Busiest day in EL harbour

EAST LONDON'S grain elevator which is the largest free-flow facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere is back in action after a two-year spell of inactivity. Export maize is now being taken into it and the first vessels to use the dedicated berth in the harbour will be calling shortly for loading.
"It's part of the port task team's marketing success," says spokesman Terry Taylor. "It means that standing on the West Bank it will give added activity to that section of the harbour which came alive at the end of last year with the opening of the car terminal."
Six vessels berthed on the same day last week - with another waiting outside - recording the highest point of activity East London has experienced in years. Two car carriers (shown on the left of this aerial view) were loading while two other vessels, shown in the forefront, were container carriers, with a general cargo vessel behind them.
The sixth vessel is the Beluga Satisfaction which experienced flooding in high seas off Port Elizabeth and a fire in its engine room, and was then towed to East London for a week in the dry dock followed by a two-week stay for repairs.