Economic downturn buys time for Portnet
THE EXPANSION of the Port of Durban's multi-million rand container project received the consensual go-ahead from the public stakeholders forum held at the port last week, even if it was not the decision everyone anticipated.
After a five hour meeting representatives of shipping, Portnet, business, city planners, labour, environmentalists, property owners and bay users emerged armed with a compromise agreement that calls for a beginning to be made this year on deep water berths at the Point and the relocation of the combi terminal to this site. This would permit Pier 1 to become a much needed extension to the existing container terminal, providing slots for an additional 100 000 plus TEUs.
This far-reaching decision became possibleonly because container growth has been below expectations. "Initial projections of container growth of 8% per year have not materialised in the past two years," says Portnet, thereby implying that more time is available before additional capacity is required.
During this 'window of opportunity' studies are to be undertaken to determine whether an alternative for the controversial expansion of Pier 2 adjacent to the central sandbank exists - the much publicised Phase 1 development. Portnet has also undertaken to start planning without delay for the re-creation of the potentially lost natural habitat caused by Phase 1, which will allow time to demonstrate the functionality of this man-made habitat before construction begins. This relates to creating a new 'Little Lagoon' somewhere else within the harbour.
Proposals relating to a new dig out port at the airport site should also now be considered as the long term solution to Durban's container question, says the agreement.
The forum agreed that if Phase 1 (berths 206-207) does not ultimately proceed or if new long term options should prove unviable (such as the new dig-out port) then Portnet should extend Pier 1 eastwards towards Salisbury Island to provide a new and large new container area. This latter proposal does not have unanimous agreement however, with a minority view saying that further infilling of water areas in the bay and the visual impact were not desirable.
The compromise agreement also means that Portnet will have to go to considerable greater expense finding fill for the Point area project - this was to have come from spoil taken from Pier 2 dredging.
These decisions will now go to Portnet head office and government for their consideration.
By Terry Hutson
