Transnet National Ports Authority has issued a tender for the reconstruction, deepening and lengthening of three berths at Durban Container Terminal’s Pier 2 North Quay at the Port of Durban over a 5-year period starting in 2024.
This mega project aim to improve efficiencies and reduce costs for vessels calling at the port by deepening berths 203,204 and 205 including the basin and approach channel, deepening from 12.8m to 16.5m.
TNPA says the effective length will be increased from 914m to 1210m to safely accommodate the simultaneous berthing of three Super Post Panamax vessels of 350m in length and draft of 14.5m. Super Post Panamax currently take up two berths on the North Quay which decreases port container capacity.
The increasing of the draft will enable vessels requiring a draft deeper than 12.2m to enter the port at any time and will reduce the queue of vessels waiting at anchorage and reliance of entering the channel at high tide.
This mega project is one of the TNPA KZN Logistics Hub’s initiative of positioning the Port of Durban as an international container hub by growing its container volume capacity as per Transnet Segment Strategy.
The segment strategy also seeks to position the port as a premium automotive hub, increasing its automotive capacity. These efforts will enable effective, efficient and economic functioning of an integrated port system to promote economic growth.
“The increased size of container vessels calling the Port of Durban has necessitated a project of this magnitude, as DCT Pier2 berths are now operating beyond their original design specifications regarding water depth. Our continued investment in infrastructure and the modernisation of the Port of Durban’s infrastructure is pivotal in meeting the ever-increasing demands of the maritime industry-in particular the ever-increasing size of container vessels calling at our ports,” said Dr Gasa-Toboti, TNPA Portfolio Director.
DCT Pier 2 is South Africa’s largest container terminal, handles approximately 65% of the total containerised cargo of South Africa and is the main link to the country’s hinterland-supporting the industrial and economic hub, Gauteng.
Responses to be submitted by no later than 29 March 2024 @ 16:00 as per the submissions requirements of the RFP.