East London - Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown on Monday officially opened two additional berths at the Ngqura container terminal in the Eastern Cape.
“Operationally, this investment is significant to us as it strengthens the terminal's capability to handle larger container vessels, improve efficiencies, vessel turnaround times and customer satisfaction,” Brown said, according to a statement.
The investment of over R2 billion by Transnet Port Terminals and Transnet National Ports Authority, allowed for the building of berths three and four, for them to be deepened to 16m, and for the purchase of port equipment.
“It also ticks various crucial boxes in our government's developmental agenda while boosting the Eastern Cape's role in the broader economy,” she said.
Transnet spokesman Mboniso Sigonyela said Transnet would spend R30.1bn, expanding capacity in its Eastern Cape operations over the next seven years.
“In addition, Transnet has committed to relocate the manganese terminal currently situated at the Port Elizabeth port to the Port of Ngqura as it grows capacity to 16 million tonnes,” he said.
The terminal now employs about 825 permanent staff, from 150 in 2010.
Sapa