With just five months to the opening of the port of Ngqura, it’s all systems go for the August/September testing process before its October ‘go-live’ date. That’s the word from Siyabulela Mhlaluka, Transnet Port Terminals’ divisional executive manager for the container sector. “We are now at a very critical stage in this project but have every reason to be highly confident,” he told FTW. “Our most significant progress – as far as worldclass equipment is concerned – includes the assembly and commissioning of twelve rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) and four Megamax ship-to-shore cranes to date. Two additional ship-to-shores scheduled for delivery in May or June will complete the fleet of six such cranes, while the remainder of the 22 RTGs will be delivered as the programme progresses further,” he said. To be appointed are around 33 driver articulated vehicle operators, as well as cargo controllers, first line managers and supervisors, a SHEQ manager, and support services and administration staff. He says most of the terminal’s infrastructure is in place, final recruitment and training programmes are now in high gear, and Transnet is talking to its customers. Transnet has invested over R10-billion to date to develop the facility as a highperformance terminal. “We already have our core operations staff and 11 expert planners who will be responsible for vessel planning, berth planning, rail planning, traffic control and stack planning,” said Mhlaluka. The 60 000 hectare Ngqura container terminal will open with a capacity of 800 000 TEUs, but by its end state will boast a capacity of two million TEUs.
