Dredging fleet renewal on course

There has been one piece of truly
good news from Transnet National
Ports Authority (TNPA).
The authority is continuing with
maintenance dredging and pushing
forward its R2-billion dredging
f leet replacement programme.
The short-term plan is for the
Italeni grab hopper dredger to
continue to dredge along the berth
pockets of the DCT, while the
Impisi plough tug is to continue
to dredge in the port. And it is
intended that Italeni will remain
in Durban until the port takes
delivery of a hired dredger. And
one that will hopefully fulfil its
promised dredging capability. This
unlike the recently hired Subtech
dredger which, using airlift,
proved ineffective, according to
Durban harbour master Captain
Alex Miya, and the 12.8 metre
depth could not be achieved.
TNPA will also be taking
delivery of its new Ilembe suction
hopper dredger in December
2015. It will be used for dredging
larger areas such as the entrance
channels.
It has also received approval
to build a new grab hopper
dredger, which it promises will be
dedicated to the port – and should
be delivered by the end of 2016.