Three phase improvement programme EAST LONDON has been South Africa's only port without a container crane but this is to be rectified in Portnet's capital expenditure programme.
One crane has been included in the R87,6 million budgeted for the harbour port while another will be purchased at a later date.
It's part of a three-phase improvement plan for the harbour, says Terry Taylor, Portnet's port of East London public relations manager.
The other phases involve the upgrading and extension of the combi terminal and a major conversion in the grain elevator operation.
The current container stacking area is being upgraded from its present capacity of 28 000 TEU per annum to 62 000 TEU pa.
This is well underway, running to schedule and is expected to be completed by the year's end, says Taylor. It has required the demolition of unutilised shed space and the contractors are presently laying the slab. The grain elevator is to be converted from a purely export facility at present to a wholly export-import facility. This has necessitated the installation of a ship unloader and a conveyor belt running along the quayside feeding into the current elevator. When work has been completed the import and export sections will run simultaneously when necessary.
The entire elevator project is in the planning stage and will be put out to tender shortly.
