Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has delivered six hydraulic shore tension units to the Ports of Cape Town and Ngqura to help curb shipping and cargo-handling delays caused by high swells at the busy ports.
TNPA said the latest delivery brought the total number of mooring units delivered to the ports to 12 as part of a batch of 52 units procured in September 2023. Eight new units were also previously installed at the ports prior to the acquisition.
Shipping and cargo handling operations at Cape Town and Ngqura ports are often impacted by strong winds reaching 35 to 50 knots and high sea swells exceeding 3.5 metres. These inclement weather conditions cause operational and safety disruptions leading to delays in vessel movements. The hydraulic tension mooring unit, a system placed on the quayside, ensures the safety of docked vessels by mitigating the severity of long-wave effects on vessels.
The benefits of the system include minimised downtime and safety incidents during operations.
CMA CGM South Africa, National Operations Manager, Leon Reddy, welcomed the delivery of the units.
“The introduction of the shore tension units at the Port of Cape Town has significantly improved our vessel operations. With the ability to keep our vessels stable and secure alongside the berth, we have seen a notable reduction in vessel movement and ranging,” Reddy said.
“This has resulted in increased container productivity and reduced port stay times, leading to improved overall efficiency and reduced costs. We support TNPA's initiative to invest in additional shore tension units and look forward to continued co-operation to enhance port operations."
TNPA’s procurement of the 52 shore tension units will be allocated as follows: 16 units for the Port of Cape Town with six delivered, 14 for the Port of Durban, eight for the Port of Port Elizabeth, six for the Port of Ngqura with all six delivered, four for the Port of Saldanha and four for the Port of Richards Bay.
The phased delivery of the rest of the units will be completed by early 2025.
TNPA said the timely delivery solidified the execution of Transnet’s recovery plan, which aims to improve operational efficiencies and increase the value of service to customers.
