Transnet reveals time-table for PE bulk facilities

Deadlines for the closure of the manganese and bulk liquids facilities in the port of Port Elizabeth have been finalised by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). Rajesh Dana, port manager in the Port of Port Elizabeth, told FTW that the plan was to “operationalise” a new 16-million-tons-ayear manganese export terminal in the port of Ngqura and to move all operations from Port Elizabeth to Ngqura by the second quarter of 2017. Initial design work started in the second quarter of 2012. FTW understands this move is independent of the rail upgrade, as the current infrastructure is capable of handling up to six million tons a year, while the existing terminal has a capacity of 5.5 million tons. Construction work is due to start on the “manganese project” in the port of Ngqura from the second quarter of 2013, with exports flowing from the first quarter of 2017. TNPA will be putting the operation of the terminal out to tender in compliance with the Ports Act. It would then take 21 months to decommission the manganese export facility in the Port Elizabeth harbour. There will be a two-year delay in the movement of bulk liquids from Port Elizabeth to Ngqura. Instead of the previously announced target date of 2014, the liquid bulk will be moved in the first quarter of 2016 in order to “guarantee uninterrupted fuel supply and afford all port stakeholders the opportunity to accommodate various new business development requests for the port of Ngqura,” he said. Plans for a liquid bulk handling and storage facility in Ngqura are potentially being influenced by a proposed oil refinery in the Coega Industrial Development Zone. According to Dana, there is sufficient land available to accommodate the storage requirements of a refinery.