Durban : A fast sealift ship, one of eight belonging to the United States navy, will be docked in Durban today. Sources also say a US carrier battle group, consisting of a super aircraft carrier and her battle escorts, will shortly be visiting Cape Town.

US naval ship Altair will be in Durban to rebunker before returning home, the American embassy in Pretoria said.

Sealift ships are used by the US military for the rapid deployment of equipment around the world.

The Altair and her sisters are 946-foot cargo vessels that can reach speeds of above 27 knots, and which together can lift the equivalent of a full army mechanised division.

The mission of the military sealift command is to transport equipment, fuel, supplies and ammunition to sustain US forces worldwide.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Cape Times.