Tristan : Tristan: Shipping News – New Stud Flock
Submitted by Tristan Times (Sarah Glass) 05.03.2009 (Article Archived on 07.05.2009)

The MV Edinburgh arrived in Cape Town on 27th February after completing all the Tristan lobster quotas of 437 metric tons for the 2008/09 season, some have already been sold, the rest are ready for shipment to markets in the USA and the Far East.

Shipping News – New Stud Flock

The MV Edinburgh arrived in Cape Town on 27^th February after completing all the Tristan lobster quotas of 437 metric tons for the 2008/09 season, some have already been sold, the rest are ready for shipment to markets in the USA and the Far East.

The Kelso arrived on Thursday the 26^th February, she carried contract workers for the rebuilding of the new factory and maintenance to the harbour.  As well as cargo for the island, 13 bags of GPO mail, and some new stud flock for the island.  This is the first time that Tristan has introduced this breed.

They are the Black –headed Dorper, which is a South African mutton breed developed in the 1930's from the Dorset Horn and the Black-headed Persian Sheep.  They are known to be one of the most fertile of sheep breeds that is hornless with good body length and a short light covering of hair and wool.  The breed has the characteristic black head, and is known to show exceptional adaptability, hardiness, reproduction rates and growth as well as good mothering abilities.  This breed was chosen due to the shortage of grazing and Tristan’s weather conditions.

The Kelso completed her offloading pumped fuel ashore and departed for Cape Town.

The Baltic Trader arrive on Sunday the 1^st March on her second voyage, she is carrying materials for the harbour and equipment for the inside of the new factory and power plant.  The harbour materials include a new crane, and dollos to strengthen the breakwaters.  Although the biggest problem still remains the depth of the harbour as the big barge used to carry containers and other heavy equipment can only work during high tide.  A week on the vessel is still at Tristan and is unable to unload due to bad weather.