Work almost completed on RB coal line KEVIN MAYHEW AS PART of its mandate to provide core skills for Transnet, Protekon Port Solutions has assisted with healthy improvements to the ports of both Durban and Richards Bay over the past year through its dedicated offices at the two ports. “We have the skills to assist with both port and rail improvements necessary for Transnet to meet its future ambitions as a world class provider of rail, port and petro-pipeline facilities in terms of its re-structuring,” executive manager of Protekon in Durban, John Powell, told FTW. Protekon is currently involved in two rehabilitation projects that have a direct bearing on the capacity of the two ports. Work has almost been completed on the R18m project for formation rehabilitation of the Maqwabe section of the Richards Bay Coal Line. Ever-increasing demand for coal resulted in higher export tonnages and higher axle loadings which damaged the substructure of the almost 30-year old track. For safety a choice had to be made between imposing speed restrictions which would have resulted in reduced tonnage throughputs on the line, or pre-emptive track formation rehabilitation to prevent the imposition of speed restrictions. On the country’s premier transport corridor, the R74,5m project to rehabilitate ageing overhead traction equipment on the Merrivale to Nottingham section of the line is about 26% complete. The overall 30-month contract will extend from Merrivale to Estcourt and the rehabilitation will result in easier maintenance and increased capacity on the line in the future. Ship loader Protekon has also successfully completed the R45m contract for a new multi-purpose ship loader and materials handling facility for Agriport at Berth 8, Maydon Wharf, in Durban. The Agriport project is part of a public/private sector initiative in which NCT Wood Chips has invested R80m for a wood chipping and storage facility adjacent to the Agriport. Agriport represents the public sector component as it is a Transnet subsidiary, Powell explained. The company has also completed the R3m National Ports Authority contract for the upgrading of the fire protection system at the Port of Richards Bay. Protekon’s John Powell…contracting to Transnet to meet its goals for world class service on rail at Durban and Richards Bay ports.
