New licence unleashes Mossel Bay opportunities

ED RICHARDSON A WIDER range of cargo handling opportunities has opened up in Mossel Bay following the granting of an operating licence for stevedoring services to P&O Ports Nationwide Cargo Terminals SA in July this year. The company is the only registered holder of this licence which, according to Phil Keevy, the Port Elizabeth-based branch manager of P & O Ports Nationwide Cargo Terminals SA, has changed the operation of the Mossel Bay harbour. Specialised ships now have access to a wide range of services in the port. According to SA Port Operations, Mossel Bay harbour caters mainly for fishing and service craft for the local oil industry and in the past handled little besides commercial cargo. An increasing number of ships for the emerging oil industry (several oil rigs operate off Mossel Bay) call at Mossel Bay. Supply vessels make use of two buoys anchored outside the port. In keeping with this industry a full diving service is available for underwater inspection, hull cleaning, salvage and the like. Bunkering is available at quays 2,3 and 5 and on the jetty. Ships chandling and now stevedoring services are also on offer. One of the first challenges for the company in Mossel Bay was to offload equipment for Eskom’s new open-cycle gas turbine power station in the port, which took place in August. Keevy also believes the new licence opens greater opportunities for importing and exporting through Mossel Bay. In Port Elizabeth Keevy says business is expected to improve as developments at the Coega Industrial Development Zone draw more investment and create business opportunities. The company has strong interest in the Port of Ngqura and an overseas delegation from the P & O Ports Nationwide Cargo Terminals SA head office was due to visit the deepwater port this month.