Building capacity to meet demand

At a combined throughput of nearly a million
containers a year, the twin ports of Ngqura and
Port Elizabeth are among the busiest in Africa.
Transnet Port Terminals will be investing in
new and additional equipment for the two ports in
Nelson Mandela Bay, as well as for East London
in order to ensure that there is sufficient capacity
says Siya Mhlaluka, Terminal Executive Manager
Eastern Cape Terminals.
Two Panamax-sized ship to shore cranes are
to be redeployed from Durban to Port Elizabeth
to complement the existing post-Panamax crane
in the port, and to replace the other ageing
equipment.
Capacity in the port may also be increased
through the dredging of the existing container
quay – a project currently under consideration by
landowners Transnet National Ports Authority.
Transnet Port Terminals CEO Tau Morwe has
told a business breakfast that an additional six
cranes are being planned for Ngqura, which will
have four berths operational by March 2012.
“Ngqura has taken us by surprise, and the
volume of 600 000 containers a year being
handled by the port triggers the need for
additional equipment,” says Mhlaluka.
Port Elizabeth is set to handle some 370 000
containers this year.
Investment in East London includes R20
million to refurbish the bulk grain facility, and
upgrades to the container terminal.
“Contrary to rumours, we are not closing the
port of East London. We will continue to invest in
it to provide the services needed,” he says.