Saldanha to get two more berths in seven years

An additional two berths are to be built at the Port of Saldanha Bay in the next seven years to address the growing demand for capacity in the iron ore terminal. According to the port manager, Willem Roux, the terminal is operating at maximum capacity, handling between 59 and 60 million tonnes of iron ore per annum. “According to the Transnet Market Demand Strategy, some R25 billion has been set aside for the development of the Sishen to Saldanha Bay iron ore line. This money will be spent on both the port expansion and the railway line,” said Roux. “The freight volumes at the port remain dominated by the iron ore export volumes that are forecast to grow from current volumes of 58 million tonnes per annum to more than 120 million annually over a thirty year period.” Roux said liquid bulk volumes of both crude and refined products were also forecast to grow aggressively over the same period, while slower growth of smaller volumes of break bulk and dry bulk cargoes handled at the port was expected. According to Roux, the Port of Saldanha Bay, being the country’s deepest natural port, has many advantages in terms of its natural depth. “It means that very little dredging, that usually comes at a very high cost, has to be done, while the port can handle the bigger vessels that are being used more often.” He said the two new berths would be accompanied by extended stockpiles. “This is a huge ramp-up for the port and will require huge capital investment. Speaking to FTW at the annual Transport Forum held at the Port of Saldanha Bay last week, Roux said the expansion of the multipurpose terminal was also on the cards with new berths and extended quayside planned that could also be used for repairs to oil and gas rigs. CAPTION Some R25 billion has been set aside for the development of the Sishen to Saldanha Bay iron ore line.