TRANSNET National Ports Authority has issued a Request for Proposals for a contractor to reconstruct, deepen and lengthen berths at Durban Container Terminal’s (DCT) Pier 2 North Quay at the Port of Durban over a 5-year construction period starting in 2024.
As an initiative within Transnet’s R154 billion KZN Ports Master Plan Plan, the project aims to improve efficiencies and reduce costs for vessels calling at the port by deepening berths 203, 204 and 205, as well as the basin and approach channel from 12.8m to 16.5m.
TNPA said on Monday that the RFP for the multi-billion-rand main marine construction works package has gone out on tender following all the necessary internal governance approvals and environmental approvals, which were secured in 2015 from competent authorities.
The effective berth length will be increased from 914m to 1,210m to safely accommodate the simultaneous berthing of three super post-Panamax vessels of 350m in length and draft of 14.5m. Super post-Panamax vessels currently take up two berths on the North Quay which decreases port container capacity.
A benefit of increasing the draft is that vessels requiring a draft deeper than 12.2m will not need to wait for high tide to enter the channel. The ability to enter at any time should reduce the queue of vessels waiting at anchorage.
This delayed mega project is one of TNPA KZN Logistic Hub’s initiatives to position the Port of Durban as an international container, by growing its container volume capacity from 2.9 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 11.4 million TEUs as per the Transnet Segment Strategy.
The segment strategy also seeks to position the port as a premium automotive hub, increasing its automotive capacity from 520,000 fully built units (FBU) per annum to 1 million FBU. These efforts will enable effective, efficient and economic functioning of an integrated port system to promote economic growth, TNPA said.
“The increased size of container vessels calling the Port of Durban has necessitated a project of this magnitude, as DCT Pier 2 berths are now operating beyond their original design specification 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.
RFP documents are available with a briefing session scheduled for January 29, 2024, and the deadline for responses is March 29, 2024.
