RICHARDS BAY receives by far the biggest chunk of this year's budgeted Capex - a whopping R540 million.
The general cargo quay wall is being extended by 700 metres and will be completed within this year. In addition considerable upgrading of the dry-bulk terminal is underway, and includes a new grab ship unloader, a mobile harbour crane and hopper, a third import conveyor route, a Ôsuper-sucker' vacuum cleaner, new sheds, and additional rails for the wagon loading station.
The export section of this terminal gets a new general purpose shiploader and two additional conveyor systems plus two shiploaders for the east and west jetties.
Improvements to the combi terminal and bulk terminals were reported in detail in FTW July 18, 1997. These include a new ferro terminal capable of storing materials and facilities that will allow ferro and pig iron to be handled. A major warehouse project for storing steel is planned.
Approximately R100-m will be spent on capital infrastructure projects including a fire system at berth 209, additional power supplies, additional berths at quays 607 and 608, strengthening of the north and south piers at the port entrance, plus a new finger jetty for the dry bulk terminal.
Marine services at the port involve the re-engining of the tug RH Tarpey to be completed this year, and also the purchase of an additional tug, for which the expenditure will be spread over the next three years.
