By Nosihle Shelembe
Significant progress has been made in improving operational and capacity-related challenges that have plagued the Port of Durban in recent years.
As a facilitator in trade and contributor to the economy, the Port of Durban was grappling with backlogs, equipment shortages, and ageing infrastructure.
To minimise the impact on the South African economy, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) implemented a number of urgent interventions to ensure the port and cargo handling services to businesses in South Africa and beyond were efficient.
Handling approximately 60% of South Africa’s container traffic, the Port of Durban located in KwaZulu-Natal, is the largest and busiest container terminal in Africa.
It plays a critical role in the national economy by facilitating trade and managing large volumes of cargo — including containers, vehicles, dry bulk, break bulk, and liquid bulk.
This activity supports business operations, job creation, factory productivity, tourism, and ultimately helps bring revenue into the country.
In addition to its cargo operations, the port also offers a range of marine services such as dredging, navigational aids, ship repairs, marine operations, and pilotage.
“As Transnet, we have been implementing our recovery plan, which is aimed at improving operational efficiency. The initiative started at the height of the congestion that took place in November 2023 through January 2024.
“From a TNPA point of view, particularly at the Port of Durban, we started daily operational meetings with all our stakeholders to make sure that we deal with the issue.
“It also became necessary to use our capital expenditure to acquire new cargo handling equipment, expand the tug jetty and upgrade the road infrastructure at the port,” TNPA Acting Port Manager, Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, said during a media tour at the port.
Transnet has been rolling out several initiatives aimed at improving both operational efficiency and financial performance.
These efforts focus on improving the availability and reliability of rolling stock, strengthening the rail network, ensuring access to critical spare parts, and enhancing maintenance of both rail and port infrastructure.
Investment
As part of its Recovery Plan, Transnet invested R3.4 billion this year to strengthen its equipment fleet, with the Durban Container Terminal (DCT) receiving the bulk of this investment.
The new equipment for DCT includes four ship-to-shore cranes for the South Quay, 40 haulers and 67 trailers, which are scheduled to arrive between April and December 2025.
This equipment will replace ageing machinery at the Durban Container Terminals Pier 1 and Pier 2, improving cargo handling capacity and speed.
In 2023, TNPA also acquired seven new tugboats at a cost of R1 billion, five of which were assigned to the Port of Durban, with two sent to the Port of East London.
“We invested in some equipment such as tugs. Tugs assist from a marine services point of view, as they are designed to manoeuvre other vessels by pulling or pushing them. We are making sure that we have the right equipment to ensure the improvements of the ship turnaround time,” Ben-Mazwi said.
A tugboat is a small vessel designed to guide and tow larger ships within confined harbours and narrow canals. They facilitate the safe passage of large ships through narrow channels, busy stretches, and shallow water.
“This acquisition forms part of TNPA’s Marine Fleet Renewal Programme, which is an important element of Transnet’s efforts to revitalise South Africa’s ports and support economic growth.
“As the busiest port in sub-Saharan Africa, the additional fleet will enable the Port of Durban’s readiness to respond with [an] on-demand craft in the safe navigation of vessels within the port,” the Acting Port Manager said.
As part of ongoing efforts to modernise the port, TNPA completed the Tug Jetty Expansion Project in 2023. This involved the construction of a new jetty adjacent to the existing one, providing improved berthing for tugboats and enhancing their operational readiness.
Road rehabilitation
Due to the increased number of trucks entering the port, which has led to the deterioration of road conditions, TNPA invested R233 million to rehabilitate roads in key precincts such as container terminals Maydon Wharf and Island View (liquid bulk).
“Most of the container volumes handled are moved through the Southern Road Network of the port and over the years, the influx of trucks entering the port has substantially increased. The intensified surge has led to the deterioration of the overall road infrastructure.
“The road rehabilitation project will ensure that TNPA delivers on its mandate of providing port infrastructure to ensure the port’s efficient functioning as the economic gateway to the South African economy,” Ben-Mazwi said.
Improving operations
The Prince Edward Dry Dock, built in the 1920s, remains a key facility for ship repair, maintenance, rescue services and vessel certification. Located in Durban, it contributes to the local economy by creating employment opportunities in marine engineering and ship repair industries.
“There are many other projects that we are doing to ensure that we improve operations, enable the economy of South Africa to grow and ensure that we do not destroy existing jobs. We remain resolute in making sure that we achieve that,” Ben-Mazwi said.
In March this year, Transnet issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the appointment of a terminal operator to design and transfer a multi-purpose terminal handling agricultural dry bulk and other compatible cargo in the Maydon Wharf Precinct, Port of Durban.
With the precinct extending approximately 145 hectares, featuring 15 berths and boasting capacity of over seven million tons of cargo annually, it primarily serves as a mixed-use area hosting cargo terminal for dry bulk, break bulk, a limited amount of liquid bulk and a small number of containerised units.
Interested parties were invited to submit proposals to design, develop, fund, construct, operate, maintain, and transfer the terminal for a 25-year concession period.
The issuance of the RFP signified Transnet’s ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the Port of Durban.
By attracting capable terminal operators, Transnet aims to modernise infrastructure, optimise cargo handling and strengthen the port’s role as a key trade gateway for the region. - SAnews.gov.za
