THE PORT of Port Elizabeth is no longer a dumping ground for second-hand equipment from Durban, according to Transnet Port Operations chief operations officer Solly Letsoalo. Speaking at the official inauguration of a new R90-million post-Panamax gantry in the port, Letsoalo said that, despite the fact that Port Elizabeth had been using “any redundant equipment in Durban that was transferred here”, it was the first TPT harbour to hit a target of 25 moves an hour on average. The next target is 28 moves an hour. “Port Elizabeth showed the greatest improvement of all terminals. And that was achieved with old equipment,” he said. Letsoalo wants to see more investment in the port despite the imminent opening of the nearby port of Ngqura. Another three post-Panamax cranes are being considered for the port. The new Liebherr gantry can handle up to 45 moves an hour and is capable of picking up two 20-foot containers in one lift. It is 50 metres high and can reach over 19 rows of containers as opposed to the 13 rows of the older cranes in the harbour. Other investment in the port includes 10 new straddle carriers, 800 reefer points, the refurbishment of the manganese ore handling facility and improved security at the car terminal. The crane was built in Killarney Ireland and shipped to Port Elizabeth at the end of last year. It was then erected and underwent stringent preoperation tests before being fully commissioned. Similar units are on order for Ngqura.
