Richards Bay port terminal operations resumed on Friday night after Transnet National Ports Authority lifted a notice to comply with environmental requirements, the port announced at the weekend
Richards Bay Terminals said in a statement released on Saturday that operations were back to normal after the port had complied with a TNPA compliance notice to clear waste tyres and a stockpile of mineral bulk waste within the terminals’ premises.
“The terminals presented an implementation plan to the Ports Authority and some of the environmental management commitments contained in the plan are already in progress. Transporters are urged to use the mandatory truck booking system to ensure that trucks do not call the terminals at the same time,” Richards Bay Terminals said.
“The Richards Bay Terminals would like to apologise to all stakeholders for the inconvenience the temporary closure has caused. We are grateful for the partnership and understanding that customers have demonstrated during this time,” it said.
TNPA issued a statement advising that it was continuing to implement measures to clear the backlog of trucks at the port, after suspending operations of one of its terminal operators.
“The terminal operator has since presented an implementation plan and committed to resolving the environmental management issues stipulated in the certificate. It has been noted that the terminal operator has already started implementing the remedial action,” TNPA said.
Managing executive in the Eastern Region, Moshe Motlohi, said the ports authority would closely monitor the terminal operator’s execution of its plan.
TNPA encouraged cargo owners to use the truck booking and colour-coding systems when dispatching trucks to the port.
“As previously communicated, the port can only accommodate and service an agreed number of trucks per shift.”
