Transnet has identified the Port of Richards Bay as one of three ports to support its natural gas strategy, while it will also handle more bulk commodities. According to Moshe Motlohi, Port of Durban port manager, plans are already under way to relocate at least 80% of the liquid bulk operations from Durban to the Port of Richards Bay.“ We will also be relocating the entire dry bulk terminal to the Port of Richards Bay,” he said, indicating that these commodities would no longer be handled in Durban. This is part of the overall strategy to transform the Port of Durban into a regional container hub port. Motlohi said the harbour in Richards Bay was a strategic industrial port and far better equipped to handle liquid and dry bulk. The port has proved its capability and is the primary channel for the export of commodities such as coal, chrome and magnetite. “It makes business sense to move these commodities to Richards Bay,” he said. It has been reported that liquid bulk lease sites and berths have already been identified in the South Dune precinct of the port.
