Although shipowners are up in arms about shallower berths at the Port of Durban continually cutting into their vessels’ potential payloads, the Durban harbour master says plans are afoot for more dredger horsepower to tackle the problem head-on this year.
TNPA this week received Transnet approval to build a new grab hopper dredger dedicated to the port which should be delivered at the end of 2016. Until this is delivered the Port of Durban will lease an appropriate tool. An official request for proposal is due to be issued shortly.
The port, however, must be gaining a reputation amongst international seafarers as a bit of a backwater harbour - with diminishing berth depths (draughts) continually getting worse at the three main piers.
TNPA says it is not maintenance dredging that is the issue.
To read the full FTW article, click here.
FTW pick: TNPA offers assurances over draught concerns
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