CT dredging to begin this month

Dredging of Berths F, G and H at the Port of Cape Town is expected to start within the next few weeks after a hold-up lasting several months. While port authorities were reluctant to comment, saying only that there had been “challenges in getting the dredger”, it is rumoured that the machine commissioned for Cape Town had been in use in Mozambique and on its return had to undergo massive repairs resulting in the delay. Port engineer Mazwi Mdletshe told FTW that dredging would commence in the first or second week of February. He could not confirm the rumours, saying only that the dredger was en route to Cape Town and if it remained on schedule the first phase of dredging in the multipurpose terminal would be completed by February 17. Last week TNPA announced that construction of a new dredger was under way, with an earlier-thanexpected delivery date. The suction hopper dredger, once delivered, will be the largest in Africa. INSERT & CAPTION If all goes according to schedule the first phase of dredging in the multi-purpose terminal will be completed by February 17. – Mazwi Mdletshe