Saldanha Iron Ore Terminal (IOT) starts its annual maintenance shutdown on Thursday, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) announced this week.
TPT said in a statement that the 28-day shutdown would run from 28 September until 26 October, during which time the terminal would perform maintenance on its major equipment across mechanical, electrical, and structural works.
“The entire rail line between the Northern Cape and the Port of Saldanha in the Western Cape will form part of the shutdown, which is an integrated effort between Transnet Port Terminals, Transnet Freight Rail, Transnet National Ports Authority and bulk customers,” TPT said.
However, there will be opportunities for single offloading during the shutdown period.
Part of this year’s terminal maintenance includes the replacement of 9.5 km of the 26-km conveyor belt that is used to move export iron ore.
“Further work will be done on rail, including civil repairs on Tippler 2, the ship loaders as well as the maintenance of the terminal sub-station,” TPT said.
“Maintenance of the terminal’s equipment is imperative in ensuring that the terminal is constantly addressing efficiency and productivity improvements for a better and sustainable terminal operation.”
TPT said the annual shutdown ensured that activities that could not be executed during the terminal’s weekly 12-hour maintenance windows were completed, improving the reliability of equipment.
TPT Managing Executive in the Western Cape Region, Andiswa Dlanga, said: “As the terminal operator, we have a duty to deliver freight reliably and efficiently, and the shutdown affords us an opportunity to ensure that we optimise our equipment reliability and outputs, which is critical in delivering our mandate to customers.
“This period is used to ensure that we preserve our assets as we strive to be a world-class logistics and freight solutions terminal operator, while also providing a safe and conducive environment for our employees.”
Saldanha IOT is the largest iron ore export facility in Africa and South Africa’s only dedicated iron ore terminal, which accounts for about 96% of all iron ore exports from the country, while the remaining 4% move through the Saldanha Multi-Purpose Terminal.
More than 1.3 billion tonnes of iron ore have been exported through Saldanha IOT to date.
