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Port Elizabeth - The deepwater harbour at Coega, positioned as an important container terminal in sub-Saharan Africa, will start business in October.
Nosipho Damasane, general manager (sales logistics and commercial) at Transnet Port Terminals, says that even though operations will not begin with as much fanfare as expected, because of the economic downturn, Transnet Port is committed to this date.
With the expected doubling in container volumes over the next eight years, Transnet has spent more than R8bn to date on the first phase, Transnet Port chief executive Solly Letsoalo announced in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.
Volumes through the port have declined by about 20% compared to a year ago, but it is expected that the new Coega harbour will still handle 50 000 TEUs (20-foot containers) over the first six months.
According to Transnet Port executive manager (container sector) Siya Mhlaluka, 800 000 TEUs/year can be handled in the first phase, and between 1.5m and 2.3m in the second phase.
Transshipping of containers for transport to the interior or other ports on the east and west coasts of Africa is a growing sector. Container ships have to wait up to two months before they can berth in Angolan harbours, and harbours in West Africa are also unable to accommodate such large container vessels. In this regard the Coega harbour, which can accommodate bessels with a sea gauge of 16.5m, will play an important role.
To transport goods from Coega to the interior of the country rail links are essential. According to Mhlaluka the basic rail infrastructure will be completed by August.
Letsoalo explains that the harbour compares favourably with the best in the world in terms of the size of the loading cranes (which can extend over 22 containers), the depth of the harbour, the number of mobile gantries and the length of the quay from which six loading cranes can operate.
- Sake24.com
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