The Port of Richards Bay’s Bulk Terminal completed the loading of a massive, record tonnage of magnetite, a key commodity in the manufacturing of steel, last week.
Transnet Port Terminals said in a statement on Tuesday that the terminal had loaded 192 400 tons of magnetite onto a single vessel, the 300-metre-long Seacon Africa, which sailed for China a day ahead of schedule, on Friday.
This was the largest magnetite consignment to be loaded onto a vessel in the history of the terminal’s operations. The operational team averaged a loading rate of 1 699 tons per hour over five days, 54% above the normal loading rate.
Newly appointed Richards Bay Terminals managing executive, Kwazi Mabaso, said the technical and operating team had displayed commitment to achieve the mammoth task.
“We loaded Seacon Africa consistently and with little delays, thanks to the leadership of the terminal manager and his team, as well as the cooperation between ourselves and the Palabora Mining Company team.”
A total of 39 magnetite trains pulling 80 wagons each were offloaded at a cycle of 18 wagons per hour through the terminal’s Tippler 2, which underwent refurbishments two years ago.
This comes after the terminal had to introduce alternative cargo handling methods for impacted commodities after two fires broke out in October 2021, damaging nine of 86 conveyor routes. The terminal currently runs a hybrid operation of both skips and conveyors to ensure continuity.
“We are turning the corner. More and more we are achieving targets on vessels and across some commodities. We have exceeded year to date in planned volumes,” Mabaso added.
The Richards Bay Bulk Terminal handles about five million tons of magnetite annually, in line with the parastatal’s new strategy. It is the only magnetite operation within the stable of 16 sea cargo and three inland terminals.
Magnetite exports have gradually increased as demand for iron oxide, which serves as a crucial ingredient in the manufacturing of steel, has risen.
