Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) last week celebrated a significant milestone, when the Port of Durban’s Maydon Wharf precinct serviced Bright Sky, the first vessel to use the common-user Berth 14 after its reconstruction.
Forming part of a six-berth reconstruction project at the port, both berths 13 and 14 are now fully operational, deeper and safer for bigger ships calling at the port.
Transnet Group Capital – which is executing this major project on behalf of TNPA – completed work on both berths within the project’s timeframe.
The R1.5-billion project to rebuild and deepen six berths at Maydon Wharf – berths 1 to 4 and berths 13 and 14 – was awarded to the Stefanutti Stocks Axsys JV in 2014.
Once completed, the berths will have a draught of 14.5 m, enabling them to handle vessels with draughts up to 13 m, making these berths the deepest in the Port of Durban. However, the Maydon Wharf access channel must still be deepened to enable deeper-draught vessel to sail in fully laden.
Built over 90 years ago, the Maydon Wharf precinct is one of the oldest cargo terminals and is the largest breakbulk and dry bulk handling precinct in the Port of Durban, covering 120 ha of port land.
The quay walls in the precinct were originally designed to handle vessels of about 20 000 deadweight tonnage versus the 55 000 deadweight tonnage now calling at the port.
The newly built quay walls will now have a lifespan of about 50 years.
The completion of the four berths – 1, 2, 13 and 14 – according to schedule has generated positive feedback from TNPA customers.
The project created 127 jobs and a skills development programme has resulted in the training of 206 people.
Its supplier development programme was 7% above target and contributed a total value of R273-million of the overall cost of the project. About R116-million of this was spent on national and regional suppliers and R83-million was spent on small business development.
The project to rebuild and repair all six berths at Maydon Wharf is expected to be completed by 2018.
