Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is developing an R89-billion KwaZulu-Natal logistics hub, including a new container terminal, road and port security improvements and the relocation of the SA Naval Base from Salisbury Island in Durban to Richards. proceeding. Bay's Naval Island and Pelican Island.
TNPA portfolio director Brigitte Gasa-Toboti and the authority's managing director for the eastern region, Moshi Motlohi, last week presented an update on plans for the Durban hub and port.
Mr Gasa Toboti said the capacity of Durban and Richards Bay ports would be improved through 31 initiatives, including the expansion of vehicle terminals, deepening of the Maidon Wharf Strait and construction of the Megachrome Terminal.
“In the case of the Port of Durban, we recognize that we are positioning the port as a container hub and we are looking to increase export volumes from the current 2.9 million TEU.” [twenty-foot equivalent units] 11.4 million TEU per year,” she said.
Plans were underway to increase exports from 520,000 completed vehicle units a year to just under 1 million FBUs by 2030, to make way for the expansion of Durban's Point Terminal.
The project includes demolition of infrastructure such as the Ocean Terminal Building, L, M, and N Sheds, Darmarin Building, Schoeman Bridge, and Spiral Ramp, and construction of roads and bridges. Demolition and relocation of infrastructure such as staff rooms and helicopter hangars is scheduled to be completed by April 2028.
Ghasa Toboti said TNPA has secured funding from the Development Bank of Southern Africa to carry out a feasibility study for the development of the Point Container Terminal, and the Ports Authority will fund all berths and associated port infrastructure. Then he said.
The interest application process for the dry dock development has been completed, with one company responding and expressing interest in funding and operating the new facility. He said a request for proposals is being prepared for the operators of both facilities.
Additional masterplan projects include the development of the Durban Bay waterfront, the widening and deepening of the harbor entrance channel, the reconstruction of Island View Berth, the Pier 1 Phase 2 Container Terminal and the New Maiden Wharf Container Terminal.
new naval base
Preparations are underway at Richard Bay Port to build a new naval base within the port and a satellite base at Durban Port. TNPA he appointed a service provider to conduct a pre-feasibility study for both facilities in January 2024. The study includes preliminary engineering work for the Richards Bay Port base, satellite and habitat, and is expected to be completed by October 2024.
The appointment of a service provider to construct a liquefied natural gas berth in the South Dunes with interconnecting pipelines, bulk services, loading arms, pipe racks, gas transmission pipelines and floating storage regasification equipment is expected in March this year. ing. Vopak and TPL Consortium Venture will operate this facility for his 25th year.
Gasa Toboti said the preferred bidder for the construction of the 6.75-hectare container handling facility, which will handle 200,000 TEU, will be announced in April this year.
Other projects at Richards Bay include the construction of two dry bulk berths to increase throughput and the expansion of the 800 series pier with two additional berths for dry bulk.
Mr Motlohi highlighted several capital expenditure projects underway at both ports, including the 500-metre extension of Mandla Road and the 2,400-metre N-class rail line, service roads, Moba line and arrival yard upgrades. Installation of his 57 kg/m rail in Richards Bay, a rainwater system and hydraulically driven capstan, new safety fences and gates in Durban Port.
