Durban – The Transnet National Port Authority Port of Durban has kicked off a multi-million-rand tug jetty expansion project which is set to increase marine fleet berthing space in order to handle the growing vessel sizes and reduce port turnaround time.
The R127 million construction project will be implemented in two segments, one being the establishment of a new 110m tug jetty adjacent and parallel to the existing jetty, and the second segment will be the extension of the existing tug jetty by 35m.
The construction activities commenced in May 2021 after the project was awarded to WBHO Construction (Pty) Ltd in February 2021 to execute the expansion.
"The aim for the construction is to increase port operational efficiencies and provide sufficient berthing space for all marine crafts. The second construction segment is scheduled to commence in June 2022 and plans to deepen the tug basin to 8m chart datum (CD) to accommodate all the tug sizes in the port will be featured. Upon completion of the first segment, the jetty will be handed over to the port’s Marine Department to be used to dock its marine fleet," said port engineer, Malefetsane Setaka.
He said the existing jetty will be decommissioned and handed over to the contractor to start with the extension and deepening of the old tug jetty.
"The provision of efficient marine services is one of TNPA’s core service offerings to the shipping industry. These services include providing a towage, docking and/or undocking services to vessels calling at and leaving the port. Therefore, efficiency of this service is dependent on a reliable fleet of tugs capable of delivering an agreed service level of above 85% to a wide range of vessels. With the plans currently being executed, the marine services function will operate efficiently in ensuring that the organisation delivers on the agreed service offering to clients," Setaka added.
The Port of Durban currently has marine craft as part of its marine fleet made up of; tugs, launches, pilot boats, punts, a debris collection boat, a floating crane and corporate craft (Isiponono).
As part of the organisational socio-economic mandate, it was a mandatory requirement that the tenderer sub-contracts at least 30% of the project to small businesses with a minimum of 51% owned by black people.
IOL