Early start for RB drydock on the cards

TERRY HUTSON THE PROPOSED dry dock and ship repair facility at Richards Bay has drawn a lot closer and may get underway early in 2006. That’s the word from the black empowered company Imbani Construction that is to partner Chinese interests in developing southern Africa’s first deep water ship repair facility. The National Ports Authority is believed to have approved the feasibility proposal and all that remains is the draft lease agreement. Once this is on the table final detailed planning and costing can begin including the necessary Environmental Impact Assessment. A spokesman for the black empowered partners, Ebenezer Mahloli, told the Zululand Observer last week that he anticipated being on site around February or March next year.