End of year deadline for phase-in at Richards Bay and Durban
THE TRANSNET board has given Portnet the go-ahead to procure two new helicopters, at a cost of almost R50m, to improve service levels.
The helicopter pilotage system was first introduced as a trial run at the Port of Richards Bay in May 1994, on contract from Court Helicopters. The contract, however, expires at the end of November 1998. The service proved to be so effective that Portnet has decided to procure its own helicopters and to extend the service to the Port of Durban.
A helicopter pilotage
service offers several advantages overpilot boats, according to Portnet.
These include: a faster response time (7,5 minutes
by helicopter as opposed to
42 minutes by pilot boat in Durban and 8 minutes by helicopter as opposed to 45 minutes by pilot boat in Richards Bay); increased productivity for the pilots and tugs and less downtime between ships; a helicopter can operate under more severe weather conditions; safer boarding conditions for pilots (no rope ladders to climb); less dwell time for ships in port.
Taking a conservative view, Portnet estimates that more than 80 ship days per year can be saved.
Following an 18-month feasibility study and intense evaluation of different makes and models of helicopters, Portnet selected the Agusta 109K2 because it believes it is the best-fit, cost-effective available product on the market taking into account minimum safety criteria.
Says Capt. Rick van der Krol: The capacity at our terminals in both Durban and Richards Bay can be enhanced considerably by the use of a helicopter pilotage service. For the client this means a substantial saving in costs by quicker response, less dwell time of ships and a faster turnaround time.
The helicopters will be procured by Viamax Fleet Management, a subsidiary of Transnet , and will be leased to Portnet. The service will commence towards the end of this year.
