Berths open - but questions about productivity

The ribbon was cut at the official opening last Thursday of the Port of Durban’s prime Berths 108 and 109 – out of commission for the last four months as they underwent rehabilitation. This saw the refurbishment of the wharf equipment – including the four Liebherr ship-to-shore (STS) cranes – safety and maintenance repairs and scour protection. The last of these was a vital job, designed to prevent the scouring caused by ships’ propellers which was undermining the whole quay foundation. The good news, according to Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) chief executive, Karl Socikwa, is that this Phase 1 project of four was “on time and on budget”. He also added that this was part of Transnet’s commitment to the creation of a national infrastructure platform, and that it certainly helped “to close the gap”. But the not-so-good news for port users is that it doesn’t seem to contribute anything to increased berth productivity. Oh yes, it will accommodate the length and width of the larger vessels of today – up to, and some over, 10 000-TEU capacity. But the only berth deepening ready to go up to now is for Berths 203 to 205 on the North Pier. For 108/109, there is still the environmental issue to be solved. And that, according to Chris Botha, port engineer in charge of Durban’s port modernisation programme, and speaking to FTW on the sidelines of the opening ceremony, is proving a bit twitchy. There’s another round of comments still to come in, and they are only expected to go to the department of environmental affairs later this month. Botha reckons that means that dredging for 108/109 can only begin in about two years. The environmental problem, Botha added, related to the fact that it was intended to both deepen and widen the berth manoeuvring channel. And at question amongst environmentalists is the fact that the extra 50 metres width required will cut into the central harbour sandbar. And that, Botha told FTW, is akin to the Holy Grail for greenies. Also, for the Durban and visiting fishing contingent, the sandbar is the home and nesting place for “crackers” – a much desired bait type for anglers. So there’s a bit of an “if ” attached to the “when” for the environmental assessment programme (EAP) for the dredging. And dredging is a very vital need if ever Durban is expected to make proper use of its berth facilities for the much bigger container ships that have already been calling at 108/109 since July 1. As long as the berth draught (depth) remains at 12.5m, many of these liners are going to have to sail in and out only part-laden – not a cost-effective practice. Also something which reduces the port’s per ship productivity – and utterly peeves the costconscious shipowners. And before port users get too used to the idea that work on 108/109 is now finished, hang on. Zeph Ndlovu, TPT’s GM for KZN operations, pointed out that there was still quite an area of the pier’s surface which had suffered mortal wounding in its 40-year lifespan – and potholes and sinkholes have broken through the quay’s concrete surface skin. And a lot of that repair work falls under Phase 2. CAPTION Cutting the ribbon for the official opening of Berths 108/109 are (l-r): Hector Danisa, TPT assistant terminal executive; Peter Besnard, CEO of the SA Association of Ship Operators and Agents (Saasoa); and Karl Socikwa, CE of TPT