Port of Durban gets Solas-ready

The Port of Durban has taken
positive steps to ensure it is
Solas-ready come July 1.
Transnet spokesman
Mboniso Sigonyela said the port was
updating its operating systems - both
the Navis and GCOS processes - to
introduce new fields in current
export documents to comply with
Solas verification requirements.
“The export documents will be
reconfigured on Navis and GCOS
to include the new fields. Our role is
to ensure that every container has
the three new fields requirement
updated before entering the terminal.
In an effort to ensure a smooth
transition, we are engaging with
relevant stakeholders in the maritime
industry to sensitise them on the new
requirement,” Sigonyela said.
The port had upgraded the Navis
system from version 2.3 to a 2.6,
which provided enhanced handling
capability as the volume of containers
continued to increase, and it had
introduced the International Port
Management System, he added.
Tandem lift cranes with the
capability of handling four 20 foot
containers or two 40 foot containers
simultaneously on the North
Quayside had also been recently
acquired.
He added that Transnet was
expanding quayside infrastructure,
maintenance dredging and scourer
protection and had introduced
cutting edge cargo handlingequipment
such as mobile harbour
cranes and ship-to-shore cranes in
order to improve efficiencies.
“We will continue to upgrade our
mobile fleet such as straddle carriers
and rubber tyre gantry cranes,” he
said.
CAPTION
The Port of Durban. Photo: Transnet Port Terminals