THE TRANSNET Board has approved capital investment valued at R411 million for the Port of Richards Bay.
This amount will be spent over the next four years. One of the three new projects will include a ferro terminal capable of accommodating and storing transit stock. The terminal has been designed with rail lines providing between 25% and 35% direct shipment, along with rail links directly connected to the new slab, which will be situated in an area that will considerably reduce any possibility of contamination.
A further development of the combi terminal will allow ferro and pig iron to be handled. Other projects here include additional stacking areas along with gantry cranes for scrap and logging operations, as well as wharf cranes and equipment workshops. An adjacent swamp area will be reclaimed.
The third project is a new steel terminal. Phase one will provide warehousing that will offer undercover storage of 20 000 square metres, with a second phase planned which will provide an additional 20 000 square metres undercover.
This terminal will be situated at the new quays 607/608 which are now nearing completion, and which will be equipped with new wharf cranes. Rail tracks with rail gantries are also to be provided capable of accepting all types of steel products using the latest handling methods. Open surfaced storage areas will include yard gantries, and a mechanical workshop and office facilities are included.
Security fencing and security control is to be provided.
By Terry Hutson
