Posted on March 6, 2024
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is accelerating the execution of port infrastructure development projects aimed at addressing congestion and increasing capacity at the Eastern Region ports of Durban and Richards Bay.
During the conclusion of its Business-to-Business stakeholder engagement roadshow in Durban, TNPA highlighted progress made under its mega projects portfolio – the KwaZulu-Natal Logistics Hub (KZN LH) and operational projects aimed at easing congestion at the two ports. The flagship KZN Logistics Hub portfolio aims to reposition the ports of Durban and Richards Bay to increase the capacity of handling container, automotive, dry bulk and liquid bulk commodities.
TNPA Managing Executive for the Eastern Region ports, Moshe Motlohi said: “For effective execution of these projects, we as TNPA rely on collaboration between ourselves and customers to find best solutions to improve port efficiencies.”
To date, TNPA has made headway on two catalytic projects in the region, following the much- needed preparation funding from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). At the Port of Durban, TNPA anticipates awarding a service provider for the detailed design and commissioning of berth infrastructure works of the Point Container Terminal Marine Infrastructure and Bulk Services project by April 2024. The project seeks to expand the terminal capacity from 0.2m TEUs to 1.8m TEUs.
For the Port of Richards Bay, TNPA has appointed the terminal operator for the handling of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the South Dunes Precinct. The Ports Authority will in the coming months appoint a developer of the port’s common-user infrastructure facility required to support the LNG terminal. The developer will carry out the construction of marine structures such as berths, bollards, fenders, pipe racks and bund walls as well as the development of a gas transmission pipeline for handling LNG imports and bulk services infrastructure.
The preparation funding from DBSA means that TNPA will now be able to execute these projects within the specified timelines.
Commenting on these projects, TNPA Portfolio Director for KZN Logistics Hub, Dr Bridgette Gasa- Toboti said, “Our continued investment in infrastructure and the repositioning of the two ports is pivotal in meeting the demands of the maritime industry – in particular, the increasing size of container vessels calling at our ports and introducing new energy mix within the port system.”
The project pipeline for the region also encompasses the deepening and lengthening of berths 203, 204 and 205 at the Pier 2 Durban Container Terminal at the Port of Durban. In this regard, the request for proposal for the multi-billion-rand main marine construction works package is out in the market and will close on 19 April 2024. The project will commence between August and December 2024. The project will result in a berth length increase from 914m to 1 210m to safely accommodate the simultaneous berthing of three Super Post Panamax vessels of 350m in length and draft of 14.5m.
Meanwhile, in January 2024 TNPA also appointed a service provider to undertake prefeasibility studies for both the Base and Satellite Stations to enable the construction of the South African Navy Base project at the Port of Richards Bay.
