The agreement covers design, fabrication, delivery, erection, testing and commissioning of the cranes, which will be delivered later this year.
The terminal, which mainly handles bulks, agri-bulk and ro-ro cargo, has experienced a steady increase in container volumes that are currently handled using vessel-mounted cranes and reachstackers. The arrival of the MHCs will complement the Durban Container Terminal’s (DCT) existing capacity, helping to reduce vessel delays thereby improving service efficiency.
Although the terminal has two berths with sufficient draught to load and off-load containers, work has started on an additional container berth at Maydon Wharf; the work will include strengthening the quay wall and deepening its draught.
“The investment in these assets is part of our aggressive drive to improve infrastructure and facilities at all our terminals,” says Karl Socikwa, chief executive of Transnet Port Terminals.
“During the course of the current financial year we have bought seven tandem lift [ZPMC] ship-to shore cranes, the largest of their kind deployed at any container terminal in the Southern Hemisphere,” he added.
In addition, TPT has recently taken delivery of two cranes which are currently being assembled at the Ngqura Container Terminal, adding to the terminal’s existing fleet of six mega ship-to-shore cranes.
In total, TPT has bought 15 cranes for container-handling throughout its terminals during the last nine months as part of our accelerated fleet renewal programme – a key element of Transnet’s efficiency improvement drive.
“Over and above business impact, the contract for the six mobile cranes will contribute to the Department of Public Enterprises’ Supplier Development Programme (CSDP). In the contract, we have committed with Liebherr to implement local Supplier Development initiatives for a period of five years to ensure that in future South African companies will have the competence and expertise to manufacture component parts as well as fully-assembled cranes and other specialised maritime equipment,” Socikwa said.
