Construction work has commenced on Transnet National Ports Authority’s new Off-Shore Supply Base (OSSB) at the Port of Saldanha – one of three priority projects earmarked for the port under the South African government’s Operation Phakisa initiative.
The facility will be the country’s first dedicated and customised facility supporting offshore oil and gas activities and is expected to be commissioned by September 2016. It will serve vessels engaged in supporting offshore exploration and production activities along the west and east coasts of Africa, and calling at South African ports for support and logistics services.
Saldanha port manager, Willem Roux, said the appointed contractor, Basil Read, had commenced preparatory site establishment activities in April this year. The OSSB will be established at the port’s general maintenance quay.
“Construction work will entail infilling the gap of about 80 metres between the existing two quays, refurbishing one portion of the quay and lengthening the quay by 20 metres on either side to create a total quay length of 294 metres. Minor dredging works will provide a depth of 8 metres alongside the overall length of the quay,” said Roux.
He said the OSSB would provide a base for receiving equipment and waste from offshore exploration and production activities as well as providing facilities for loading and shipping of equipment, stores, goods, bunkers and drilling fluids.
Saldanha’s new off-shore supply base gets moving
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