Dredging finally under way at CT terminal

Dredging of the Cape Town multipurpose (MPV) terminal is finally under way after several delays to the project. The dredger arrived in Cape Town earlier this year to start work on the terminal which is part of the container terminal. Smaller container vessels are handled at this terminal and it plays an extremely important role during heavy winds when the container terminal is wind bound. Because of its location the MPV terminal is not as affected by wind and can continue operations far longer than the container terminal. This is due to the location of the terminal which is somewhat protected by the mountains in the city. The decision to dredge the terminal will improve its handling capacity, allowing it to accommodate slightly bigger vessels. “It will not handle the very big vessels and that is not our intention,” Pam Yoyo, Cape Town Container Terminal manager told FTW earlier this year. “Our goal really is to slightly improve the capacity so that we are able to use it more efficiently.” She said the terminal was also used to improve wind recovery efforts. By handling smaller vessels it has helped prevent congestion. Dredging was due to have started last year but due to the unavailability of a dredger the project was placed on hold until the beginning of this year. It was then further delayed for unknown reasons but the first phase is believed to have been completed. INSERT & CAPTION Our goal really is to slightly improve the capacity so that we are able to use it more efficiently. – Pam Yoyo