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Saldanha - Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) marked a historic milestone for its Saldanha operations this week.
August 18 2016 marked one billion tonnes of iron ore having passed through the highly mechanised Saldanha bulk terminal, SA's main iron ore export terminal.
Due to Saldanha having SA's largest natural anchorage port with the deepest water, the terminal was also where the first deliveries of iron ore were exported in September 1976.
Key TPT stakeholders, local and regional management gathered at the Saldanha terminal to celebrate milestone and acknowledge the hard work and dedication it took to achieve this record.
“Transnet Port Terminals is constantly looking to expand and strengthen our operations, so reaching such a large milestone is very significant for the company as a whole," said Robert van Rooyen, TPT Saldanha terminal manager.
"We are delighted with the success of the terminal and commitment that has been shown by the Saldanha TPT staff and management team that has seen us go from the terminal’s total handling capacity increasing gradually from 18 000 000 per annum in 1976 to where we are today at 60 000 000mt per annum – an increase of 233%."
Mineral cargo represents the biggest market for Transnet Port Terminals, a key player in the success of the sector. TPT said to support the SA economy and global trends as well as the growth of emerging miners, it has committed to investments that included the purchase of sophisticated bulk handling equipment as part of Transnet's 7-year market demand strategy (MDS) implemented in 2012.
As part of the MDS roll-out, R5.5bn was earmarked for the expansion of the Saldanha iron ore terminal.
“We don’t intend on slowing down and are focused on continuing to increase volumes and improve efficiencies so that we maintain our efforts to contribute to the Western Cape region and the country’s economy as a whole,” said Van Rooyen.
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