Recession allows breathing space for Durban upgrades

At least 15% of the yard at the Port of Durban is currently under construction. According to Mteteleli Memani, outgoing assistant terminal executive manager: operations at the port, this is all part of the expansion plans of the port aimed at increasing capacity. “The capacity of the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) is 36 million TEUs, but this is not fully realised at present with some 15% of the yard under construction,” he said. “We did a thorough investigation of the yard in preparation for the Market Demand Strategy (MDS) that will see major refurbishment and expansion over the next seven years with work already under way.” He said while berth 203 was completely closed for refurbishment, there were several other areas that were receiving attention. “In one area we are repairing several slabs that collapsed, while at the same time we are also making repairs to areas where slabs were about to collapse.” He said while much of the work had been commissioned by TPT there was also ongoing construction authorised by the Port Authority (TNPA) as part of its refurbishment plans and in accordance with the MDS. “TNPA is busy strengthening the quay walls of berth 203 as well as dredging it at present, while TPT is busy laying the tracks for the new cranes that have been purchased.” TPT will take delivery of seven new tandem lift cranes in December this year. Each of these cranes can handle four 20-foot containers, increasing capacity significantly, said Memani. “This is all very exciting stuff for us as we are really going to be able to increase productivity with the new equipment that is arriving.” He said construction of the new tracks for the cranes was expected to be complete at the berth by no later than October. “Once we have completed the construction at berth 203 we will re-open it and then move to berth 204 where new rail tracks have to be laid. Three of the new tandem lift cranes will be installed at this berth while the other four are intended for Berth 203.” Memani said to ensure customers did not experience any delays due to the ongoing construction, the Durban ro-ro terminal was also handling containers at present. “Volumes have been lower than expected so we have not needed to divert as many containers as we had anticipated. While the recession both locally and globally has been very negative, it has at the same time given us a bit of space to be able to do the necessary upgrades,” he said. “But with 15% of the stack decommissioned we can now fix the bruises and dents to the yard.” CAPTION: Construction under way at berth 203 at Pier 2 at the Durban Port.