Also, you must be able to anticipate what will happen next. It is a lot of teamwork.'
She said when they get close to the berth, the shorehands are waiting for the vessel to be tied up, and the berthing master guides her in.
Mtsewu-Sisilana said the Nicola Mastro would probably be taken out to sea again on Monday, 7 July.
'If it is when I am on shift, I will happily do it again,' she said.
The acting Transnet National Ports Authority chief executive, Phyllis Difeto, said: 'Our ability to dock one of the world's largest container ships has the potential to transform shipping patterns. It positions the Port of Ngqura as the key container transhipment hub within the global and Saharan Africa markets.'
The port has depths ranging from 16-18 metres and boasts deepwater berths, making it possible for large container vessels to dock there.
Difeto said the largest vessel that had previously docked at the Port of Ngqura was 366m long. DM