Transnet Port Terminals’ (TPT) Saldanha Iron Ore Terminal (IOT) has loaded 15.6 million tons in the first four months of the 2020/21 financial year, meeting 76% of its contract obligations, despite Covid-19 restrictions.
According to a Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) statement, the same period last year saw the terminal load just over 18 million tons of ore.
During the week of June 29 to July 5, the iron ore terminal beat its target of 967 000 tons, loading 1.2 million tons. It set an operating norm of 8 847 tons per hour, according to the statement.
TPT’s General Manager for operations at the Cape Channel, Louis du Toit, said the terminal had lost 182 hours of load time due to heavy storms and winds between April and July.
“That brought the terminal to a halt. If it had not been for the adverse weather, we would certainly have loaded another 1.4 million tons of ore,” said Du Toit.
He added that the terminal had been fully operational since the beginning of August.
“We have a great team of people who are doing their best to meet our service level agreement terms with our clients. TPT has provided all staff with training and ongoing reminders about the need to be extra vigilant about their health at work and at home, and our employees are taking it seriously,” he said.
TPT’s Saldanha Iron Ore Terminal remains the largest iron ore export facility in Africa and the fourth largest serving eastern markets.
