Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) six-berth reconstruction project at the Maydon Wharf Precinct in the Port of Durban has reached another milestone with Berth 13 and 14 now deeper and safer for bigger ships calling at the port.
Transnet Group Capital (TGC) – which is executing this major project on behalf of TNPA – completed work on Berth 13 and 14 within the project’s timeframe. On Friday, January 13, the Port of Durban serviced Bright Sky, the first vessel to use the common-user berth 14 after reconstruction of both the berths and a handover to port’s operations. Both berth 13 and 14 are now fully operational.
Port of Durban manager, Moshe Motlohi, said: “The handing over of these two berths marks a great milestone for one of the oldest ports in the country. It talks to safety improvements and revamping of infrastructure which will further enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of our ports.”
The R1.5-billion project for reconstruction and deepening of six Maydon Wharf Berths –
1 to 4, 13 and 14 – was awarded to Stefanutti Stocks AXSYS Joint Venture in 2014.
Once completed the berths will have a draught of 14.5 metres, enabling them to handle vessels with draughts up to 13 metres, making these berths the deepest berths in the Port of Durban. However, the Maydon Wharf access channel will still need to be deepened thereafter to enable deeper-draught vessels to sail in fully laden.
The project to reconstruct and repair all six berths is expected to be completed by 2018.
