The ports industry is in a state of radical change and uncertainty, which requires flexible and adaptable port planning and design.
This is according to Phyllis Difeto, Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) Chief Operations Officer , who delivered the welcome address at the African Ports Evolution 2015 conference at the Durban ICC this week on behalf of Chief Executive, Richard Vallihu.
Difeto outlined the South African port authority’s strategic direction and key projects from 2015 to 2022. Transnet’s Market Demand Strategy – which aims to enable the effective, efficient and economic functioning of an integrated port system to promote economic growth – is in its third year of implementation.
“ We are addressing current challenges in the Port of Durban where depth restrictions demand an urgent program of dredging and berth deepening. In Richards Bay we will create additional container handling capacity through the short term installation of mobile cranes and a medium term expansion for the port to handle up to 100 000 TEUs of containerised cargo ,” she said.
Difeto said that TNPA anticipates major port infrastructure projects between 2015/16 and 2021/22.
Among them, there are two projects to create additional capacity and deeper berths at the Durban Container Terminal, namely the Pier 2 berth deepening and lengthening project and the Pier 1 Phase 2 project also known as the Salisbury Island Infill project.
TNPA is also launching a fleet management program for all ports which includes the acquisition of tug boats, pilot boats, launchers and dredgers.