Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is pulling out all the stops to address challenges at its ship repair facilities at the Port of Cape Town. In a recent presentation to the Port Liaison Forum (PLF), an initiative of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, representatives of TNPA said this included all four wharf cranes at the Sturrock Dry Dock (SDD) currently being issued with stop certificates. This comes after an incident at the dry dock in August when the jib of one of the cranes broke in the middle. While the jib was removed in September, as a safety precaution, all four cranes have subsequently been issued with stop certificates pending condition assessments. Also problematic at SDD is the main pump that remains out of commission. An additional point of concern is the CCTV cameras at the ship repair facilities. TNPA has indicated that it will increase the number of cameras to improve monitoring of the entire facility. “Another challenge that we have is vessel overstays. Some vessels spend time that is way beyond their booked time period,” a TNPA representative said. “The introduction of penalty fees is imminent. We have made a submission to the office of the Port Regulator.” Commenting on the Syncrolift, TNPA said it had been closed for a period in September for mandatory annual maintenance. This included dredging the sediment build-up beneath the platform which allowed it to move further to the bottom. The facility was already back in operation, he said. “We still have water recovery challenges at the Robinson Dry Dock (RDD) and Syncrolift, but our engineering department has been requested to come up with remedial action.” The engineering department was also carrying out repairs on the water meters at the facility as well as a water pipe at RDD which is shared with the V&A Waterfront.