Port of East LondonDeepening and strengthening of the automotive N-BerthThe concrete works package of this project will start in February and last for over 12 months. Stefanutti Stocks was appointed in November last year as a preferred bidder to execute the concrete works package of the project, which will address the inconsistency in berth depth and length to ensure that the three berths along the West Quay are -10.5m (CD) in depth, with a total length of 550 metres. This will allow the Port of East London to simultaneously berth two car carriers along the West Quay. The project will also increase the berth capacity of the automotive terminal of the Port of East London and allow for new-generation vessels to berth in the port.Major infrastructure projects are currently in the developmental phase.Port of Richards BayLiquefied Natural Gas (LNG) TerminalIn January this year, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) announced the appointment of the Vopak Terminal Durban and Transnet Pipelines Consortium Venture as the preferred bidder to develop and operate an LNG terminal at the port. The Consortium Venture is to design, develop, construct, finance, operate and maintain the LNG terminal in the South Dunes precinct at the Richards Bay port for 25 years. The terminal is set to change the economic dynamics of both the port city and KwaZulu-Natal, and will introduce an alternative source of energy as South Africa battles its energy crisis and transitions towards decarbonisation. Project timelines will see the commercial operation during 2027, with the next step being the signing of the terminal operator agreement, which is currently under negotiation.Port of Richards BayNew Liquid Bulk Berth and Common User InfrastructureThis project is currently in its internal tender evaluation process and TNPA plans to appoint a supplier for the development of port common user infrastructure required to support the LNG terminal. The development includes the construction of marine structures such as berths, bollards, fenders and pipe racks. Included in the scope is the development of a gas transmission pipeline for handling LNG imports and bulk services infrastructure. The development of this is planned in conjunction with the execution of the LNG terminal.Port of Richards Bay20-MW Renewable Energy PlantFollowing a Request for Proposals (RFP) process in 2023, TNPA plans to appoint the preferred bidder in 2024 for the development of a 20-MW renewable energy plant. The design works and environmental approvals of the project will commence this year. TNPA’s energy mix plans include the deployment of renewable energy, providing access to LNG, microgrids, battery energy storage systems and backup electricity generator sets, and exploring the future use of green fuels such as ammonia and/or hydrogen in its marine f leet. The timeline for construction of the plant is 2025.Port of Durban Container Terminal (Pier 2)Berth deepening and lengtheningAs part of the R154-billion KZN Ports Master Plan, TNPA issued an RFP in December for a contractor to reconstruct, deepen and lengthen berths 203 to 205 at DCT Pier 2 North Quay over a five-year construction period starting in 2024. The RFP will close on 29 March and an internal evaluation will follow, with plans to award a contractor this year.The effective berth length will be increased from 914m to 1 210m to safely accommodate the simultaneous berthing of three Super Post Panamax vessels of 350m in length and draught of 14.5m. Super Post Panamax vessels currently take up two berths on the North Quay which decreases port container capacity. An added benefit of increasing the draught is the enablement of vessels requiring a draught deeper than 12.2m to enter the port at any time, thereby reducing the queue of vessels waiting at anchorage and reliance on entering the channel at high tide. This megaproject is one of the TNPA KZN Logistic Hub’s initiatives of positioning the Port of Durban as an international container hub, by growing its container volume capacity from 2.9 million TEUs to 11.4 million TEUs.Port of East LondonDesalination PlantThis year, TNPA will appoint a service provider for the supply of a sweater desalination plant at the port, as part of efforts to ensure consistent availability of freshwater supply. The appointed service provider is required to design, construct, operate, and maintain a 0.5 mega-litres (ML) per-day desalination plant. The plant will produce potable water in line with drinking water quality standards.Port of Cape TownDevelopment of Culemborg logistics parkTNPA will this year issue an RFP for the design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed Culemborg Intermodal Logistics Precinct. This process emanates from the outcome of the Request for Information process which closed in November 2023. In terms of the Port Development Framework Plan (PDFP) for the Port of Cape Town, the expansion of the port requires the development of land parcels near the port to create the additional back-of-port capacity. In accordance with the PDFP, the Culemborg Precinct is earmarked for mixed-use functionality.
