Please don't berth them at the coal terminal, say tour operators THE PORT of Richards Bay seems determined not to be left out of the increasing demand for cruise ship destinations, and local entrepreneurs have become involved in seeing that Portnet berths visiting ships at an appropriate berth.
This follows a Portnet plan to berth these visitors at, of all places, the coal terminal, instead of a slightly more attractive position like the combi terminal.
Already one vessel, the Gripsholm, has been berthed at the coal terminal, much to the annoyance of tour operators, traders and taxi firms. As a result a meeting was hurriedly arranged between Portnet and the Richards Bay Tourism Association in time to re-route the luxury liner Europa which called at the port last month for a 12-hour visit.
Portnet says it is concerned that the combi terminal has heavy machinery and vehicles buzzing around which pose a hazard to passengers because it is a working terminal. The area is also off-limits to the public. On the other hand, the small craft harbour and waterfront development is not deep enough to cater for large ocean-going cruise ships, although all other infrastructure is there.
Portnet is understood to have invited private enterprise to submit proposals which might include improving the facilities and depth at the small craft harbour and waterfront area.
Terry Hutson
