Transnet National Ports Authority (T N PA) i s set to allocate a significant portion of its 2024/25 budget towards revitalising the Port of East London. This investment marks a crucial shift, recognising the historical undercapitalisation of this port compared to others in the country.According to Siya Mhlaluka, managing executive of the central region, the Port of East London is set to receive about R243 million, a significant portion of the region's total budget of R2.4 billion. In comparison, the Port of Ngqura will receive R121m, and the Port of Port Elizabeth will be allocated R58m. This distribution ref lects a strategic focus on enhancing infrastructure and capabilities across key ports in the region.Strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the Port of East London include the following: deepening and strengthening the N-berth, replacing two graving dock jib cranes to enable the ship repair facility, and acquiring two tugboats. “The contract for the two tugs is already in place and we will be seeing delivery of these soon. All of the plans for the port are aimed at boosting the marine infrastructure and f leet availability to enable key sectors of the local economy,” said Mhlaluka.He confirmed that construction of the N-berth project had commenced and would be completed in October this year.He added that by increasing the berth capacity of the automotive terminal, the port would in future be able to handle far more modern automotive carriers. “This is an extremely niche port that serves the agriculture and automotive sectors in particular. Ensuring we are able to meet the needs of these sectors remains a priority,” he said, indicating that other plans included the purchase of fire and emergency equipment as well as an upgrade of the security fencing.At the Port of Ngqura, Mhlaluka said the impact of the hydraulic tension mooring units was already being seen, with the port mitigating the severity of long-wave effects on vessels. A second set of these units was installed earlier this month, with four more units on order.According to Mhlaluka, eight of these units will also be installed at the Port of Port Elizabeth, where a lot of effort is being made to deliver a cleaner port considering the location of the harbour in the cit y.“In Port Elizabeth we have upgraded the 1 200-tonne slipway and can now cater for a wider range of vessels, including the TNPA tug f leet. The slipway is operational, and while we have had some teething problems, we do have a team on the ground dealing with these challenges.”
