Skiptainers help TPT create new manganese terminal

The introduction of skiptainers has enabled Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) to create a second manganese export terminal in the port of Port Elizabeth. Skiptainers were introduced to meet the growing need for capacity to export manganese as the global demand has risen to 10 million tons a year. “There’s a need to respond to customer demand for manganese export, which is in line with our MDS strategy,” says Joe Ngcongwane, chief operations manager: Ngqura and Port Elizabeth Container Terminals. The first vessel was handled in December 2013, and loaded 30 000 tons of manganese using the skiptainer system. The terminal is expected to handle around one million tons a year, bringing total manganese exports out of Port Elizabeth to 6.1 million tons a year. “The project’s success was made possible by the open and collaborative approach adopted by various divisions of Transnet which facilitated solutions to the demand for manganese export. This further shows our commitment towards growing the economic contribution of our customers,” says Siya Mhlaluka, general manager: TPT Eastern Cape Region. Skiptainers are open top containers which are railed from the Northern Cape to the terminal. Upon arrival, the skiptainers are stacked ahead of the arrival of the ore carrier. Standard ship-to-shore cranes then hoist the skiptainer containing manganese. In the last stage, a specialised rotating RAM spreader dumps the ore into the ship’s hold. A “dust curtain” helps reduce air emission. The Port Elizabeth Container Terminal is ideally suited to utilise this transportation solution as it has no dedicated bulk handling equipment, but ample berth and open stacking capacity, which is currently underutilised, according to Ngcongwane. THE STATISTICS Waterside operation ► 4 ship-to-shore cranes ► 13 containers across deck, two with rotating spreader compatibility. ► 2 berths~ berth 103 preferred for manganese Staffing ► The terminal is resourced as a four-team operation on landside and waterside. Landside operation ► 18 straddle carriers ► 1 over 3 height stacking ► 2 straddles per crane Rail operation ► 2 rail tracks at 25 wagons each ► 4 straddles allocated two per rail track Ground slots ► 494 ground slots to accommodate 40 000 ton parcel sizes