Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has concluded negotiations and signed an agreement for the manufacture, supply and delivery of two new helicopters to service the Ports of Durban and Richards Bay.
The AgustaWestland (AW 109) helicopters, valued at around R250 million, are expected to be delivered by June 2019.
“Richards Bay and Durban are the only ports in our complementary port system which use helicopters to transfer marine pilots onto and off visiting vessels,” said TNPA chief executive, Shulami Qalinge. “We have an existing fleet of three AW109 helicopters and this purchase forms part of the fleet replacement programme.
“The acquisition of new helicopters has been a priority for us under the Transnet Market Demand Strategy which among others seeks to improve operational efficiency and safety in our ports.”
The contract for the new helicopters includes a 25% supplier development obligation by the global supplier to ensure that the contract creates socio-economic benefits within South Africa. These would include job creation, skills development and where possible use of local, empowered companies and local materials or parts.
